Thulasendrapuram, India: A small village in Tamil Nadu, India, is offering prayers for the success of Kamala Harris in the 2024 US elections. Thulasendrapuram, a rural village located in southern India, holds deep ancestral ties to Harris through her late mother’s side of the family.

<h2>Prayers for success</h2>

On Tuesday morning, the village temple was filled with the sounds of Sanskrit and Tamil hymns as locals gathered to pray for Kamala Harris. The temple priest, M. Natarajan, led the ceremony with a sacred flame held before the image of Ayyanar, a form of Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity worshipped by the village.

“Our deity is a very powerful God. If we pray well to him, he will make her victorious,” said Natarajan.

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Kamala Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born in India and moved to the United States for her higher education. She later married a Jamaican man, and together they raised their daughter, Kamala. Harris was named after the Sanskrit word "Kamala," meaning "lotus flower." 
 
Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/momentum-is-on-our-side-says-democratic-candidate-kamala-harris-in-final-us-election-speech-773490">'Momentum is on our side,' says Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in final US election speech</a>

Kamala’s grandfather, born in Thulasendrapuram, moved to Chennai as an adult, where he served as a government official until his retirement. Even though Kamala has never visited her ancestral village, her connection to it is deeply cherished by the locals.

<h2>Kamala Harris' influence</h2>

Kamala Harris has frequently spoken about how the values of her Indian-born grandfather and mother shaped her life and career. She has also expressed a deep affection for South Indian cuisine, particularly dishes like idli, and a traditional rice cake.

&nbsp;Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/disqualifying-critics-slam-trump-as-he-makes-insulting-comments-on-nancy-pelosi-during-michigan-rally-773492">'Disqualifying,' Critics slam Trump as he makes insulting comments on Nancy Pelosi during Michigan rally</a>

On Tuesday, the temple received three international visitors, two from the United States and one from the United Kingdom. Each of them wore black t-shirts &nbsp;with the words “Kamala Freakin Harris.”&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Thulasendrapuram, India: A small village in Tamil Nadu, India, is offering prayers for the success of Kamala Harris in the 2024 US elections. Thulasendrapuram, a rural village located in southern India, holds deep ancestral ties to Harris through her late mother’s side of the family.

Thulasendrapuram, India: A small village in Tamil Nadu, India, is offering prayers for the success of Kamala Harris in the 2024 US elections. Thulasendrapuram, a rural village located in southern India, holds deep ancestral ties to Harris through her late mother’s side of the family. Prayers for success On Tuesday morning, the village temple was filled with the sounds of Sanskrit and Tamil hymns as locals gathered to pray for Kamala Harris. The temple priest, M. Natarajan, led the ceremony with a sacred flame held before the image of Ayyanar, a form of Lord Shiva, the Hindu deity worshipped by the village. “Our deity is a very powerful God. If we pray well to him, he will make her victorious,” said Natarajan. #WATCH | Tamil Nadu: Prayers offered for the victory of US Presidential candidate Kamala Harris at her ancestral village, Thulasendrapuram The US presidential elections are set to take place on November 5, with Harris going against former US President and Republican candidate… pic.twitter.com/9wTq19aK9n — ANI (@ANI) November 5, 2024 × Kamala Harris’ mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was born in India and moved to the United States for her higher education. She later married a Jamaican man, and together they raised their daughter, Kamala. Harris was named after the Sanskrit word "Kamala," meaning "lotus flower." Also read | 'Momentum is on our side,' says Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in final US election speech Kamala’s grandfather, born in Thulasendrapuram, moved to Chennai as an adult, where he served as a government official until his retirement. Even though Kamala has never visited her ancestral village, her connection to it is deeply cherished by the locals. Kamala Harris' influence Kamala Harris has frequently spoken about how the values of her Indian-born grandfather and mother shaped her life and career. She has also expressed a deep affection for South Indian cuisine, particularly dishes like idli, and a traditional rice cake. Also read | 'Disqualifying,' Critics slam Trump as he makes insulting comments on Nancy Pelosi during Michigan rally On Tuesday, the temple received three international visitors, two from the United States and one from the United Kingdom. Each of them wore black t-shirts with the words “Kamala Freakin Harris.” (With inputs from agencies)

