Swadeshi Khomba illuminates Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya

Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene (centre), Sri Maha Vishnu Dewalaya/Aluthnuwara and Sri Maha Dedimunda Dewalaya Mahanuwara Basnayake Nilame Mahindra Rathwatte (left) and officials from Swadeshi participate in the lighting ceremony

Initiative for 14th consecutive year along with “Mahanuwara Sri Maha Vishnu Devalaya”

The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC, the pioneer herbal personal care products manufacturer, once again illuminated the Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya along with Mahanuwara Sri Maha Visnu Devalaya. 

The “Aloka Pooja” was carried out under the theme, “Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya”, during the annual Esala festival. Mahanuwara Sri Maha Visnu Devalaya was illuminated by Swadeshi for the third consecutive year. 

Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene 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 further observed 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’s heritage. The illumination is 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. 

Mahanuwara Sri Maha Vishnu Devalaya is one of the Hatara Devale in the Kandy, having a long association with the Royal Palace (Maha Vasala) and the Temple of Tooth Relic (Sri Dalada Maligawa). 

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.

Amari Wijewardene is the great granddaughter of Helena Wijewardene Lamatheni, who initiated renovations of the Kelaniya Raja Maha Viharaya in 1927.

Swadeshi also supports the annual Aloka Poojawa of Kataragama Kiri Vehera, Ruhunu Kataragama Maha Devalaya, Aluth Nuwara Dadimunda Devalaya, Sabaragamu Maha Saman Devalaya, Redigama Ridi Viharaya, Lankathilaka Raja Maha Viharaya, Deraniyagala Saman Devalaya, Ammaduwa Kuda Kataragama Devalaya, Sankapali Raja Maha Viharaya, Kolambagama Raja Maha Viharaya, Dambadeniya Raja Maha Viharaya and Keragala Raja Maha Viharaya.

Swadeshi continues its nation building and community CSR projects for our Sri Lankan communities. The Swadeshi Khomba brand is dedicated to carrying out sustainability projects which focus on caring for Mother Nature and enhancing cultural values. 

The company’s many community outreach initiatives include, island wide annual lighting ceremony of temples “Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya”, “Swadeshi Khomba Mihithala Sathkaraya” Kohomba tree planting campaigns, donation of water tanks for the communities, schools and temples in dry zone of Sri Lanka and Swadeshi Khomba baby care gifts to pregnant mothers. 

“As the country’s leading herbal personal care products company, we would like consumers to learn more about the functional benefits of the herbal ingredients used by Swadeshi in all its products, we use only the best of Sri Lankan herbs and all ingredients are extensively researched, the products fully tested to ensure quality and all our products are 100% vegetarian, not tested on animals and cruelty free.”