Study of Rituals performed towards Dedimunda Dewatha Bandara in Aluth Nuwara Dewalaya in the Sabaragamuwa District,Sri Lanka

Abstract

Aluth Nuwara Dewalaya is situated in the Sabaragamuwa district in Sri Lanka . Reputed as a powerful god, Dedimuda Dewatha Bandara is considered protecting the Budda Sasana in the country. Sri Lankans belive that the god has the power of healing mortal illness, eradicating evil forces and giving hopes of babies to married women. Sri Lankan people make regular visit to the dewalaya to get blessing from Dadimunda Dewatha Bandara. The paper aims at discussing the origin of Dadimunda Dewatha Bandara and the Dewalaya, rituals performed by the devotees to the to the Dewalaya and the god. Secondary data was collected from literature reviews while primary data was collected through the chief prist of the Dewalaya, Damsiri Karunanake. Direct observation methord contributed in collecting additional primary data.