Speaking with news agency ANI, spiritual leader Swami Kailashanand Giri said, “She will participate in the ritual of taking a dip (at the Sangam). She is resting in my ‘shivir’. However, she has some allergies. She has never been to such a crowded place. She is quite simple. She stayed with us during the pooja. Our tradition is such that those who have never seen it – they all want to join.”
#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: On former Apple CEO Steve Jobs’ wife Laurene Powell Jobs, Spiritual leader Swami Kailashanand Giri says, “She is in my ‘shivir’. She has never been to such a crowded place. She has got some allergies. She is very simple…All those people who… pic.twitter.com/1bQXP2lId7
— ANI (@ANI) January 14, 2025
The American businesswoman is expected to immerse herself in Hindu rituals and stay at the camp of her guru Kaliashananda. Powell
arrived in Prayagraj on Sunday to attend this rare event.
Before the mega Hindu congregation, Powell was given the Hindu name ‘Kamala’ by Swami Giri. “I have given her the name of Kamala, according to my gotra. She treats me like her father and I also give her the same love of a daughter,” Kailashanand earlier said.
She was earlier captured offering prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, accompanied by her guru. In a salwar suit and a dupatta on her head, she offered prayers from outside the main area 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… She will also stay in Kumbh and take a dip in Ganga,” Giri said.
The grand event of Maha Kumbh started on Monday, January 13, and saw a gathering of nearly 60 lakh people for the first bathing ritual. The spiritual event will conclude on February 26. The city has been welcoming saints, seers, pilgrims, devotees and citizens in large numbers from around the world.
#WATCH | Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh: Devotees took a holy dip in Triveni Sangam – a sacred confluence of rivers Ganga, Yamuna and ‘mystical’ Saraswati as today, January 13 – Paush Purnima marks the beginning of the 45-day-long #MahaKumbh2025
(Earlier visuals) pic.twitter.com/fVmy3YyUkN— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
#MahaKumbhMela2025 | Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar says, “Maha Kumbh 2025 has started today, about 60 lakh people have taken a holy dip, this time it is a confluence of faith and modernity. Apart from the traditional police system, we have given better arrangements to the… pic.twitter.com/8ifDHKvXJb
— ANI (@ANI) January 13, 2025
The key snan dates for the Maha Kumbh-2025 are January 13 (Paush Purnima), January 14 (Makar Sankranti – First Shahi Snan), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya – Second Shahi Snan), February 3 (Basant Panchami – Third Shahi Snan), February 12 (Maghi Purnima) and February 26 (Maha Shivaratri).
