The way is narrow & the path is steep, indeed

Dizzying heights, mist and isolation seem to fuel humankind's spiritual quests, and it is no surprise that we find monasteries suspended above deep valleys where the air is clearer even when it is foggier.

Partly castles, partly unconquerable fortifications, these ancient sites have one thing in common - there are built on steep cliffs, often accessible only by secret paths, and provide the utmost seclusion and serene surroundings, so valued in true spiritual devotion.

Some of these monasteries we've covered already (see, for example Sumela in Turkey and a hiking path to the sacred places on Mt. Huashan in China). Now we're going to add more pilgrimage destinations to the list. The accessibility of some of these places has considerably improved due to the relentless progress of civilization, which is perhaps not a good thing for those seeking the original peace and quiet.


1. Sigiriya, Sri Lanka - The Lion Mountain

Build on a "magma plug" outstanding rock, a remnant of an ancient volcano, the sacred city of Sigiriya contains the ruins of the palace and the temple, dating back to 500 AD. Even older times (about the 3rd century BC) saw this rock as a site for a mountain monastery of the devotees to the Buddhist Sangha. Their caves still pepper the vertical walls, hardly accessible in their overhanging 370m height.


(image credit: Sri Lanka Island Tours)




(images credit: Travellanka)

(image credit: Hanako Satou)

Some rocks and the Sigiriya City in the background:

(image credit: Chinthaka Senanayake)

The whole western face of the rock (140 meters long and 40 meters high) at one time has been covered with paintings: "The whole face of the hill appears to have been a gigantic picture gallery... the largest picture in the world perhaps" (quote from John Still in 1907). Colorful frescos were painted with the special mixture of eggyolk and wild honey, and depict royal princess' procession and exotic offerings. A few frescos were obliterated by the zealous monks, so as not to disturb meditation.



Steep cliffs drop on all sides, commanding an ultimate view of surrounding plains & mountains:

(image credit: Munir Squires)

(image credit: Wiki)

Stairs leading to the Mirror Wall.
Literally, "Stairway to Heaven" for the ancient monks.

(image credit: Wiki)

The sacred mountain did not remain sacred for all the years of its history. The Pleasure Palaces build by the "mad king" Kasyapa held the "health spa" and the harem for his 500 wives. At one time it was also a capital city of Ceylon. By the time Arthur Clarke wrote about it in his "Fountains of Paradise" it was a secluded monastery again. (obviously not so secluded any more due to the hordes of tourists. Besides it is UNESCO site with hordes of archaeologists, as well)

Don't look down...

(image credit: Munir Squires)

More local danger:

(image credit: Ben D. Johnson)

: Jika anda mempunyai sebarang cadangan atau pandangan mengenai Artikel / 'Poasting' di atas, Kami mengalu-alukan komen anda kepada kami. [ sebarang aduan, cadangan, pendapat, rencana atau sebagainya ]

try , Sabtu, Oktober 06, 2007 | 0 komentar ::

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