Mon Jan 13 11:02:42 UTC 2025: ## Tech Billionaire Laurene Powell Jobs Visits Varanasi Temple, Respects Tradition
**Varanasi, India** – Laurene Powell Jobs, widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi on Saturday, coinciding with the start of the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025. While expressing deep respect for Hindu traditions, Ms. Powell Jobs did not touch the Shivling, adhering to the temple’s longstanding practice restricting such contact to Hindus.
Spiritual leader Swami Kailashanand Giri, Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Niranjani Akhara, clarified that Ms. Powell Jobs’ visit was entirely respectful and without controversy. He explained the temple’s tradition preventing non-Hindus from touching the Shivling, emphasizing his duty to uphold these established practices. He described Ms. Powell Jobs as a devout individual seeking to learn about Indian traditions and stated that she received prasad and a garland. The Acharya also noted the presence of Maharishi Vyasananda during the visit and confirmed that his family performed the Abhishek ceremony.
Ms. Powell Jobs’ visit occurred as the Maha Kumbh Mela, a massive religious gathering held every twelve years, commenced. Swami Kailashanand Giri revealed that he had visited the temple to pray for the successful and obstacle-free completion of the Kumbh Mela, which is expected to draw over 450 million devotees to the Sangam, the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers. Ms. Powell Jobs is expected to remain in Varanasi for the duration of the Kumbh Mela and participate in the Ganga river bathing ritual.
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