Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka

I recall that Sigiriya was already a prominent tourist destination during my first visit in the 1970s, attracting almost all tour groups as well as independent travelers. Nowadays, however, a sheer multitude of people head there and climb the rock—at least as far as the so-called "Cloud Maidens." Photography is no longer permitted there. I assume this is primarily for safety reasons; the constant stream of tourists cannot be repeatedly halted, given the many staircases and winding steps along steel scaffolding that must be climbed. On the other hand, there is no other way to prevent tourists from taking snapshots with cameras that automatically trigger a flash. Long-term, cumulative exposure to camera flashes could damage the delicate natural pigments of the frescoes. The Federal Foreign Office in Berlin warns tourists in Sri Lanka against photographing the Sigiriya Cloud Maiden frescoes, as it is strictly prohibited and could result in severe penalties and the confiscation of the camera. It is fortunate that I was able to take photos (without flash) over 40 years ago, though the results are modest at the least. One can view replicas of the frescoes in the museum without climbing the rock itself. This also leaves time to admire the landscaped gardens.

Pidurangala Rock (පිදුරංගල) is often recommended as an alternative [1]; this rock is located about 1 km north of Sigiriya Rock. Both are made of solid granite. And yes, at Pidurangala Rock, too, one sees frescoes during the ascent—which is much shorter—plus it is cheaper and less crowded. At the summit lie the remains of a fortress commissioned by King Kassapa between 477 and 495 AD. A fantastic destination, but it is not Sigiriya! 

Sigiriya Rock—meaning "Lion Rock" (Sinhala: සීගිරිය, Tamil: சிகிரியா/சிங்ககிரி)—can be considered a landmark of Sri Lanka. The rock stands approximately 180 meters high [2] and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Its name derives from a colossal lion sculpture; the paws of this figure can still be admired halfway up the rock face. King Kassapa I began his reign in 473 AD after killing his father, King Dhatusena—a ruler who, according to one guidebook, was buried alive [3]. The rightful heir to the throne was Moggallana (Mugallan). Fearing him, Kassapa I relocated his royal residence to the rock and also had a second fortress built on nearby Pidurangala Rock. Moggallana returned from exile in South India in 491 and defeated Kassapa. He subsequently restored Anuradhapura as the capital; thus, while Sigiriya served as the royal seat for less than twenty years, its splendor endures to this day.

There is ample space atop the rock, so the crowds of tourists are barely noticeable. Little has changed up there over the years.

Links and Annotations:
[1] http://mimiinwanderland.de/pidurangala-rock-die-bessere-alternative-zum-beruehmten-sigiriya-rock/ 
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigiriya and https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sigiriya 
[3] Apa Guides: Sri Lanka. Hongkong 1995. ISBN: 3-8268-1362-6. S. 205.

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