The Goddess Pattini and the Burning of Madurai
Pattini, revered by both Sinhalese Buddhists and Tamil Hindus, originates from Kannaki, the chaste heroine of the Tamil epic Cilappatikaram. Kannaki's husband Kovalan was unjustly executed in Madurai for allegedly stealing the queen's anklet. To prove his innocence, Kannaki revealed her ruby-filled anklet (the queen's contained pearls). Enraged by the injustice, she tore off her left breast and hurled it at the city, setting Madurai ablaze. The gods elevated her to goddesshood and resurrected Kovalan. King Gajabahu I (2nd century CE) is believed to have brought her cult to Sri Lanka, where she