Kamala Harris' ancestral village prays for her victory

via X

With sacred chants, ringing of bells and offerings of flowers and bananas, a Hindu priest in Kamala Harris' ancestral village in southern India conducted prayers on Tuesday for her victory in the US presidential election.

The temple ceremony in Thulasendrapuram, in the state of Tamil Nadu, was organised by local villagers and attended by more than a dozen of them and a few tourists.

Harris' maternal grandfather P.V. Gopalan was born more than a century ago in Thulasendrapuram before migrating to the state capital Chennai. He was a high-ranking government official at the time of his retirement.

After lighting incense, the priest ended the prayer pronouncing "Kamala Harris should win", as he offered vermilion powder and ash to those attending.

At the temple, Harris' name is engraved on a stone that lists public donations, along with that of her grandfather. Outside, Arulmozhi Sudhakar, a local politician, erected a banner on Tuesday, wishing "the daughter of the land" success in the election. 

"She is one of us. She will win," said Sudhakar, a representative of a local village body. "Once she wins, we will offer special prayers (on Wednesday) and also donate food at the temple."

Sudhakar also painted "Best Wishes for Success" on the mud floor in front of her thatched-roof home a few kilometres (miles) from the temple.

The village received global attention four years ago, when its residents prayed for victory for Harris' Democratic Party in 2020 before celebrating her inauguration as US Vice President by setting off firecrackers and distributing food.

The prayers in Thulasendrapuram on Tuesday attracted a handful of tourists, including two American and one British woman wearing "Kamala Freakin Harris" shirts and chanting "Go Kamala!"

"I am very pro-Kamala, so I wanted to experience her native village," said Devony Evans, a Chennai-based expat who said she voted for Harris and is from Seattle, Washington. "It was important for us, as women, to come ... to honour her."

Harris, who was born to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father who both immigrated to the United States to study, visited Thulasendrapuram when she was five and has recalled walks with her grandfather on the beach in Chennai.

"My mother, Dr. Shyamala Gopalan Harris, came to the United States from India at 19. She taught me and my sister, Maya, about courage and determination," Kamala Harris said on X on Tuesday.

The results of the election may not be known for days after Tuesday's vote as opinion polls show Harris and her Republican opponent Donald Trump virtually even.

More from International

Coming Up on Dubai Eye

  • The Score

    7:00pm - 9:00pm

    Hosted by Chris McHardy, The Score is your comprehensive guide to the world of sport.

  • The Night Shift with Mark Lloyd

    9:00pm - 11:00pm

    Musicians and music, entertainers and entertainment, industry gossip and songs selected by you, get ready to bring your night time to life! Every evening from eight, Mark Lloyd brings you an energetic mix of local and international content and contests, featuring an array of celebrity interviews and entertaining anecdotes. Get involved in the show and pick your favourite jukebox hits, every night from 8pm - 11pm.

BUSINESS BREAKFAST LATEST

On Dubai Eye

  • Is There Sufficient House Supply In UAE

    Dubai’s current population is more than double compared to almost twenty years ago, which now stands at 3.7 million. Lots of families are also moving to the UAE now. So what does it mean for the property market?

  • Noon's First Female Delivery Driver

    Glory Ehirim Nkiruka is Noon’s first ever female delivery driver. In her first ever interview, she explained why she loves her job, despite the heat!