Kandy Pattini Devale | AmazingLanka.com

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Pattini Devale in Kandy (මහනුවර පත්තිනි දේවාලය) — Pattini Devale in Kandy

Standing west of Natha Devale, Kandy’s historic Pattini Devale honors the goddess of chastity and healing. This four-century-old shrine, featured in ancient epics and royal processions, boasts elegant Kandyan architecture. Devotees visit this sacred rectangular structure to seek protection from disease, famine, and drought through divine blessings.

The Pattini Devale, dedicated to the goddess Pattini, is located to the west of the Natha Devale. In earlier times, the two shrines were separated by a cross-road known as Et Vidiya, or “Elephant Street,” which no longer exists. Although the exact origins of the devale remain unknown, there is little doubt that it is at least four centuries old, as Robert Knox refers to the perahera of the Pattini Devale during the reign of King Rajasinghe II (1635–1687).

The Goddess Pattini and Her Cultural Value

Pattini, revered as the goddess of chastity, has long been and continues to be one of the most popular deities among the rural population of Sri Lanka. Though she originated as a South Indian goddess, her veneration became even more widespread on the island. Her virtues are celebrated in the Tamil epic Cilappadikaram, composed in the 2nd century, as well as in several Sinhalese poetic works from the 18th and 19th centuries.

According to the Cilappadikaram, one of the earliest known shrines dedicated to a deity in Sri Lanka was constructed by King Gajabahu in the 2nd century CE, enshrining the golden anklet of Pattini. Numerous shrines dedicated to her are found throughout the country. Among them, apart from the well-known shrine at Navagamuwa Pattini Devale in the Colombo District, the Pattini Devale in Kandy is considered one of the most significant.

Religious Role and Beliefs

Pattini is believed to bestow various forms of protection and blessings upon devotees. She is particularly associated with the healing of infectious and childhood diseases and is also invoked during times of drought and famine.

Folklore and Origins

According to local folklore, the statue of Pattini housed in this devale was brought from the Malagammana Pattini Devalaya. Even today, the statues at Malagammana and Kandy are said to bear a close resemblance. If this tradition is accurate, the origins of the Kandy Pattini Devale may date back to the 16th century (Abeyawardhana, 2004).

Design of the Shrine

The devale in Kandy dedicated to Pattini is a modest, rectangular structure built on a traditional stone platform. The shrine itself is located at the southern end of the building, similar to the layout of the Natha Devale. This differs from the arrangement seen at the Maha Devale, where the shrine is positioned at the northern end, and the Kataragama Devale, where it is situated at the western end.

The structure comprises four compartments and is topped with a characteristic Kandyan-style roof, lending a simple yet elegant appearance to the building.

References

Seneviratna, A., 1983. Kandy: an Illustrated Survey of Ancient Monuments With Historical, Archaeological and Literary Descriptions Including Maps of the City and Its Suburbs. Colombo: Central Cultural Fund, Ministry of Cultural Affairs.
Abeyawardhana, H. A. P. (2004) Heritage of Kandurata: Major Natural, Cultural, and Historic Sites. Kandy: Kandurata Development Bank, in association with the Central Bank of Sri Lanka.

Also See

Kandy – The Last Kingdom of Sinhale

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Traveling Directions to Kandy Pattini Devale

Kandy can be reached from Colombo via the old Colombo-Kandy road (option 1), which is scenic but heavily congested, especially on Fridays and Sundays. However, the new Central Expressway (option 2) has opened up a new route, which is longer but less cumbersome.

Route 1 from Colombo to Kandy	Route 2 from Colombo to Kandy
Through: Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance: 100 km Travel Time: 3.0 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.	Through: Warakapola – Kegalle – Kadugannawa Distance: 121 km Travel Time: 4.15 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.
Route From Nuwara Eliya to Kandy
Through : Walapane – Raja Mawatha Distance: 100 km Travel Time: 3.0 hours Driving Directions: see on Google Maps.