The Gallup poll in 2008 found that Sri
Lanka was the third most religious country in the world. The report stated that
99% of Sri Lankans said that religion is an important part of their day to day
lives. The second part of my four part blog on religions in Sri Lanka is on
Hinduism, the second most popular religion in Sri Lanka. Although Hinduism was
the main religion in Sri Lanka before Buddhism was introduced to the country in
the 3rd century, only 16.6% of Sri Lankans currently follow
Hinduism.
Hindu legend states that Sri Lanka was
formed when the God of Wind and Air, Vayu, after being persuaded by Sage Narada,
blew strong winds at Mount Meru, the mountain where the Gods lived, and caused the
top of the mountain to fall into the sea forming the island of Sri Lanka. This
led people to believe that the island’s beauty is because it once was the home
of Gods.
The Hindu God Vayu |
Sri Lanka also plays a large role in the great
Hindu epic Ramayana [Rama’s Journey] which consists of 24,000 verses in seven
books that follow the story of Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and his
conquest of Sri Lanka to save his wife Sita [the avatar of Goddess Lakshmi], who
was abducted by Ravana the demon King of Lanka. The epic also talks of a bridge made between
India and Sri Lanka which was said to have been constructed by Rama and
Hanuman. Although Rama’s bridge was thought not to exist, recent satellite imagery
by NASA has found this ancient 1,750,000 year old man made bridge. There is
also archaeological evidence that proves that Lord Shiva was worshipped in Sri
Lanka from prehistoric times, before the arrival of Prince Vijaya.
Rama [right] fighting the Demon King Ravana [left] |
Statues of Rama [center], Sita [right], Lakshmana [left] and Hanuman, the monkey God at the Sita Amman Kovil in Nuwara Eliya. The place where ravana kept Sita when she was abducted. |
The NASA satellite imagery of Rama's Bridge connecting India and Sri Lanka |
Although there was a decline in Hinduism
after the introduction of Buddhism to the country, Hinduism’s survival in Sri
Lanka was largely due to invasions by the South Indian and the Oriya rulers
that led to the migration of people from the South of India that brought Hindu
religious practice and tradition to Sri Lanka. A strand of Hinduism called
Shaivism, which focuses on the devotional worship of Lord Shiva is what is
dominantly practiced by the Hindus in Sri Lanka. Consequently, most of the
Hindu temple architecture and philosophy is influenced by this particular
strand of Hinduism.
Even though Hinduism is not the dominant
religion in Sri Lanka, it has had a great influence in the country’s history
and traditions. Many Buddhist temples also have shrines of Hindu Gods such as
Skanda, Vishnu and Ganesha as well as Hindu Deities such as Paththini and
Ayyanayake. Most Hindu traditions in Sri Lanka are very similar to those found
in South India such as Kavadi Attam [penance dancing] and Tee Midi [Fire
walking] which can be seen when visiting Kovils [Hindu Temples] and while
watching their processions.
Kavadi Dancers |
Lamps lit for Deepavali |
There
are many prominent Hindu Temples in Sri Lanka. Many were destroyed during the
period when the Portuguese ruled over the country but were rebuilt later on
during the British Colonial Rule and after the country gained independence.
Some of these are the Naguleswaram Kovil in Keerimalai [North of Jaffna], the
Ketheeswaram Kovil in Mannar, the Koneswaram Kovil in Trincomale and the
Muneswaram Kovil the Puttlam District. The Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna
and the newly built Ponnabalvaneswaram Kovil in Colombo are also important to
the Hindus in Sri Lanka. The Kataragama Kovil dedicated to Lord Murukan [or
Skanda] is also frequented by most Sri Lankans whether they are Hindus,
Buddhists or Christians.
The Naguleswaram Kovil |
The Nallur Kandaswamy Kovil in Jaffna |
Hinduism
and Buddhism are very different religions, but they are also very similar in many
ways. Many Buddhists often worship Hindu Gods and deities as well. Although
less than a quarter of the country’s population is Hindu, the religion has had a
great influence on Sri Lanka’s culture and tradition.
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