Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of former Apple CEO Steve Jobs, will not participate in the holy dip on Makar Sankranti during her visit to the Maha Kumbh Mela. Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara revealed that she developed an allergy on her hand, likely due to the crowded environment at the event.
“She is staying in my camp and is unaccustomed to such crowded places. Despite the allergy, she remains deeply interested in our traditions,” Giri Ji said. Laurene was previously reported to observe Kalpvas, a spiritual practice emphasizing self-purification and devotion, as part of her 17-day stay.
Spiritual Journey in India
During her visit to India, Laurene Powell Jobs visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi. She was given the Hindu name “Kamala” by Swami Kailashanand Giri as a symbol of her spiritual engagement. While offering prayers from outside the sanctum sanctorum, she respected temple traditions that restrict non-Hindus from touching the Shivling.
“She is like a daughter to me. She participated in the rituals and was given prasad and a garland. However, we maintain the age-old tradition that non-Hindus cannot touch the Shivling,” said Swami Kailashanand Giri.
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#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: On former Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene Powell Jobs, Spiritual leader Swami Kailashanand Giri says, “She is in my ‘shivir’. She has never been to such a crowded place. She has got some allergies. She is very simple…All those people who… pic.twitter.com/1bQXP2lId7
— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025
Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: A Spiritual Spectacle
The Maha Kumbh Mela commenced with over 1.5 crore devotees taking a holy dip on Paush Purnima. The grand event in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, is expected to attract nearly 400 million pilgrims. Key bathing rituals, including the Shahi Snan, are scheduled on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).
Thirteen Akharas, representing various spiritual orders, are set to perform the ‘Amrit Snan’ today, continuing the sacred tradition for 10 hours. The Maha Kumbh Mela remains a symbol of India’s rich spiritual and cultural heritage, drawing millions from across the globe.
