Abhishekam, archana at Kamala Harris's ancestral village temple in TN ahead of US prez poll
Tiruvarur (Tamil Nadu): A special 'abhishekam' of sandalwood and turmeric, besides a special 'archana' was performed on Tuesday at a temple in the village of ancestors of Democrat Kamala Harris as the villagers prayed that she becomes the next US president. If she wins, the village leaders are prepared to provide 'annadhanam' (free food/community lunch), local councillor Arulmozhi told reporters.
Meanwhile, three fans of Harris visited the native place of the American leader's maternal family near here and joined the prayers. While one is from the UK, two others are from the US and their arrival at Thulasendrapuram, which is about 350 kms from Chennai, was a matter of surprise for the local people. They met the village elders and also took part in a puja held at the temple for Harris's win.
One of the fans said she was from Las Vegas and told PTI Videos: "I came here to Kamala's great grandparents' village to support her because I happen to be in India." She said they are hopeful of her win. The foreigners touched the garlands brought by the priest before it was offered to the deity, as part of the puja and prayers, in keeping with the tradition. The villagers performed prayers at the Sri Dharma Sastha temple in her ancestral village expecting her to trounce former president and Republican Donald Trump, and emerge victorious as Americans vote to elect their next president. Thulasendrapuram is the ancestral village of Kamala's maternal grandfather P V Gopalan, who was in British government civil service. Her mother Shyamala was Gopalan's daughter. The village hogged the limelight in August 2020 when Kamala was nominated as the Democrat vice president candidate, and it later celebrated her victory the same year. "Our sincere prayers are for the victory of the daughter of the soil in the election and to become the president of the most influential country in the world," said Arulmozhi and her spouse T Sudhakar, who organised a special abhishekam of sandalwood and turmeric, besides a special 'archana' to the presiding deity at the Sri Dharma Sastha temple. Near the temple, they erected a massive banner carrying her picture, wishing her success in the election. Similar prayers filled the air in Madurai where Anushanathin Anugraham, a spiritual organisation, held a special prayer on November 4.
"Her ancestors are from our village... She is a woman fighting for the big post and we want her to win," Arulmozhi said. Kamala's maternal grandfather Gopalan was born in this village before moving to Chennai. About 10 years ago, a contribution of Rs one lakh had been made by one of the members of Kamala's maternal family to the Sri Dharma Sastha temple in Gopalan's memory. A donation of Rs 5,000 was made to the temple towards its Kumbhabhishekam (consecration) in the name of Kamala Harris in 2014, indicating her connection to the temple, though no one from her family lives in the village today. Her donation prompted the temple authorities to inscribe her name on a stone tablet containing the list of donors to the shrine. 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." Harris became US vice president in January 2021.
