Saturday Jul 06, 2024
Saturday Jul 06, 2024
Saturday, 14 August 2021 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene, Basnayake Nilame of Aluthnuwara, Sri Maha Dedimunda Dewalaya/Mahanuwara, Sri Maha Vishnu Dewalaya Mahindra Rathwatte, Acting Basnayake Nilame of Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya Chaminda Wanigasekara and officials from Swadeshi participating in the lighting ceremony
The Swadeshi Industrial Works PLC the pioneer herbal – personal care products manufacturer once again illuminated the Devundara Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya along with Aluthnuwara Sri Dadimunda Maha Devalaya.
The ‘Aloka Pooja’ was carried out under 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.
Swadeshi Chairperson Amari Wijewardene said: “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. 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 ‘blue’ resembling the colour of God Vishnu, hence the Devundara Devalaya is known as the Uthpalawarna Sri Vishnu Deva Mandiraya.
Situated in the Kegalle District, the Aluthnuwara Sri Dadimunda Maha Devalaya was built during the Dambadeniya period. It is believed that when King Parakramabahu II was passing through Aluthnuwara on his way to Sri Pada, he was very impressed with the place and decided to donate the property to the temple. Buildings were added on to the devalaya during the reign of King Panditha Parakramabahu IV. The place was known as Nawatilakapuraya and later it became Aluthnuwara. ‘Dedimunda Deiyo’ is the guardian deity of the Buddha Sasana in Sri Lanka.
In 2013 the Sri Dalada Maligawa of the 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 Maha Kataragama Devalaya, Sella Kataragama Devalaya, Mahanuwara Sri Vishnu Maha Devalaya, Sabaragamu Maha Saman Devalaya, Redigama Ridi Viharaya, Lankathilaka Raja Maha Viharaya, Deraniyagala Saman Devalaya, Ammaduwa Kuda Kataragama Devalaya, Dambadeniya Raja Maha Viharaya and Keragala Raja Maha Viharaya.
As a 100% local company 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 includes, hand washing sinks for temples and railway stations, education on hand washing steps through a video targeting children during COVID-19 pandemic situation, kohomba tree planting campaigns, donating water tanks for the communities in dry zone of Sri Lanka, Khomba Baby care gifts to pregnant mothers and educating school children through a ‘Hoda Purudu’ book highlighting good values.
