​Apsara from Sigiriya - 5th century frescoes

​Apsara from Sigiriya - 5th century frescoes - Photo - Ranga Sai - VPV visited during his school time

The Sigiriya Apsaras: Timeless Beauties of Sri Lanka’s Sky Palace

Rising dramatically from the plains of central Sri Lanka, the ancient rock fortress of Sigiriya—often called the "Lion Rock"—is one of the country's most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1982. Perched high on its western face lies a hidden artistic treasure: the Sigiriya Apsaras, a series of mesmerizing frescoes that have enchanted historians, artists, and travelers for centuries.

These 5th-century paintings, created during the reign of King Kashyapa, depict sensuous, life-sized women adorned in intricate jewelry and diaphanous garments. Thought to represent royal courtiers, priestesses, or celestial nymphs (apsaras) from Buddhist and Hindu traditions, their graceful gestures and serene expressions float against a backdrop of stylized clouds, embodying elegance, spirituality, and mystery.
The Sigiriya frescoes are considered masterpieces of early South Asian art and are believed to have inspired later works such as the famed Ajanta cave paintings in India. Once covering much of the rock’s western surface, it’s estimated that nearly 500 figures originally adorned the cliff. Today, only about 20 remain, preserved in a naturally protected alcove.
What makes the Sigiriya Apsaras truly remarkable is not just their aesthetic beauty, but their technical brilliance. Created using natural pigments and a true fresco technique, the paintings exhibit fluid lines, dynamic movement, and a luminous quality that has survived over 1,500 years of weather and time.
More than just ancient decoration, the Apsaras of Sigiriya are powerful symbols of Sri Lanka’s rich cultural and artistic legacy—an ethereal echo of a golden age, captured forever on stone and sky. 

inspiration - VPV