Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh) [India], January 13 : Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, reached Spiritual Leader Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj's Ashram in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj on Sunday.
Swami Kailashanand Giri clarified lingering speculation around Laurene Powell Jobs's Kashi Vishwanath temple visit and highlighted her respect for Indian spirituality.
"She is very religious and spiritual. She wants to learn about our traditions... She respects me as a father and a Guru... Everyone can learn from her. Indian traditions are being accepted by the world..." Swami Kailashanand Giri told ANI.
Explaining the temple's strict protocols, he said, "There is no dispute (regarding her visit to Kashi Vishwanath Temple). I want to make this very clear. I am an Acharya and it is my job to follow the traditions, and fundamental principles and maintain the conduct... She is my daughter, and Maharishi Vyasananda was also there. All of our family did 'Abhishek' and worshipped... She was given prasad and a garland, but there is a tradition that anyone other than a Hindu cannot touch Kashi Vishwanath. If I do not maintain this tradition, then it will be broken..."
Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara, along with Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on Saturday.
"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 outside the temple.
The Maharaj further mentioned that Laurene Powell Jobs followed the traditions of the temple, and is also planning to take a dip in the Ganga too.
"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.
Meanwhile, Pattabhishek of Vyasanand Giri Maharaj was performed at Niranjani Akhara in the presence of Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj. Laurene Powell Jobs also performed the rituals.
The Maha Kumbh is being celebrated after 12 years, and over 45 crore devotees are expected for the event. During the Mahakumbh, devotees will gather at the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers, to take a holy dip. The Maha Kumbh will conclude on February 26.
The main bathing rituals (Shahi Snan) of the Kumbh will take place on January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami).