Devol (also spelled as Dewol) is a deity subjected to worship and belief in

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

. He is one of the twelve deities worshiped in Sri Lanka as "Dolos Deviyo" (twelve gods), who are believed to be intervening in the affairs of the worldlings. The practice of the worship of Devol deviyo or the cult of Devol is widespread among the

Sinhalese Sinhala may refer to: * Something of or related to the Sinhalese people of Sri Lanka * Sinhalese people * Sinhala language Sinhala ( ; , ''siṁhala'', ), sometimes called Sinhalese (), is an Indo-Aryan languages, Indo-Aryan language prima ...

, specially in the Southwestern lowlands and coastal areas of the country. Devotees who make offerings at the shrines and perform rituals usually seek vengeance, benevolence and prosperity from the deity to solve their day to day problems. The Seenigama shrine consecrated to God Devol, on the Galle - Colombo main road located in close proximity to the

Hikkaduwa Hikkaduwa is a small town on the south coast of Sri Lanka located in the Southern Province, about north-west of Galle and south of Colombo. Etymology The name Hikkaduwa is thought to have been derived from the two words ''Sip Kaduwa'', with ' ...

town has become a popular destination of the devotees as well as the local and foreign tourists who visit Hikkaduwa area.

Major shrines

''Seenigama Devalaya'', situated in Seenigama,

is a popular shrine dedicated to Devol deviyo, which is the destination of people who comes to make offerings to the deity.Seenigama Devalaya
Amazing Lanka Seenigama Devalaya consists of two shrines, a shrine located in the mainland at the entrance and an ancient shrine which located in a small island that is separated from main land by the coastal waters. Another major shrine dedicated to the deity, known as ''Welle devalaya'' (Shrine of the beach) is situated in

Unawatuna Unawatuna is a coastal town in Galle district of Sri Lanka. Unawatuna is a major tourist attraction in Sri Lanka and known for its beach and corals. It is a suburb of Galle, about southeast to the city center and approximately south of Colombo. ...

Galle Galle ( si, ගාල්ල, translit=Gālla; ta, காலி, translit=Kāli) (formerly Point de Galle) is a major city in Sri Lanka, situated on the southwestern tip, from Colombo. Galle is the provincial capital and largest city of Southern ...

. An annual Esala festival is held for several days with the attendance of thousands of devotees at the Unawatuna Wella devalaya in the month of July/ August There is another devalaya down in Weragoda, close to Ginthota where the baton of the 'Devol deviyo' is believed to be buried. * Seenigama devalaya, Seenigama,

* Wella devalaya,

* Weragoda devalaya, Ginthota

Devol Maduwa

Devol Maduwa or Devol Madu is a traditional low country Sinhalese dance that is practiced to propitiate Devol deity. This ritual is performed by the villagers to re-enact the arrival of Devol deity to Sri Lanka. By performing this ritual villagers expect good luck, expelling evil spirits and protection from epidemics.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Seenigama Temple
Sinhalese Buddhist deities

Major shrines

Devol Maduwa

See also

References

External links