The lion rock's amazing sister, just north of Sigiriya

Pidurangala is the less-known smaller sister or brother of Sigiriya. The steep monadnock of Pidurangala is located just 1.5 km north of the famous Lion Rock. Not many people know that the panoramic views from Pidurangala are even more amazing than from Sigiriya. Pidurangal, situated outside the city walls of Sigiriya, served as the Buddhist monastery of the famous Sigiriya-king Kassapa. Buddhist monks had formerly settled in the caves at the doot of the lion rock and had to be resettled when Kassapa founded his new capital here. He is said to have prayed to the sleeping Buddha of Pidurangala every day. This large statue near the top o the Pidurangala rock is another attraction rewarding the slightly strenuous climb of the stairways that starts at the modern monastery.

view from Pidurangala to Sigiriya

reclining Buddha on Sigiriya's neighbouring rock