Abstract
The Mahāvaṃsa contains a significant description of the faiths and beliefs of Pre-Buddhist Sri Lanka. The belief of Yakśa and Yakśani has been a major among these faiths. The Yakśa and Yakśani beliefs of Sri Lanka are often similar to the Hindu beliefs of ancient India. The purpose of having these kinds of rituals is to generate wealth. In Hinduism, Śiva and Pāravtī appear under other aliases in the chronicles of Sri Lanka. The goddess Pārvatī appears as Valavamukhī, and it is clear from the chronicles that Śivika Śāla was associated with Śiva Linga. Hence, worship of Śiva was established in Sri Lanka. The remanence of Yakśa belief in Pre-Buddhist Sri Lanka was present after the arrival of Buddhism, and it is clear that the carvings of Yakśas and Yakśanis are found in several places in Sri Lanka. The Yakśa images in Abhayagirya, Yakśani images of Kubera in Dhakkina thūpa in Anurādhapura, and Kaṇṭaka chaitya in Mihintalē could be considered worthy examples.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
