Image title: Image Cave (detail)

This Image Cave which had been used as a dwelling for the Sangha during the first monastic phase had been converted into an Image House during the second monastic phase after Kasyapa. There is evidence of a second drip-ledge beyond the original drip-ledge, and of paintings drawn on the plastered interior rock face. The inscription here belongs to the 3-1 centuries B.C. It says that 'Abhijjhiya', son of chieftain 'Tiri' donated this cave. The limestone statue of the Buddha in the cave with its head missing belongs, on iconographic features, to the 7-8 centuries A.D.

For more details, see previous photo.

Gallery information:

These photos are taken at the Sigiriya rock in Sri Lanka. This archaeological important site dates to the 2nd century BC when it functioned as a monastery. In the fifth century, King Kassapa I transferred the administrative centre from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya in order to  rule from there. The on-site museum displays various artifacts and paintings found at the Sigiriya rock.