A socio psychological study on the psychotheraphy mental therapy underlined in low country shanthikarmas

ABSTRACT: There are many types of different shanthikarmas (rituals)in the low country or ruhunu dancing
tradition. Those shanthikarmas were spreat in hambanthota ,Matara,Weligama,Galle,Kadawatha in the
southern province and Colombo & Gampaha districs in the western province in sri lanka.All the shanthikarmas
in sri lanka consist of non-buddhist rites and rituals .Low country shanthikarmas are scattered across 03 main
areas. They are shanthikarmas which are based on devils,she –devils ,devatas (gods)and graha
(starts).Although ,the term “shanthikarma” is used in other traditions ,the low country ones are called
“Thovils”.In certain areas ,this term is also used to introduce simple magic forms .The rituals performed to get
rid of the evils caused by devils are called “yak thovil” the ones done to obtain the refuge of gods are called
“Deva thovil” and “Bali thovil” are the shanthikarmas done to get rid of ill luck.(kottegoda,1995).
Naturally, humans encounter troubles. yet ,only dewellers in Asian countries use exorcist methods to get rid of
these troubles (badluks).Although people strived to live an in noxious life ,they believed that they get illness due
to in balance in body’s air ,acidity and phlegm & infections as well as due to the invisible activity of hidden
forces. Most of these low country shanthikarmas are conducted to recover from types of illness. In addition, low
country shanthikarmas were done privately or commonly with the intention of increasing the paddy harvest
there are many devils and gods in this purpose. Paththini,, Natha, Vishnu,Katharagama,Saman are the gods
worshipped in low country areas.In addition , the devils like Mahasona,Suniyam devil, Kalu kumaraya are
worshipped in low country tradition