Pattini (, ,), is considered a guardian deity of Sri Lanka in

Sri Lankan Buddhism Theravada Buddhism is the largest and official religion of Sri Lanka, practiced by 70.2% of the population as of 2012. Practitioners of Sri Lankan Buddhism can be found amongst the majority Sinhalese population as well as among the minority ...

and Sinhalese folklore. She is also worshipped by Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus by the name of '' Kannaki Amman''. She is considered the patron goddess of fertility and health, particularly protection against

smallpox Smallpox was an infectious disease caused by variola virus (often called smallpox virus) which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus. The last naturally occurring case was diagnosed in October 1977, and the World Health Organization (WHO) c ...

, which is referred to as ''deviyange ledé'' ('the divine affliction') in the

Sinhala language Sinhala ( ; , ''siṁhala'', ), sometimes called Sinhalese (), is an Indo-Aryan language primarily spoken by the Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka, who make up the largest ethnic group on the island, numbering about 16 million. Sinhala is also s ...

History

Goddess Pattini is the deification of Kannagi, who is the central character of the

Tamil Tamil may refer to: * Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia ** Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils **Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia * Tamil language, na ...

epic '' Silapadhikaram'' of Ilango Adigal, written in

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after the 2nd Century CE. After a short time, it was introduced into Sri Lanka and absorbed earlier deities such as ''Kiri Amma'' ('milk mother'). Historians attribute the introduction of goddess Pattini to the island to Gajabahu I, a Sinhalese king who ruled Sri Lanka from 113 - 135 CE. As per some historians, the ''Silapathikaram'' mentions Gajabahu's presence at the consecration of a temple to Kannagi (identified as Pattini in this case) by the Chera king Senguttuvan.

Rituals

Pattini is honoured in annually fertility rites such as *''Gammaduwa'' (village rebirth) festivals, during which her myth is enacted. *'' Ankeliya'' (horn games) in which, as in the British game of Uppies and Downies, upper and lower teams compete. *''Porakeliya'' (fight games) during which two teams hurl

coconut The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus ''Cocos''. The term "coconut" (or the archaic "cocoanut") can refer to the whole coconut palm, the seed, or the f ...

s at each other.

Nursing mothers' alms-giving

Sinhalese people believe that diseases like chickenpox and measles are punishments by God for frailty. In such events as the goddess of healing they pray to Pattini Devi. When a family member is infected, they hold Dānas (

alms Alms (, ) are money, food, or other material goods donated to people living in poverty. Providing alms is often considered an act of virtue or charity. The act of providing alms is called almsgiving, and it is a widespread practice in a numbe ...

-givings) for her, called ''Kiri-ammāwarungè dānaya'' (Nursing mothers' alms-giving).

Pattini temples in Sri Lanka

References

External links

Website of Kubulumulla Pattini Devalaya

Nawagamuwa Pattini Devalaya
{{Authority control Sinhalese Buddhist deities Goddesses