The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC again illuminated the Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devala along with Aluthnuwara Sri Dadimunda Maha Devala.
The ‘Aloka Pooja’ was carried out on the theme, ‘Swadeshi Khomba Aloka Puja Sathkaraya’, during the annual Esala festival.
Aluthnuwara Sri Dadimunda Maha Devalaya was illuminated by Swadeshi for the second consecutive year.
Chairperson of Swadeshi, Ms. Amari Wijewardene said, “That as a Sri Lankan owned company, we 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 said 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.