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ALPHABETICAL QUIDE TO SINHALESE FOLKLORE
Alphabet. The Akuru-upata, “ Origin of Latters," states that Säkra, Visnu, and Isvara together invented the word Svasti prefixed to the alphabet in the phrasę Svasti Siddham; and that in the final phrase iti Siddhir astu the word iti was written by Brahma.
The vowels are invoked in certain rites, see Hat Adiya. See also Kaksaya.
Alut Bandara. A god, said to have trapped Kalu Bandara's black leopard (see Kalu Bandara) Invoked in Gange-bandara-kavi. See also Devel Devi and Gangê Bandara.
Alut Deyi. A demon, said to possess men on Sunday, and to bathe on Monday, and to have built the Mâlika temple at Kivale-gedara. [A-.d.-kavi.] Invoked in Kande-bandarakavi as making a round stone rampart, surrounding himself with flames, and wearing a bondi chaplet. Invoked in Devatar-kavi (as helping and strengthening hunters in chasing deer), and in Kiri-amma-kavi and Samagam-mal-yahan. Worshipped with betel, etc., in Dalu-mura-yahan-kavi. See Devalar Bandara.
Alut Kosamba Devi. A spirit, invoked in Vädli-yak-yadinna; connected with the legend of Kalu Bandara's black leopard (800 Kalu Bandara).
Alut-nuvara Devi. Invoked in Nayi-natavana-kavi. Alut Pattini, Alut-teda Pattini. See Pattini.
Alut Unambuve Bandara. A god invoked in Kande-banlara-kavi as born in Alut Unambuva receiving offerings of flowers and silk, and wearing a white robe and hat.
Ämati Vadi. A spirit, invoked in Värli-santiya. Amaya. A goddess, dwelling in the magic mat (see Afa Magula). Ämbakke Devatar Bandara. A god invoked in Gange-banlara-kavi.
Ambanvala Rala Devi. A spirit invoked in Kande-banlara-kavi as having formerly been one of the Bandara family.
Amba Pattini. See Pattini. Ambara. A Rsi who took part in healing the Sun and Moon (see Limes).
Ambarapoti (Abara poti). A spirit, mistress of Hadaganâva; she protects Kalu Kumara, 9.v. Kalu-kumara-kavi). Invoked in Alut-devi-kavi. The 4.-upata says that in her previous birth she was a queen, whom a treacherous Visal minister caused to be condemned to death. She was thrown, with a stone tied round her neck, into the Kalu-ganga and drowned, and then reborn as a goddess, who made a stone boat and landed at Madakalappu (Batticaloa), and bestowed favours on Buttale, Virli-rata, Bintanna, and the Uda-rata. She is here stated to have built a temple on the Pälava rock, and to have a famous sanctuary at Vidanagama; on the former she plays at ball, throwing into the air 3 sets of 7 balls each. An A.-devi-kavi adds that she has a temple at Dodan vela and haunts Gavara-eliya; another of the same name adds that she swims on the sea at Mannarama, flits round Kabara-vila, and blows a pipe like a Sabara.
Amu-siri Kadavara. An A.-8.-k.-kavi describes this "Raw Blood Demon” as killing and restoring to life, having the authority of the Mala Raja, carrying a silken cloth, & turban, and a blade of illuk grass, and hunting at the ford of Kalu-gamuva; cocks, blood, and parched grain are offered to him. He is worshipped with betel, etc., in Dalu-muravahan-kavi. He appears to be a form of Riri yaka (q.v.). The A.-8.-k.-kavi states that he rests on a lotus and twines garlands; he has thousands of attendants, and is lord of this world; he haunts Udavatta, Gampala-vela, Kuda Maru-gala, and the ford of Kalugomuva; he kills and restores to life ; he receives offerings of blood and rice; he carries in his right
