Kashi Vishwanath Dham. (Inset: Laurene Powell Jobs).
Credit: PTI; X/@laurenepowell
Laurene Powell Jobs, the billionaire widow of Steve Jobs, who was co-founder and former CEO of Apple, reached Varanasi on Saturday and visited the famous Kashi Vishwanath Temple.
Clad in a pink kurta, Laurene had ‘darshan’ of Lord Shiva from outside the ‘garbha griha’ (sanctum-sanctorum). She also enjoyed a boat ride in the Ganga and attended the ‘Ganga Aarti’.
Later, Laurene reached the Maha Kumbh on Sunday and will reportedly be there for a fortnight. She would also observe ‘kalpavas’ (a ritual during which the devotee follows a disciplined religious life on the bank of the Ganga) at the Maha Kumbh.
Laurene has been staying at the camp of Swami Kaliashananda, the ‘Mahamnadleshwar’ of Niranjani Akhara.
In an interview with ANI, Kaliashananda explained that despite Powell Jobs visiting the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, she was not allowed to touch the Shiving because, as per tradition, only a Hindu has the right to touch 'Kashi Vishwanath.
"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... " he said, further adding, "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..."
Swami Kailashananda is said to be Laurene’s ‘guru’. The Swami said that Laurene has been adopted like a daughter and given a new name ‘Kamala’.
Notably, Powell Jobs is also on great terms with another Kamala—US Vice President Harris—and was vocal in her support for the latter during her US presidential election campaign.
Regarding Powell Jobs, Kailashanand told ANI, "... 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..."
With DHNS inputs