Sunita Williams’ ancestral village in Gujarat offers prayers, plans ‘Diwali like celebrations’ to welcome her return to Earth | India News

Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams‘ ancestral village in Gujarat‘s Mehsana district is making ready for “grand celebrations, resembling Diwali”, on Wednesday morning as she is ready to return to Earth after a nine-month keep on the International Space Station.
The villagers of Jhulasan, the ancestral house of Sunita Williams’ father, Deepak Pandya, have been praying for her security. Many have supplied particular prayers and lit an Akhand Jyot (everlasting flame) on the native temple of Goddess Dola Mata.
Deepak Pandya, initially from Jhulasan, moved to the United States in 1957.
According to information company PTI, Williams’ cousin, Navin Pandya, stated {that a} grand procession honouring Williams will likely be organised. The celebration will function prayer chants and fireworks, creating festivities paying homage to Diwali and Holi celebrations.
“The procession with her photo will be taken out from a school to the temple where the ‘Akhand Jyot’ is kept, with students joining others,” Pandya stated.
“We will perform a dhun (prayer chanting) at the temple. We had been offering prayers and lighting the Akhand Jyot for her safe return. This Jyot will be offered to Goddess Dola Mata on Wednesday after her return to Earth,” Pandya added.
He stated the villagers are keen to invite Williams to go to Jhulasan, with their pleasure rising much more after information of her third area mission.
“The atmosphere here is festive, with everyone eagerly anticipating her return. We will definitely invite her to visit Jhulasan in the future. It would be an honour to have her among us in her ancestral village,” he added.
Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore are concluding their prolonged keep on the ISS, spanning over 9 months.
Their return journey by way of SpaceX follows an prolonged mission, initially deliberate for seven days however extended due to technical points with a Boeing check flight.
Williams has established herself as a pioneering feminine astronaut, accumulating 62 hours throughout 9 spacewalks, setting a document for girls in area.