Steve Jobs’ 1974 Letter on Kumbh Mela Plans Auctioned for ₹4.32 Crore; Wife Laurene Visits Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
A handwritten letter by the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs has captivated global attention after being auctioned by Bonhams for $500,312 (₹4.32 crore). Written in 1974, the letter reveals Jobs’ plans to visit India for the Kumbh Mela and provides a rare insight into his spiritual journey. Addressed to his childhood friend Tim Brown, the letter reflects Jobs’ fascination with Hinduism and Zen Buddhism.
In the letter, written a day before his 19th birthday, Jobs shares his aspiration to visit the Kumbh Mela, saying, “I wish to go to India for the Kumbh Mela, which starts in April. I will be leaving sometime in March, not really certain yet.” He ends the letter with the traditional Hindu salutation, “Shanti, Steve Jobs.”
Jobs’ spiritual quest brought him to India in 1974, where he planned to visit Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram in Uttarakhand. Although the revered saint had passed away the previous year, Jobs spent several months at Kainchi Dham, deeply influenced by Neem Karoli Baba’s teachings.
Laurene Powell Jobs Attends Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
Fast forward to 2025, Laurene Powell Jobs, Steve Jobs’ widow, is in India attending the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Her spiritual guide, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Kailashanand Giri of the Niranjani Akhara, has given her the name “Kamala.”
Swami Kailashanand described Laurene as a “simple, virtuous, and humble” woman deeply interested in Sanatan Dharma. “She is free from ego and fully devoted to her guru,” he remarked. He added that Laurene derives immense joy and satisfaction from her studies of Sanatan Dharma and her interactions with saints and seers.
Despite health challenges due to the overwhelming crowds, Laurene has maintained her enthusiasm for participating in the sacred gathering. After performing a ritual bath in the Ganges, her health improved, Swami Kailashanand said.
Laurene, dressed modestly in a peach-yellow salwar suit, saffron stole, and Rudraksha necklace, has chosen to keep a low profile during the event. According to Puri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad, Laurene has come to experience the essence of India’s timeless Sanatan culture and meet its spiritual leaders.
Also read ➡️Maha Kumbh Mela 2025: A Complete Guide To Start Dates, Types, Tent Booking, And More
A Journey Rooted in Spirituality
Laurene’s visit and Steve Jobs’ letter both highlight the deep spiritual connection the Jobs family has had with India. While Jobs’ journey began as a personal quest for enlightenment, Laurene’s participation in the Maha Kumbh Mela reflects a continuation of this legacy.
Her time in India underscores the enduring global appeal of the Kumbh Mela, celebrated as the world’s largest spiritual gathering, and the timeless wisdom of Sanatan Dharma that continues to inspire individuals worldwide.
