Residents of Jhulasan, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams’ ancestral village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, erupted in celebration on Wednesday morning as a SpaceX capsule carrying her and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore safely splashed down off the Florida coast.
Villagers gathered at the local temple to watch the event live on a television screen. As soon as Williams’ safe landing was confirmed, the community rejoiced with firecrackers, dancing, and chants of “Har Har Mahadev.”
The astronaut’s return had been eagerly awaited, with villagers keeping her in their thoughts and prayers. While Williams was en route back to Earth, a traditional yagna (fire ritual) was performed, and an Akhand Jyot (eternal flame) was kept alight at the temple for her safe return.
Jhulasan, the hometown of Williams’ father Deepak Pandya, had been brimming with excitement ever since news of her anticipated return broke. Williams’ cousin, Navin Pandya, shared that villagers had continuously prayed for her safety, tending to the eternal flame ever since she embarked on her space journey over nine months ago.
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To honor her return, the village has planned a grand procession, with students from the local school joining in. The parade will culminate at the temple, where prayers will be chanted, and the Akhand Jyot will be ceremoniously extinguished.
“We have organized a procession featuring Sunita Williams’ photograph, followed by a dhun (prayer chanting) at the temple,” said Pandya, adding that the villagers are eager to extend an invitation for Williams to visit Jhulasan once again.
Williams has previously visited India multiple times, including in 2007 and 2013, after her space missions. In recognition of her contributions, she was honored with the Padma Bhushan in 2008. Her father migrated to the United States in 1957, but the family’s connection to Jhulasan remains strong.
The village school principal, Vishal Panchal, noted that elaborate preparations had been made to mark the occasion. Williams’ latest mission, initially set for seven days, extended due to technical issues. After departing the International Space Station (ISS), her SpaceX capsule successfully parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico.
Williams, who has completed 62 hours across nine spacewalks, holds the record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut.
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