Laurene Powell Jobs, wife of late Steve Jobs, is currently in India for the Maha Kumbh Mela 2025, where she has been named “Kamala”. Meanwhile, a handwritten letter from the late Apple co-founder is making headlines. This letter, written in 1974, outlines Steve Jobs’ plans to visit India for the Kumbh Mela and was recently auctioned. bonhams For an impressive $500,312 (Rs 4.32 crore).
Posted just a day before Steve Jobs’s 19th birthday, the letter is addressed to his childhood friend Tim Brown and provides a rare glimpse of his spiritual and introspective side. In it, Jobs reflects on Zen Buddhism and shares his aspiration to visit India for the Kumbh Mela.
Responding to Brown’s letter, Jobs wrote in a concerned tone, mentioning that he “cried several times.” He expressed his intention to attend the Kumbh Mela, saying, “I want to go to India for the Kumbh Mela starting in April. I will go sometime in March, not sure yet.” Deeply influenced by Hinduism, he signs the letter “Peace, Steve Jobs.”
Steve Jobs first planned to visit Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram in Uttarakhand. However, on reaching Nainital, he learned that Neem Karoli Baba had died the previous year. Without any fear, Jobs stayed in the ashram of Kainchi Dham and took solace from the teachings of Neem Karoli Baba. He spent seven months in India and was completely immersed in its culture and spirituality.
When Jobs returned to America, his transformation was evident. His parents barely recognized him, as he described: “My head was shaved, I was wearing Indian cotton robes, and my skin was turned a deep, chocolate brown-red by the sun.” He also adopted the orange robe of a monk, indicating the deep impact of his spiritual journey.
Now, Steve’s wife Lauren Powell Jobs has fulfilled an old wish of his by participating in the Mahakumbh Mela 2025. Despite developing allergies on her second day, she plans to participate in the bathing ritual in the river Ganga.
Lauren, who has been given the Hindu name “Kamala” by her guru Swami Kailashanand Giri, reached Prayagraj with a 40-member team. She has engaged in spiritual practices such as meditation, Kriya Yoga and Pranayama. His visit to the Maha Kumbh underlines his deep respect for Indian traditions and his personal spiritual quest.
