Mumbai : In the country for the Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians’ fielding coach Jonty Rhodes performed puja for his daughter India Jeanne Rhodes at Pejawar Mutt in Santacruz, Mumbai. The cricket icon of South Africa for test and one-day series (1992 to 2003) has confessed his love for India and it’s Hindu culture and tradition and that’s why he named his daughter after the country.
Draped in traditional Hindu attire for visiting a temple, Rhodes was all smiles as he performed the puja as per Vedic rituals and Havan (Fire sacrifice) for his baby daughter’s well being and for the peace and harmony of the whole world. Rhodes and his family members are so much attracted with country’s rich culture and geographical diversity of the India.
“I have spent a lot of time here. What I love about India is that it’s a rich mix of culture, heritage and tradition. It is a very spiritual country, very forward-thinking nation. I really like that combination. You have to have a good balance of life,” he had said last year in an interview.
Rhodes and his family practice Yoga and meditation for sometimes and prefers Indian vegetarian dishes as well. They like to visit Hindu Temples in regular basis. Rhodes also recently visited Annamalaiya Temple in Tamil Nadu with his children for getting divine blessings.
The priests in Pejawar Mutt told HENB that the Rhodes family has a complete devotion to Almighty and they are surprisingly accustomed with most of Hindu rituals and customs. They also love Sanskrit hymns and extremely fond of the aroma of Havan (fire sacrifice rituals). ‘Rhodes are in Hindu spirituality and they want to follow the Hindu values and way of life’, says a priest of Pejawar Mutt.
Source : Hindu Existence