Devoteesof the folk deity Goddess Pattini hold almsgiving to seven mothers in the weehours of the morning to seek blessings against evil and bad karma. Pattini isconsidered as a  guardian deity of Buddhism and as the patron goddess ofgood health and fertility.

Thispainting shows an image of Pattini during the Kiri Amma Dana (milk mothersalms-giving) as a pot of milk is boiled amidst chanting by the mothers who seekthe deity’s blessings. This is a popular custom in most Buddhist households inSri Lanka. Among many Pattini legends is an Indian tale about a beautifulgrief-stricken woman Kannagi who sacrificed herself by tearing her breasts offwhen an evil king beheaded her husband on a false charge of stealing thequeen’s anklets. Following her rebirth as Pattini she was regarded by herdevotees as a goddess who fought evil and malady.