Steve Jobs' Wife Laurene Visits Varanasi Temple, Gets Named ‘Kamala’ Ahead Of Her Mahakumbh Visit

Laurene Powell Jobs, the wife of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, is in India to attend the Mahakumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, which begins on January 13.

On Friday, Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of the Niranjani Akhara announced that she had been given a Hindu name during her visit.

Photo Credit: ANI

On Saturday, Powell Jobs visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, accompanied by Kailashanand Giri Maharaj.

He explained that the Akhara had named her 'Kamala,' saying, "She is coming to visit her guru here. We have named her Kamala and she is like a daughter to us. This is the second time she is coming to India... Everyone is welcome in Kumbh."

He further explained that Powell Jobs is visiting for a personal programme: "She is coming here to meditate."

When asked if Powell Jobs would be added to the Akhara's 'Peshwai', the seer said, "We will try to include her in the Peshwai. We will leave it to her to decide. She will tour this Kumbh and meet the seers here. She will also feel good. We will also feel good that those who don't know much about our traditions want to learn."

He added, "Most people in the world are under the guidance of some guru. Many people are coming to Kumbh; some are coming for their personal programme."

During their visit to the Kashi Temple, Kailashanand Giri Maharaj mentioned that they prayed for the successful and obstacle-free completion of the Maha Kumbh.

"Today, we have come to Kashi to pray to Mahadev that the Kumbh is completed without any obstacles... I came here to invite Mahadev," he told reporters.

The Maharaj also noted that Laurene Powell Jobs had followed the temple's traditions and was planning to take a dip in the Ganga. "As per our Indian tradition, in Kashi Vishwanath, no other Hindu can touch the Shivling. That's why she was made to see the Shivling from outside... She will also stay in Kumbh and take a dip in Ganga," he added.

Additionally, the Maharaj shared that the Niranjani Akhara would soon welcome a new Mahamandaleshwar, Maharshi Vyasanand, who hails from the USA. "Our disciple Maharshi Vyasanand is with us from America. Tomorrow he is becoming a Mahamandaleshwar in my Akhara," Kailashanand Giri Maharaj concluded.