American Hindus to hold nationwide prayer for safe return of stranded astronauts
By: Dr. Avi Verma
A wave of support and prayers is surging from the American Hindu community for astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who have been aboard the International Space Station (ISS) for an unexpectedly extended mission. Originally scheduled for a one-week stay, unforeseen circumstances have delayed their return to Earth until March 2025, resulting in a nearly 10-month sojourn in space.
Recognizing the astronauts’ resilience and the role of faith in navigating challenging times, Hindu temples across the USA, under the guidance of the Hindu Policy Research and Advocacy Collective (HinduPACT) and Hindu Mandir Empowerment Council (HMEC), will hold a nationwide collective prayer for their safe return.
The prayer is scheduled for March 2nd, 2025, at 11:00 AM local time at participating temples. This initiative aims to harness the collective spiritual energy of the community and send positive vibrations to Williams and Wilmore as they prepare for their long-awaited homecoming.
“Sunita Williams, with her strong Hindu faith, embodies the spirit of overcoming obstacles with dharma,” said a spokesperson for HMEC. “Her journey is an inspiration to us all, and we want to show our unwavering support for her and Butch Wilmore.”
The HMEC is urging all temples and community members to participate in this nationwide prayer and invite their local township, county, and state legislative officers to join. They also encourage sharing support on social media using the hashtag #PrayersForAstronauts and tagging @HinduPACT and @mandircouncilus.
This initiative is supported by several organizations, including the Global Hindu Temple Network America, Americans4Hindus, Global Hindu Heritage Foundation, Lead America Foundation, and CoHNA.
