The 45-day-long Mahakumbh 2025 entered day 3 on Wednesday, and it has already started to make waves globally. Mahakumbh 2025 is termed the world's largest religious gathering, which began in Prayagraj on Paush Purnima (January 13). More than 5 crore devotees took a holy dip in the first two days. On Tuesday, on the occasion of Makar Sankranti, more than 3.5 crore devotees took a dip in the first 'Amrit Snan'. Mahakumbh 2025 is also making waves as it has been attended by late Apple Co-Founder Steve Jobs' wife Lauren.
In the meanwhile, on Tuesday multiple pictures and videos went viral on social media with the claims that Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates was spotted in Varanasi. The photos were also shared by multiple papparazi pages hinting that Bill Gates may attend Mahakumbh 2025 just like Steve Jobs' wife.
A user shared the video on X and wrote, "World's richest man Bill Gates comes under the divine shelter of Baba Kashi Vishwanath."
Another video was shared on X by another user with the caption, "World's richest man Bill Gates comes under the divine shelter of Baba Kashi Vishwanath."
Truth behind Bill Gates visiting Varanasi
The claims that Microsoft Co-Founder Bill Gates is attending Mahakumbh and visiting Varanasi are not true. If you watch the viral video closely, you will see that the elderly foreigner standing resembles Bill Gates but he is actually a different person. Therefore, the viral video linking the person to Bill Gates is not true. Also, there is no official announcement that Bill Gates will visit Mahakumbh 2025 in Prayagraj. Furthermore, there is no information that Bill Gates is currently in India.
Notably, many social media users also debunked Bill Gates Varanasi viral video as well. A user wrote, "He is not Bill Gates."
Another user wrote, "No. He is not Bill Gates and she is not Milinda..no doubt."
Steve Jobs wife in Mahakumbh
Steve Jobs' widow Laurene is observing 'kalpavas' at the Mahakumbh 2025. Laurene Powell is staying at the camp of Swami Kaliashananda, the ‘Mahamnadleshwar’ of Niranjani Akhara. Laurene is likely to attend the religious congregation until January 29 and take a holy dip during the fair.
For those who are unaware, Kalpvas is an ancient practice observed by devotees known as Kalpvasis, during the month from Paush Purnima to Maghi Purnima. During this period, Kalpvasis bathe daily in the Ganga and visit the camps of various seers and saints to listen to sermons.