Kumbh Photo To Ganesh Idol In ISS: Sunita Williams' Cousin Shares NASA Astronaut's Indian Connection

Last Updated:March 18, 2025, 23:14 IST

Falguni Pandya expressed her excitement over Williams’ return, saying the family has planned a special prayer and havan at a temple to mark her return

Left: Sunita Williams' with her cousin Falguni Pandya. Right: Photo of Ganesh idol at the ISS, shared by Williams.

Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams’ cousin, Falguni Pandya, on Tuesday spoke candidly about the astronaut’s connection to her Indian roots.

She shared how Williams took a Ganesh idol with her to the ISS, keeping it with her throughout her stay. Williams, who has spent over nine months aboard the Space Station, is now on her way back to Earth with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore and two other crew members.

In an interview with News18, Pandya, speaking from New Jersey, expressed her excitement over Williams’ return, saying the family has planned a special prayer and havan at a temple to mark her return.

“We are eagerly waiting for her return. We have planned a special prayer and havan at the temple to celebrate," Pandya said.

She also revealed that Williams had shared a picture showing the Ganesh idol floating in space on the ISS. Pandya spoke of Williams’ love for Indian food, adding that they plan to visit India once she returns to Earth. “Sunita loves Indian food, we will visit India again once she returns," she said.

Pandya recounted her visit to India for the Kumbh Mela in February, where Williams was fascinated and eager to learn all about the festival. In a touching moment, Williams even sent a picture from space of the Kumbh Mela.

“When I shared my pictures of the Kumbh Mela with her, she sent me a picture from space. It was an iconic picture of the Kumbh Mela," she said.

Pandya also mentioned that Williams and her father had met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2007 when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat, and later in the US. “Sunita is a proud daughter of Gujarat, and her village, Jhulasan, is celebrating her return," Pandya stated.

In Jhulasan, the ancestral village of Williams’ father, residents have been praying for her safety and keeping an ‘Akhand Jyot’ (eternal flame) burning since her departure to space. The flame will remain lit until her safe return. A grand procession, accompanied by prayer chanting and fireworks, is planned in her honour, with her photo being carried during the procession.

According to Williams’ cousin, Navin Pandya, the procession will start from a school and move to the temple where the ‘Akhand Jyot’ is kept, with students joining in. “We will perform a dhun (prayer chanting) at the temple," Pandya stated.

(With inputs from agencies)

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