Pattini
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.
Pattini is regarded as the patron goddess of fertility and health, especially as a protector against smallpox, which is referred to in Sinhala as deviyange ledé.
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. 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 by the Chera king Cenkuttuvan.Rituals
Pattini is honored in annual fertility rites such as:- Gammaduwa festivals, during which the Pattini myth is dramatized.
- Ankeliya, where teams—similar to the British "Uppies and Downies"—compete in a contest.
- Porakeliya, during which two teams hurl coconuts at each other.
Nursing mothers' alms-giving
As part of the ritual, Sri Lankan Sinhalese families first invite seven or more virtuous women known for their good behavior. They then prepare traditional dishes such as Kiriya, Kavum, 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.