Mamta Kulkarni Breaks Silence On Mahamandleshwar Controversy: ‘It Was All in God's Hands'
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Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni stepped down as Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhada at Maha Kumbh Mela after a dispute. She will continue her spiritual path as a Sadhvi.
Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni had recently stepped down from her role as Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. She said she will continue her spiritual path as a 'Sadhvi" (a female spiritual seeker). This came after a dispute between Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and the Kinnar Akhada's founder, Rishi Ajay Das, over giving Mamta the title of Mahamandaleshwar.
Mamta has now talked about the controversy for the first time.
Speaking to ANI, she said, '…It was all in God's hands for me to become Mahamandaleshwar in that Kumbh, which was such a holy occasion in 140 years. God provided me with the fruits of 25 years of my 'tapasya'. So, that happened."
Mamta Kulkarni left her worldly life behind to begin a spiritual journey. She took on a new name — 'Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri." She became a Mahamandaleshwar (a respected spiritual leader) on January 24 during the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh.
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev openly criticised the actor's anointment as the Mahamandleshwar, saying that nobody can attain sainthood 'in a single day."
'The great Kumbh festival of Sanatana, where our roots are connected, is a grand celebration. This is a sacred festival Some people associate vulgarity, intoxication, and inappropriate behaviour in the name of Kumbh – this is not the true essence of the Maha Kumbh," Baba Ramdev was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.
'Some individuals, who were indulged in worldly pleasures just yesterday, suddenly become saints or even attain titles like Mahamandaleshwar in a single day," the yoga guru added.
Since Kulkarni was appointed the Mahamandleshwar, several saints have opposed the decision. Later, both Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi were expelled from the Akhada by Rishi Ajay Das, the founder of Kinnar Akhada.
According to a press release issued on January 30, 2025, Rishi Ajay Das said, 'As the founder of Kinnar Akhada, I am hereby relieving Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from his position as Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada, effective immediately. His appointment was made with the goal of promoting religious activities and uplifting the transgender community, but he has deviated from these responsibilities."
In the 1990s, Mamta Kulkarni rose to fame with blockbuster films like Karan Arjun and Baazi. In the early 2000s, she stepped away from the film industry and relocated abroad.
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