Pattini (, ) is considered a guardian deity of Sri Lanka in both Sri Lankan Buddhism and Sinhalese people folklore. She is also worshipped by Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus under the name Kannaki Amman.
Pattini is regarded as the patron goddess of fertility and health, especially as a protector against smallpox, which is referred to in Sinhala language as deviyange ledé ("the divine affliction").
History
Goddess Pattini is the deified form of
Kannaki, the central character of the Tamil epic
Cilappatikaram, composed by
Ilango Adigal in
south India after the 2nd century CE.
The worship of Pattini was introduced to
Sri Lanka shortly thereafter, where it absorbed earlier local deities such as Kiri Amma ("the Milk Mother"). Historians attribute the introduction of Goddess Pattini to
Gajabahu I, a Sinhalese ruler who reigned in Sri Lanka from 113 to 135 CE. According to some historians, the
Cilappatikaram mentions Gajabahu's presence at the consecration of a temple to Kannaki (identified with Pattini) by the
Chera dynasty king
Chenkuttuvan.
Rituals
Pattini is honored in annual
such as:
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Gammaduwa (the village rebirth) festivals, during which the Pattini myth is dramatized.
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Ankeliya (the horn games), where teams—similar to the British "Uppies and Downies"—compete in a contest.
-
Porakeliya (the fight games), during which two teams hurl at each other.
Nursing mothers' alms-giving
The Sinhalese people believe that diseases like
chickenpox and
measles are punishments by the gods for human frailty. During such illnesses, they pray to Pattini Devi, the Goddess of Healing. When a family member is infected, they hold dānas (
Alms) in her honor, called
Kiri-ammāwarungè dānaya (the Nursing Mothers' Alms-Giving).
As part of the ritual, Sri Lankan Sinhalese families first invite seven or more (in multiples of seven) virtuous women known for their good behavior. They then prepare traditional dishes such as Kiriya (a sweet dish similar to Dodol, made from pure coconut milk, jaggery, treacle, and sometimes plums and cashew nuts), Kavum (Sri Lankan oil cake), milk Halva, and milk rice. All these dishes are made using milk, which is considered a symbol of good fortune. Plantains are also included.
On the day of the alms-giving, the food is first offered to The Buddha and Goddess Pattini. Afterwards, the invited women are served. The ceremony concludes with the reading of the ancient text Pattini Halla and the chanting of verses dedicated to goddess Pattini.
Pattini temples in Sri Lanka
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| Madulla Paththini Devalaya | | Madulla | Nuwara Eliya | Central | An ancient devala built by king Rajasinghe II. | |
| Gagula Sri Sudharshana Pattini Devalaya | | | | | One of the oldest Pattini temples on the western coast of Sri Lanka. | |
| Mee Gaha Kovila Pattini Devalaya | | | | | Oldest Pattini temple located in the city of Panadura. It is named after the large Mee tree found within its premises. The temple also has several large tamarind trees. | |
See also
Further reading
External links
