Pattini (, ) is considered a guardian deity of Sri Lanka in both Sri Lankan Buddhism and Sinhalese folklore. She is also worshipped by Sri Lankan Tamil Hindus under the name

Kannaki Amman Kannagi (), sometimes spelled Kannaki, is a legendary Tamil people, Tamil woman who forms the central character of the Tamil epic poetry, epic ''Cilappatikāram''. Kannagi is described as a chaste woman who stays with her husband despite his adu ...

. Pattini is regarded as the patron goddess of fertility and health, especially as a protector 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 (W ...

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

History

Goddess Pattini is the deified form of

Kannaki Kannagi (), sometimes spelled Kannaki, is a legendary Tamil woman who forms the central character of the Tamil epic '' Cilappatikāram''. Kannagi is described as a chaste woman who stays with her husband despite his adultery, their attempt to r ...

, the central character of the Tamil epic ''

Cilappatikaram ''Cilappatikāram'' ( IPA: ʧiləppət̪ikɑːrəm, ''lit.'' "the Tale of an Anklet"), also referred to as ''Silappathikaram'' or ''Silappatikaram'', is the earliest Tamil epic. It is a poem of 5,730 lines in almost entirely ''akaval'' (''aciri ...

'', composed by

Ilango Adigal Ilango Adigal (a title, literally "prince ascetic", fl. c. 4th-6th century CE) was a Jain monk, belonging to the Chera royal family, from the city of Vanchi. He is traditionally credited as the author of the epic poem Cilappatikaram (the So ...

south India South India, also known as Southern India or Peninsular India, is the southern part of the Deccan Peninsula in India encompassing the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana as well as the union territories of ...

after the 2nd century CE. The worship of Pattini was introduced to

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka, officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, also known historically as Ceylon, is an island country in South Asia. It lies in the Indian Ocean, southwest of the Bay of Bengal, separated from the Indian subcontinent, ...

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 Gajabahu I (, ), also known as Gajabahuka Gamani (c. 113 – 135 CE), was a Sinhalese people, Sinhalese king of Rajarata in Sri Lanka. He is renowned for his military prowess, religious benefactions, extensive involvement in South Indian politi ...

, 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 The Chera dynasty ( or Cēra, ), also known as Keralaputra, from the early historic or the Sangam period in Tamil-speaking southern India, ruled over parts of present-day states Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The Cheras, known as one of the mu-ventar ...

king

Cenkuttuvan Chenkuttuvan (c. 180 CE, literally 'the Righteous Kuttuvan'), title Kadal Pirakottiya, identified with Kadalottiya Vel Kezhu Kuttuvan, was the most celebrated Chera ruler of early historic South India. He is also mentioned in Chilappathikaram, ...

Rituals

Pattini is honored in annual

fertility rite Fertility rites are religious rituals that are intended to stimulate reproduction in humans or in the natural world. A group of people performing such rites is a fertility cult. Such rites may involve the sacrifice of "a primal animal, which must b ...

s such as: *''Gammaduwa'' (the village rebirth) festivals, during which the Pattini myth is dramatized. *''Ankeliya'' (the horn games), where teams—similar to the British "

Uppies and Downies Uppies and Downies is a version of Hand Ba game, with roots in even earlier games, played in Workington, West Cumbria, England. The modern tradition began some time in the latter half of the 19th century, with the match played annually at Easter ...

"—compete in a contest. *''Porakeliya'' (the fight games), during which two teams hurl

coconut The coconut tree (''Cocos nucifera'') is a member of the palm tree family (biology), 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, ...

s at each other.

Nursing mothers' alms-giving

The Sinhalese people believe that diseases like

chickenpox Chickenpox, also known as varicella ( ), is a highly contagious disease caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV), a member of the herpesvirus family. The disease results in a characteristic skin rash that forms small, itchy blisters, which ...

and

measles Measles (probably from Middle Dutch or Middle High German ''masel(e)'', meaning "blemish, blood blister") is a highly contagious, Vaccine-preventable diseases, vaccine-preventable infectious disease caused by Measles morbillivirus, measles v ...

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-givings) 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 aluwa, 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 Lord 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

References

External links

Website of Kubulumulla Pattini Devalaya
{{Authority control Sinhalese Buddhist deities Buddhist goddesses