Pattini

In Sinhala belief, Pattini (also spelled as Paththini) is a guardian deity of Sri Lanka. Goddess Pattini is worshiped by both Buddhists and Hindus and is the patron goddess of fertility and health - particularly of smallpox, which is referred to as deviyange ledé ('the divine affliction') in the Sinhala language. According to Sinhala mythology, the Bodhisattva Pattini was incarnated as Kannagi in order to rid the Pandya kingdom of its evil three-eyed king. She was said to have been born of a mango fruit, which was cut down by the god Sakra with an arrow.

History

Goddess Pattini is the deification of Kannagi, who is the central character of the Tamil epic Silapadhikaram of Ilango Adigal, written in India 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. 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 annual 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 coconuts at each other.

Milk-mother's 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-givings) for her, called Kiri-amma dāna (Milk-mother's alms-giving).

Major Pattini Temples in Sri Lanka

Udammita - Kolawatta Pattini Maha dewalaya - (Nittambuwa to Veyangoda main road)
Madulla - Purana Pattini Maha Devalaya - Radhige wela,Madulla,Udapussellawa(Nuwara-Eliya District,Near Walapane.)
Dedigama
Kaduwela - Purana Rankadu Pattini Maha Devale
Maduwa Pattini Devale - The festival of the Pattini Devale is held annually during July–August season.
Madhu - From the time King Gaja Bahu I (114-136 CE) allegedly introduced the Pattini worship to Sri Lanka, Pattini temple was there in Madhu Church premises (Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu) for 1850 years.Hindus called it the Amman Temple. The nearby reservoir is still called Kovil Kulam (Reservoir of the Temple).According to the "Manual of the North Central Province", by R. W. Levers, 1889, present Madhu Church site had a "Pattini temple" till the 1850. The Catholic Shrine of Our Lady of Madhu was established in 1876 on the same temple premises.At present, no ruins of Pattini temple can not be found there.
Kandy - Pattini Devale is located to the west of Natha Devale close to Sri Dalada Maligawa premises.
Mullaitivu - This is said to be the first Pattini Temple in Sri Lanka.But, at present, no ruins have been found.
Medagoda (Sitawake)
Nawagamuwa Devale - This Devale is said to be built by king Rajasinha I (1581-1593). This is situated in Colombo to Avissawella Low level road. It is the principal cult centre for worship of the goddess.
Panama - 15 km South of Arugam Bay. It is the site of one of the few remaining ankeliya rituals.
Pattini Devale located close to the Saman Devale, Ratnapura
Seenigama -(Hikkaduwa) Originally the centre for Pattini worship, it is now the principal centre of Devol.
Wilbawa (Kurunegala)
Kabulumulla (One of the four major Pattini temples which the great 'Pattini Salamba' exists. This devale was built by King Rajasinghe I in 1582. This is situated in Colombo-Hatton rd. 15 km from Avissawella)

References

Bastin, Rohan (December 2002). The Domain of Constant Excess: Plural Worship at the Munnesvaram Temples in Sri Lanka. Berghahn Books. ISBN 1-57181-252-0.
Obeyesekera, Gananath (1984). The Cult of the Goddess Pattini. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-61602-9.