A Socio-historical Study of the Ayyanayake Belief

Abstract

Belief in Ayyanayake or Lord Villager has been found in Sri Lanka since ancient times. What needs to be clarified here is whether Sri Lanka's Lord Ayyanayake is worshipped, and if so, how. In the research study done on this deity, it should first be emphasized whether the deity is called by the name of Ayyanayake or by the name of Gambhara as it is known in Sri Lanka. The ideas about Ayyanayake Deva concept in India and about the famous Village God in Sri Lanka should be emphasized here, and there a special study should be done on his place in the pantheon, the role of the God, the nature of the representation of the God and mostly the things worshiped by the devotees. There, in the study of local and foreign literary sources, murals, sculptures and carvings, an analysis will be presented regarding some new data not found in their research, taking into account the ideologies presented by the scholars regarding the relevant concept. Accordingly, the concept of Ayyanayaka in India will be popularized in Sri Lanka under the name of village deity.