A tiny village in India where Kamala Harris has ancestral roots is praying for her victory

THULASENDRAPURAM, India -- The temple reverberated pinch rhythmic Sanskrit and Tamil hymns, arsenic a Hindu leader held a occurrence earlier nan god. As this mini South Indian colony gathered to believe for Kamala Harris, a gaggle of reporters jostled for abstraction and camera angles.

There's small to separate nan colony of Thulasendrapuram from immoderate different agrarian organization successful Tamil Nadu, isolated from its relationship to a female who could go America's first leader pinch South Asian roots.

As millions of Americans vote, Harris has group rooting for her from thousands of miles distant successful a colony surrounded by atom paddies and coconut trees, wherever her mother's family has ancestral ties. They talk astir her astatine nan section beverage shop. Banners and advertisements base her look are seen passim nan community.

“Our deity is simply a very powerful God. If we believe good to him, he will make her victorious,” said M. Natarajan, nan temple leader that led nan prayers successful beforehand of nan image of Hindu deity Ayyanar, a shape of Lord Shiva.

Harris’ maternal grandfather was calved successful nan village, astir 350 kilometers (215 miles) from nan confederate coastal metropolis of Chennai, much than 100 years ago. As an adult, he moved to Chennai, wherever he worked arsenic a high-ranking authorities charismatic until his retirement.

Harris has ne'er visited Thulasendrapuram and she has nary surviving relatives successful nan village, but group present still venerate nan family that made it large successful nan U.S.

“Our colony ancestors' granddaughter is moving arsenic a U.S. statesmanlike candidate. Her triumph will beryllium happy news for each 1 of us,” Natarajan said.

The village's abrupt fame has helped bring money into nan village. Recently, building began connected a h2o retention vessel pinch costs donated by a section bank. Village residents opportunity it will transportation a plaque pinch Harris’ name.

Harris’ precocious mother, Shyamala Gopalan, was calved successful India. After moving to nan U.S. to study, she joined a Jamaican man, and they named their girl Kamala, a Sanskrit connection for “lotus flower.”

Other than trips during her childhood, Harris hasn’t visited India overmuch — peculiarly not since becoming vice president — but she has often spoken emotionally astir her ties to her precocious mother’s state of birth. On Tuesday, she released a run video highlighting her mother, who arrived successful nan U.S. astatine property 19 and became a crab researcher.

Titled “Mother,” nan video ends pinch a narrator saying: “This girl of Shyamala, this girl of nan American story, is fresh to lead america forward.”

Harris has often talked astir really she was guided by nan values of her Indian-born grandfather and mother. She has besides spoken of her emotion of southbound Indian food, particularly a type of steamed atom barroom called idli.

Harris’ sanction is engraved successful a database of donors — her aunt Sarala Gopalan gave money to nan temple successful her sanction — on pinch that of her grandfather. Outside, a ample banner wishes “the girl of nan land” occurrence successful nan election.

On Tuesday, nan colony temple besides received uncommon world visitors: 2 American visitors and 1 from nan U.K., each wearing achromatic t-shirts that said “Kamala Freakin Harris.”

Manikandan Ganesan, a villager who runs a mini shop adjacent nan temple, said Harris’ bid for nan presidency has made nan colony famous. He hopes Harris will yet sojourn them.

“Even if she mentioned that she would sojourn our village, it would make america very happy,” Ganesan said. “Her triumph itself will beryllium a large root of happiness for us.”

Village residents besides prayed for Harris’ triumph successful 2020, and group disconnected firecrackers erstwhile she became the U.S. Vice President.

For women of nan village, nan candidate's travel is simply a root of inspiration.

Local leader Arulmozhi Sudhakar said Harris embodies a important measurement toward female empowerment successful places for illustration Thulasendrapuram, wherever a mostly of women proceed to look favoritism and gender inequality.

“From nan clip erstwhile women were not moreover allowed to measurement retired of their house, to now a female from our colony contesting successful nan U.S. statesmanlike predetermination — this brings happiness for us,” Sudhakar said. “The coming generations will spot her arsenic a domiciled exemplary to win successful life.”