As NASA astronaut Sunita Williams begins her journey back to Earth after spending over nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), her extended family in Gujarat is offering prayers for her safe arrival.
Her cousin, Dinesh Rawal, organized a ‘Yagna’ in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, expressing the family’s collective hope and faith.
“Everyone in the family is praying for Sunita’s safe arrival. We are all happy that she is coming back,” Rawal said.
Across the country, well-wishers are holding special prayers for Williams. In her native village of Jhulasan, residents have performed a ‘Havan’ at the Dola Mata Temple, seeking divine blessings for her successful return.
Speaking to ANI, Rawal emphasized the spiritual connection that binds their prayers together:
“Even though we are far apart, we pray together for her. In our village, a big prayer ceremony and bhajan by the Mahila Mandal has started and will continue till tomorrow morning. With faith in Lord Shiva and Lord Ganesha, we seek divine protection for our loved ones.”
Dinesh Pandya, a priest at the Dola Mata Temple, recalled Williams’ deep-rooted faith, stating:
“We have been praying for her safe return for the past nine months. When she first went to space, she carried a picture of Dola Mata with her. Whenever she visits India, she makes it a point to come to this temple.”
Williams, along with fellow NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and two others, has undocked from the ISS and is scheduled to splash down on Earth at around 3:27 am IST on March 19.
As the world awaits her return, prayers and rituals continue in Gujarat, reflecting the strong emotional and spiritual support from her homeland.
