Abhishekam, archana at Kamala Harris’s ancestral village temple in TN

PTI 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 V Gopalan, who was in British government civil service.