Prayagraj (UP): Laurene Powell Jobs, the widow of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, is set to attend the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, starting January 13, 2025.

Her participation in this sacred Hindu gathering underscores its universal appeal. Powell Jobs will observe Kalpvas, an ancient spiritual discipline integral to the event.

Kalpvas, deeply embedded in Hindu traditions and referenced in texts like the Mahabharata, spans from Paush Purnima to Maghi Purnima.

It involves a month-long practice of austerity and spiritual focus.

The  Kalpvasis—participants in the discipline—forsake modern comforts to reside in temporary tents near the Sangam, where the Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers converge.

Their daily routine includes holy dips, attending spiritual discourses, and listening to devotional music, all aimed at fostering spiritual growth and inner purification.

According to The Times of India, Powell Jobs will reportedly stay at the camp of Swami Kailashananda, the Mahamandaleshwar of the Niranjani Akhara.

During her visit, she will partake in various rituals, including the sacred dip at the Sangam, immersing herself in the spiritual essence of the Maha Kumbh.

Her stay, scheduled until January 29, will involve a deep engagement with the event’s unique religious and cultural traditions.

The Maha Kumbh Mela, held every 12 years, is one of Hinduism’s most significant religious events, attracting millions of devotees, saints, and spiritual seekers from across the globe.

The Sangam’s waters are believed to cleanse sins and bestow spiritual blessings, making it a central focus of faith and devotion.

Kalpvasis exemplify the event’s spiritual essence, dedicating their time to prayer, meditation, and community worship while living in simple, temporary shelters.

The Mela is as a profound platform for spiritual connection and enlightenment, transcending cultural and geographical boundaries.

Powell Jobs’ participation highlights the global resonance of the Maha Kumbh, drawing people from diverse backgrounds to this timeless tradition.

Her presence adds a contemporary dimension to an ancient practice, reflecting the lasting relevance of the Mela in uniting people across countries and walks of life through spirituality, devotion, and renewal.

The Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 will take place in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, beginning on January 13 and continuing till February 29, making it one of the largest and most important religious gatherings in the world.

This sacred event, held every twelve years, is centred around the Sangam, the holy confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati rivers.

The Kumbh Mela is deeply rooted in Hindu tradition, symbolising spiritual cleansing, devotion, and renewal. Millions of pilgrims, saints, and seekers are expected to attend, engaging in rituals such as holy dips in the Sangam’s waters, believed to cleanse sins and bestow blessings.

The festival will feature various religious activities, including spiritual discourses, community prayers, and cultural programmes.

Temporary settlements will be set up along the banks of the Sangam to accommodate pilgrims and Kalpvasis, who follow a month-long spiritual discipline during the Mela.

With enhanced infrastructure and security measures, the 2025 Maha Kumbh aims to facilitate the seamless participation of devotees from across the globe, celebrating the event's profound spiritual and cultural heritage.