Swami Kailashanand Giri Ji Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara stated that Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of the late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, is not likely to participate in the holy dip on Makar Sankranti today (January 14) due to an allergy on her hand.

“She is in my ‘shivir’ (camp). She has never been to such a crowded place. She has got some allergies. She is very simple…All those people who have never seen our tradition – they all want to join us,” Giri said.

A devoted follower of Swami Kailashnand Giri, the Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Niranjini Akhara, Laurene reached the spiritual camp on Saturday night, accompanied by a 40-member team. She plans to stay at the Kumbh and also take a dip in the Ganga.

Dressed in a peach-yellow salwar suit, adorned with a Rakshasutra on her arm and a Rudraksha mala around her neck, she was given a warm reception at the camp on Sunday, according to news agency ANI. The welcoming ceremony included a grand trumpet fanfare, and she was served hot masala tea in a traditional kulhad.

Laurene was given the Hindu name ‘Kamala’ by Kailashnand Giri, symbolising her deep spiritual connection. Laurene will remain at the Niranjini Akhara camp until January 15, before returning to the US to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20.

Laurene Powell Jobs visits Kashi Vishwanath Temple 

Prior to arriving in Prayagraj, she visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi on Saturday, accompanied by Swami Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara. Dressed in a salwar suit and with a dupatta covering her head, Laurene offered prayers from outside the main temple area. 

Swami Kailashanand explained that according to the temple’s tradition, no one other than a Hindu can touch the Shivling, which is why she prayed from outside the sanctum.

“I am an Acharya, and it is my duty to uphold traditions, principles, and conduct,” he told news agency ANI. “She is my daughter,” he added. “All of our family participated in the ‘Abhishek’ and worshipped. She was given a prasad and a garland. However, the tradition is that anyone other than a Hindu cannot touch Kashi Vishwanath. If I do not maintain this tradition, then it will be broken.”

Swami Kailashanand also spoke to ANI about her deep respect for Indian traditions and spirituality. “She is very religious and spiritual,” he said. “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.”

All about Maha Kumbh Mela

Meanwhile, the Maha Kumbh Mela at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers saw a large influx of devotees on Sunday, with nearly 50 lakh pilgrims taking a holy dip ahead of Paush Purnima, the first bathing festival.

The ceremonial Amrit Snan (auspicious bath) is set for January 14, marking Makar Sankranti. All akharas, including Niranjini Akhara, will take their ordained dips in a sequence, with Niranjini Akhara scheduled to bathe between 7:05 am and 7:45 am.