Thanjavur: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) lost its communication with Vikram Lander just moments before it was scheduled to make a soft landing on the surface of the moon on September 7.  

An official working with Chandrayaan 2 mission of the ISRO told PTI that Vikram Lander is lying on the lunar surface in a single piece and is found in a tilted position after a hard landing. However, ISRO has not confirmed the report yet. 

Efforts are on to establish contact with the Vikram Lander.

Meanwhile, devotees in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, are performing special puja and offering special prayers to the Moon God Chandra for successful contact with Vikram Lander.

Special prayers are conducted at Sri Kailasanathar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva at Thingalur, which has a sub-shrine for Lord Chandra. This temple is one of the nine temples dedicated to Navagraha (nine planets). 

Abhishekam (celestial bath) was performed for the Moon God with honey and sandalwood paste. Free meals called ‘annadanam’ was organised for the devotees. 

"After communication with the lander was lost, we decided to offer special prayers seeking Moon God's intervention to regain contact with the lander and it was held on Monday," V Kannan, temple manager told PTI.

Hundreds of devotees gathered to offer prayers and seek divine intervention to to establish connection with Vikram Lander. 

One of the devotees S Raja speaking to PTI said that prayer was common people's way of showing their solidarity with the space agency ISRO that has done a commendable job with regard to the Chandrayaan-2 mission.

"Moon has always excited human beings. We prayed so that the lander springs back to life and we get to know some unknown aspects of the moon," Raja said. 

It can be noted that even during the launch of Chandrayaan-1 a decade ago, yagnas were performed. Special pujas were also performed and ISRO chief K Sivan had visited prime temples in India before launching Chandrayaan-2 to the moon.