- By Tapapriya Dutta
- Sat, 31 May 2025 08:38 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, who turned Sadhvi, recently talked about the controversy revolving around her appointment as Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Earlier this year, in January, Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada Laxmi Narayan made an announcement of Kulkarni’s new spiritual journey as Mahamandleshwar. Later, both Mamta Kulkarni and Laxmi Narayan from the Akhada by founder of Kinnar Akhada Rishi Ajay Das. The decision of expulsion came after Kulkarni’s appointment with a checkered past, as Mahamandaleshwar. Laxmi apparently appointed her without the founder’s permission, which sparked the controversy. Amid all the buzz, Kulkarni stated that it was god’s director after which she became a Mahamandaleshwar in the Maha Kumbh mela.
While speaking to ANI, Mamta 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.”
In a press release issued in January, Rishi Ajay Das stated “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..”
Ajay Das accused Laxmi Narayan of undermining the tenets of the Kinnar Akhada by giving Mamta Kulkarni a position in the Akhada and giving her such a position despite her past criminal activities. He said, “By giving such a person the title of Mahamandaleshwar, what kind of guru are you offering to Sanatan Dharma? This is a question of ethics.”
For those unaware, Mamta Kulkarni was one of the top actresses in Bollywood in the 90s. The actress is known for her work in Karan Arjun, Naseeb, Baazi, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Qila and Dilbar to name a few.