On Saturday, Laurene Powell Jobs, the late Steve Jobs’s wife, and Kailashanand Giri Maharaj of Niranjani Akhara paid a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Maharaj said during the visit that they prayed for the Maha Kumbh to be completed successfully and without any problems.

We have traveled to Kashi today to offer prayers to Mahadev for the successful completion of the Kumbh. Outside the temple, he told reporters, “I came here to invite Mahadev.”

In addition, the Maharaj said that Laurene Powell Jobs complied with temple customs and intended to swim in the Ganga.

According to Indian custom, no other Hindu is allowed to touch the Shivling at Kashi Vishwanath. She was forced to see the Shivling from the outside for that reason. Additionally, she will remain in Kumbh and swim in the Ganga,” he said.

In addition to the temple visit, the Maharaj announced that Maharshi Vyasanand, a new Mahamandaleshwar from the USA, will be joining the Niranjani Akhara.

“Maharshi Vyasanand, one of our disciples, is here from America. In my Akhara, he will become a Mahamandaleshwar tomorrow,” Kailashanand Giri said.

As a Mahamandaleshwar, Vyasanand Giri conveyed his appreciation for the honor and declared his intention to represent the ‘Shankaracharya Parampara’ globally.

“I feel really honored. I am being asked to represent my tradition, “Shankaracharya Parampara,” by the grace of Wami Kailashanad Giri. On his behalf, I shall act as a global spokesperson for this,” he told ANI.

One of the twelve Jyotirlingas is Varanasi’s Kashi Vishwanath Temple, which has grown to be a significant religious hub for both foreigners and Sanatanis in the nation. On December 13, 2021, the imposing structure of the historic Lord Kashi Vishwanath Temple was dedicated as Kashi Vishwanath Dham. The number of devotees has been growing daily since then.

Over 45 crore people are anticipated for the celebration of the Maha Kumbh, which is being held after a 12-year hiatus. On January 14 (Makar Sankranti), January 29 (Mauni Amavasya), and February 3 (Basant Panchami), the Kumbh’s principal bathing ceremonies (Shahi Snan) will be held.