Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, paid a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple on Saturday, ahead of her scheduled attendance at the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj.
Renamed 'Kamala' during her spiritual journey, Powell plans to stay in Prayagraj during the Maha Kumbh and has confirmed taking a ceremonial dip in the Ganga.
"Steve Jobs' wife, Laurene Powell Jobs, is like a daughter to me. I have given her my Gotra and named her Kamala. She will be staying here for Mahakumbh," said Kailashanand Ji Maharaj.
Draped in traditional Indian attire—a pink suit and a white dupatta covering her head— Powell offered prayers outside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, adhering to its traditions.
According to sources, the 61-year-old American businesswoman would be performing penance for 2 weeks as a Sadhvi in Maha Kumbh.
Accompanying her was Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj of the Niranjani Akhara.
"She followed the traditions of the temple...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," Swami Kailashanand Giri remarked.
He added that they prayed for the smooth and successful 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. Our disciple Maharshi Vyasanand is with us from America. Tomorrow he is becoming a Mahamandaleshwar in my Akhara," he said.
The Maha Kumbh, which occurs every 12 years, begins on 13 January and will continue until 26 February. A grand water laser show highlighting significant events associated with the Maha Kumbh was inaugurated on Saturday at the Yamuna Bank Ghat in Prayagraj.
Organised by Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development Minister Nand Gopal Gupta Nandi, the 45-minute show cost approximately ₹20 crore.
In anticipation of the massive influx of visitors, the Uttar Pradesh government has implemented extensive security measures, including AI-powered CCTVs, underwater drones, and enhanced transportation services.
Electric buses have been deployed across the state, with an additional fleet of 30 buses planned for seamless travel.
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