Jhulasan village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, the ancestral home of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams’ father, Deepak Pandya, is set to erupt in celebration Wednesday morning as she returns to Earth after a nine-month stint aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Villagers, who have kept Williams in their prayers, are planning a Diwali-like festivity with fireworks, a grand procession, and prayer chants to honor her safe homecoming.

Navin Pandya, Williams’ cousin, shared the excitement, saying, “We have organised a procession with Sunita Williams’ photograph and will perform a dhun (prayer chanting) at the temple. We had been offering prayers and lighting the Akhand Jyot for her safe return. This Jyot will be offered to Goddess Dola Mata on Wednesday after her return to Earth.” The eternal flame at the Dola Mata temple has burned since her mission faced delays, symbolizing the village’s hopes. “The atmosphere here is festive, with everyone eagerly anticipating her return,” he added, expressing a collective desire to invite her to Jhulasan.

Williams, 59, and Butch Wilmore launched on Boeing’s Starliner June 5 for a week-long test, but technical snags extended their ISS stay to 286 days, necessitating a SpaceX return scheduled for an early Wednesday splashdown off Florida. Her record-setting 62 hours across nine spacewalks—the most by any female astronaut—has amplified local pride. Deepak Pandya migrated to the U.S. in 1957, yet Jhulasan claims her as its own, with plans for a future visit. “It would be an honour to have her among us in her ancestral village,” Navin said, as the village readies to light up the night in her name.