US Election 2024: Kamala Harris’s ancestral village in India prays for her victory

Kamala Harris has occasionally used her mother’s Indian roots and her American success story to garner support while campaigning for the US elections, but villagers in Tamil Nadu’s Thulasenthirapuram-Painganaadu have taken it several notches further for Kamala, whose ancestors were from the village.&nbsp;

The Sri Dharmasastha Temple in the village had performed two special pujas (holy offerings) and other offerings on Tuesday - one in the morning and one in the afternoon, for Kamala’s victory as the Vice President of the United States. Kamala’s maternal grandfather P.V. Gopalan Iyer is said to have hailed from this village in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvarur district. 
 
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Goin by engravings on the temple wall, Kamala’s relatives who live in India had donated a small sum to the temple fund in 2014. The engraving bears the name Kamala Harris, with the donation sum Rs. 5000 (about 70USD) written beside it.&nbsp;

According to the village head, they consider Harris’ family their own people and take pride in it, adding that they had performed Pujas and erected banners in prominent parts of the village. Around 200 people are said to have visited the temple on Tuesday, as the temple had offered ‘Annadhaanam’ a custom where food is served as an offering.&nbsp;

“Idly-sambhar and meals were offered today after the pujas. We have kept laddoos (sweets) and firecrackers ready to celebrate in the event of her win tomorrow”, village head J.Sudhakar told Zee media.&nbsp;

When contacted, Kamala’s Uncle Gopalan Balachandran, a Delhi resident told Zee media that their family had donated to the temple long ago and that they came across reports of the villagers themselves conducting prayers, offerings for Kamala’s win.

Kamala Harris has occasionally used her mother’s Indian roots and her American success story to garner support while campaigning for the US elections, but villagers in Tamil Nadu’s Thulasenthirapuram-Painganaadu have taken it several notches further for Kamala, whose ancestors were from the village.

Kamala Harris has occasionally used her mother’s Indian roots and her American success story to garner support while campaigning for the US elections, but villagers in Tamil Nadu’s Thulasenthirapuram-Painganaadu have taken it several notches further for Kamala, whose ancestors were from the village. The Sri Dharmasastha Temple in the village had performed two special pujas (holy offerings) and other offerings on Tuesday - one in the morning and one in the afternoon, for Kamala’s victory as the Vice President of the United States. Kamala’s maternal grandfather P.V. Gopalan Iyer is said to have hailed from this village in Tamil Nadu’s Tiruvarur district. Goin by engravings on the temple wall, Kamala’s relatives who live in India had donated a small sum to the temple fund in 2014. The engraving bears the name Kamala Harris, with the donation sum Rs. 5000 (about 70USD) written beside it. According to the village head, they consider Harris’ family their own people and take pride in it, adding that they had performed Pujas and erected banners in prominent parts of the village. Around 200 people are said to have visited the temple on Tuesday, as the temple had offered ‘Annadhaanam’ a custom where food is served as an offering. “Idly-sambhar and meals were offered today after the pujas. We have kept laddoos (sweets) and firecrackers ready to celebrate in the event of her win tomorrow”, village head J.Sudhakar told Zee media. When contacted, Kamala’s Uncle Gopalan Balachandran, a Delhi resident told Zee media that their family had donated to the temple long ago and that they came across reports of the villagers themselves conducting prayers, offerings for Kamala’s win.

US election 2020: Ancestral village keeps sweets, firecrackers ready, hoping for Kamala Harris’ win

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US Election 2024: Kamala Harris’s ancestral village in India prays for her victory

US election 2020: Ancestral village keeps sweets, firecrackers ready, hoping for Kamala Harris’ win