Jhulasan Celebrates Sunita Williams' Joyful Return with Festivities
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Synopsis
Sunita Williams' safe return after a nine-month space mission has ignited celebrations in her ancestral village Jhulasan, Gujarat. Villagers expressed their joy through firecrackers and dance, honoring her with a procession and a special ceremony for the eternal lamp kept in her name.
Key Takeaways
- Sunita Williams returned safely after nine months in space.
- Villagers in Jhulasan celebrated with firecrackers and dance.
- An Akhand Jyot was lit in her honor at the local temple.
- Villagers planned a procession to honor her safe return.
- Sunita's connection to the village is strong, symbolizing faith and unity.
New Delhi, March 19 (NationPress) The joyous return of Sunita Williams to Earth after an unexpected nine-month journey in space has sparked a wave of excitement among her family and the residents of Jhulasan, her ancestral village in Gujarat's Mehsana. Upon hearing the news of her safe return, the villagers erupted into festivities, lighting firecrackers and dancing in celebration.
An Akhand Jyot (eternal lamp) that has been continuously lit for the past nine months in the local temple was finally illuminated to give thanks for her safe return. Now that she is back, her family plans to immerse the lamp in a special ceremony.
In a conversation with IANS, Sunita’s cousin, Naveen Bhai Baboolal, shared his feelings: "Sunita visited us in 2007, which was a wonderful occasion. She came to the local temple and took part in a delightful program. Ever since, we felt there was a divine force in our village, and it became evident that Sunita was meant for greatness."
"During her third space mission, she took along the idols of our village deities. The sweets we make here, like the ‘Sukhdi’ and ‘Ganapati’s Ladoo’, were sent with her to space," he continued.
Naveen added, “When Sunita set off for space, we had no idea she would stay for nine months due to technical issues. We were very worried but had faith that our divine deities would keep her safe. That’s why we maintained the Akhand Jyoti in the temple, praying for her return. Today, we celebrate her return with a village procession.”
He informed that the villagers have organized a celebratory procession in her honor, complete with fireworks to create a festive atmosphere reminiscent of Diwali and Holi.
“The procession will begin at the village school and proceed to the temple where the Akhand Jyot is kept. The lamp will be immersed after the procession reaches the temple,” he explained.
Dinesh Pandit, another family member, remarked, “The Akhand Jyoti was lit specifically for Sunita, as she faced challenges with her spacecraft during her mission. Upon hearing about the issues with her craft, we feared for her safety. However, we prayed to the goddesses, and remained confident they would bring her home safely. This tradition has continued every time she embarks on a space mission, and it has always worked out.”
Dinesh expressed, “We are all part of one big family, and Sunita feels like a sister to us. Our connection with her is unique, and our prayers for her have always been heartfelt.”
Meanwhile, Sunita Williams, along with her fellow astronauts Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth on Tuesday evening aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.
The spacecraft successfully splashed down off the coast of Florida just before 6 p.m. local time. The astronauts were welcomed by recovery teams, and Williams was the third to exit the capsule, smiling and waving after her safe return.
