Special pooja for Kamala Harris’s victory at her ancestral village in Tiruvarur

Kamala Harris’s roots have been the topic of debate in Tamil Nadu ever since her nomination for the Presidential election began. Villagers have been enthusiastic about one of their own in the run for a top post in the US. Her grandfather, PV Gopalan, was born and raised in Painganadu, who later worked as a bureaucrat under the British. Kalidass Vandaiyar, president of the Thanjavur District Cricket Association and an acquaintance of the maternal family of Kamala Harris, said that the blessings of their deity will help to ensure a huge victory. “We have known her family for many years. Their family contributed to the development of temples and her relatives donate money regularly, despite moving out of the village several decades ago. We hope that she will make us proud,” said Kalidass.

He added that special prayers, abhishekam and annadanam (offering free food) will be conducted at the temple between 11 pm to 1 pm on Tuesday. “The name of PV Gopalan still features in the name of donors towards the temple. The villagers have also put out posters and banners near the temple premises wishing success for Kamala,” he said.

He pointed out that the villagers take pride in calling Kamala as their granddaughter, who is an inspiration among the villagers. Kamala has been to Chennai with her mother, Dr Shyamala Gopalan, as her grandparents’ family stayed in Besant Nagar, Chennai.