Uthpalawarna Shri Vishnu Katharagama Devalaya at Penithudumulla in Nawalapitiya, venerated by devotees down the ages is considered a sacred and a holy place from the times of ancient kings. The present shrine was built in 1973 by late S H P Marawella (Buddhadasa Veda Mahathmaya) an ayurvedic physician of repute who lived in Penithudumulla in Nawalapitiya and the present incumbent trustee of the Devalaya is Padmasena Athukorala. The shrine’s history dates back to the Gampola kingdom and according to an ancient Ola leaf; Shrimath Irugalbandara a royal high priest dedicated this shrine to twelve deities including God Vishnu and God Katharagama during the reign of King Buvanekabahu. Warusambodhi, Chief Priest of Gampola - Chakkindaramaya intrigued by the ancient past of the now ruined and decayed “Devalaya” through the ravages of time and invasions, found a “sannasa” or a royal decree. The prelate conveyed the news about the fascinating find to ayurvedic physician Buddhadasa who recreated the “Devalaya” in its original location with the blessings of the venerable priest, after a few sciences. Mahadeva Perahera a grand procession complete with gaily decorated tuskers, drummers, dancers, torchbearers amongst others is the principle event amongst a plethora of annual pageants of the “devalaya”. The procession progresses covering the entire Gampola town in all its majestic splendor contributing to national amity and goodwill amongst the Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim communities of the area. Uthpalawarna Shri Vishnu Katharagama Devalaya famed for miraculous succor over the years is venerated even to this day by worshippers.
