2 weeks ago
Last Updated:November 06, 2024, 10:59 IST
Harris’ maternal grandfather PV Gopalan was born more than a century ago in Thulasendrapuram before migrating to state capital Chennai
Supporters of US Presidential candidate Kamala Harris who have come from USA and villagers participate in a special pooja in Harris' ancestral village of Thulasendrapuram. (PTI)
Sacred chants, ringing of bells and offerings of flowers and bananas — in Kamala Harris’ ancestral village in southern India, a Hindu priest is conducting prayers for the US Vice-President’s victory in the presidential election.
The temple ceremony in Thulasendrapuram, in the state of Tamil Nadu, was organised by local villagers and attended by more than a dozen of them and a few tourists.
Harris’ maternal grandfather PV Gopalan was born more than a century ago in Thulasendrapuram before migrating to state capital Chennai. He was a high-ranking government official at the time of his retirement.
After lighting incense, the priest ended the prayer pronouncing “Kamala Harris should win", as he offered vermilion powder and ash to those attending.
At the temple, Harris’ name is engraved on a stone that lists public donations, along with that of her grandfather. Outside, Arulmozhi Sudhakar, a local politician, erected a banner on Tuesday, wishing “the daughter of the land" success in the election.
“She is one of us. She will win," said Sudhakar, a representative of a local village body. “Once she wins, we will offer special prayers (on Wednesday) and also donate food at the temple."
Sudhakar also painted “Best Wishes for Success" on the mud floor in front of her thatched-roof home a few kilometres (miles) from the temple.
The village received global attention four years ago when its residents prayed for victory for Harris’ Democratic Party in 2020 before celebrating her inauguration as US Vice-President by setting off firecrackers and distributing food.
The prayers in Thulasendrapuram on Tuesday attracted a handful of tourists, including two American and one British woman wearing “Kamala Freakin Harris" shirts and chanting “Go Kamala!"
“I am very pro-Kamala, so I wanted to experience her native village," said Devony Evans, a Chennai-based expat who said she voted for Harris and is from Seattle, Washington. “It was important for us, as women, to come … to honour her."
Harris, who was born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father who both immigrated to the United States to study, visited Thulasendrapuram when she was five and has recalled walks with her grandfather on the beach in Chennai.
“My mother, Dr Shyamala Gopalan Harris, came to the United States from India at 19. She taught me and my sister, Maya, about courage and determination," Harris said on X on Tuesday.
Similar prayers filled the air in Madurai where Anushanathin Anugraham, a spiritual organisation, held a special prayer on November 4.
Senthil Kumar, priest of Thulasendrapuram Sri Dharma Sastha Sri Kesava Perumal temple told PTI, “this temple’s deity is the kula deivam (family deity) of the ancestors of Kamala Harris (her mother’s side)." Harris’s aunt (chitti, mother’s younger sister) performed prayers in the temple before her niece’s election as US vice president, he added. “At that time, there were community prayers as well and even now we are praying for her win. God will do that."
The results of the election may not be known for days after Tuesday’s vote as opinion polls show Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump virtually even.
Location : First Published:November 06, 2024, 10:59 IST
News india Sacred Chants, Special ‘Abhishekam’ & Hope: Thulasendrapuram Prays For ‘Daughter’ Kamala Harris’ Big Win
