Swadeshi Khomba illuminates Devundara Uthpalawarna Vishnu Devalaya

Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene, Chief Incumbent of Devinuwara Raja Maha Viharaya and officials from Swadeshi 

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC once again illuminated the Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya. The “Aloka Pooja” was carried out under the theme, “Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya” and was held from July 22 to 29, during the annual Esala festival.
Amari Wijewardene, Chairperson of Swadeshi said that as a Sri Lankan owned company, they consider it a duty to safeguard the culture and traditional heritage of Sri Lanka by supporting activities such as this annual Aloka Poojawa.
She explained that Swadeshi illuminates places of worship in the country for the benefit of all worshippers and also to educate the younger generation on the importance of safeguarding the country’ heritage. The illumination was followed by a colourful cultural pageant which highlights Sri Lankan traditions and history. 
The original Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya, which was destroyed by the Portuguese, was built by King Dhapulusen in 661 AD. According to Buddhist literature, the Buddha before he passed away had asked the God ‘Shakra’ to protect Buddhism in Sri Lanka. God ‘Shakra’ had entrusted this duty to the God ‘Uthpalawarna’- meaning “colour blue” resembling the colour of God ‘Vishnu’, hence the Devundara Devalaya is known as the Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Deva Mandiraya. 
In 2013 the ‘Sri Dalada Maligawa’ of historic Dambadeni Raja Maha Viharaya, where the sacred tooth relic was kept and the ancient murals were renovated by Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene to bring back its past glory.