The Terrace Gardens of Sigiriya

Overview:

The third set of gardens, the Terrace Gardens, have been compared to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon,for they represent a series of ever-smaller landings, leading to the base of the Sigiriya Rock. The Terrace Gardens are fashioned out of the natural hill at the base of the rock by the construction of  a series of rubble-retaining walls, each terrace rising above the other and running in a roughly concentric plan around the rock.

As with the split boulder arch, there are also two main paths leading through the Terrace Gardens. The first, shown in the photo above, is the main path which follows a more or less straight path to the rock from the west gate. The photo to the left shows the steps at the southern end of the Terrace Garden complex, and give one more a feel for the many different terrace levels contained in the garden. The same intricate system of hydraulics found in the Water Gardens are also evident here. The upper levels of the Terrace Gardens also served as a pleasure garden for King Kasyapa, and the stairs were cooled by perfumed water. The king of course would not have to trudge down the 900+ stairs from the Lion Staircase, but would be borne in a litter. Once he was there, the cooled steps ensured his comfort while enjoying the Terrace Gardens. As the photo to the right indicates, the current occupants of these pleasure gardens are a good deal less picky about their living conditions!