For religion in the island country of Sri Lanka, people worship and respect a powerful god called "à Ârë Siddha Sà «niyam Deviyo". It is believed that this god bears dual sides in his personality. During the bright lunar fortnight (à Âukla PakÃÂa), the Benevolent (Ardha Deva) aspect of Sà «niyam Deviyo becomes prominent, while in the dark lunar fortnight (Kà ÂÃÂà Âa PakÃÂa), his Malevolent (Ardha YakÃÂa) side gets prominent. His Benevolent side always results in the betterment and protection of the virtuous people, while the wicked ones gets severely punished and destroyed by the darker personality of this powerful deity. It is also strongly believed that he travels in the night throughout the country from village to village to help the righteous and discipline the sinful, mounted on his white stallion (Turaga) vehicle (VÃÂhana), giving rise to a fragrance of jasmine smelled throughout his en route. If a dog barks at him during this traveling, the unfortunate animal will be thrashed with his "Solu" weapon (ÃÂyudha), that results in the paralysis of its hind legs and death of the poor dog. In Sanskrit "Sà «na" means born, produced, bringing forth, etc. In contrast to the meaning of "Sà «na", "Sà «nÃÂ" denotes a meaning of a place for slaughtering animals, slaughter-house, butchery, killing, hurting, injuring, imminent death, danger of life, etc. That might refer connotatively to the Malevolent (Ardha YakÃÂa) side of Sà «niyam Deviyo.
First, one should have a bath and dress with clean and white garments. Then, the person should observe Buddhist "Tisaraà Âa"and "Pañca à Âëla". Next, a coconut oil lamp should be lighted along with white flowers in a well cleaned place, which is sprinkled with rose water, fumigated with gum benzoin (SÃÂmbhrÃÂni) and scented with burning of camphor (Karpà «ra). Lastly, the prayers (Deva Stotra) should be recited. The timings for this, is given in the table below.<br />
It is recommended to worship Sà «niyam Deviyo specially during "Kemmura" days, such as Wednesdays and Saturdays. While worshiping Sà «niyam Deviyo, one should place his or her hands on his or her chest. As the lighted lamp radiates the light, similarly the compassion radiates from the bottom of one's heart will attract the favors of this powerful deity.
The person, who worships this powerful Sà «niyam Deviyo, should have the following personal attributes.
To give merits () to Sà «niyam Deviyo, one should recite the following