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By Sharad Rai
Once a Bollywood superstar, Mamta Kulkarni is now making headlines for her shift towards spirituality, with reports of her becoming a sannyasini (renunciant). She has also caught the attention of devotees at the ongoing Prayagraj Kumbh Mela. After taking a dip in the holy Ganges, many pilgrims are eager to meet her, as she has now become the new leader, or Maha Mandaleshwar, of the Kinnar Akhara. Mamta Kulkarni has taken a new identity – Shri Yamai Mamta Nand Giri.
Mamta Kulkarni's Maha Mandaleshwar Appointment Sparks Debate
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There have been some controversies surrounding her appointment as the Maha Mandaleshwar, and protests have been raised against her ascension. The Kinnar Akhara's spiritual leader, Acharya Maha Mandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, who had made Mamta Kulkarni the new head after 23 years, is also facing criticism. Acharya Tripathi not only initiated Mamta into the life of renunciation but also oversaw all the rituals required to make her the Maha Mandaleshwar. Mamta underwent the sacred rituals of receiving sannyas, which included a Pind Daan at the holy Sangam (confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and Sarasvati), a holy dip, and the traditional coronation ceremony.
However, within the Kinnar Akhara community, the announcement of Mamta Kulkarni’s new position has sparked heated debates. Some have raised questions about the way Mamta's initiation ceremony was conducted, especially the fact that her head was not completely shaved. It is customary for a sannyasi’s head to be fully shaved during the initiation process, but Mamta only had a portion of her hair cut, which has caused some controversy. One prominent transgender preacher Maha Mandaleshwar Hemangi Sakhi Maa, has openly criticized Mamta’s appointment, questioning why the traditional head-shaving ritual was not fully observed.
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Rumors are also circulating that Rishi Ajay, the founder of the Kinnar Akhara, may soon take strict action regarding the issue and could potentially even relieve Acharya Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi of her duties.
In the meantime, there’s growing intrigue among the other sannyasis of the Kinnar Akhara, as they reflect on the past works and public life of the newly appointed Maha Mandaleshwar. Mamta Kulkarni, at 52, hails from a Marathi Brahmin family and has always been involved in religious activities. She began her acting career with the film Tiranga and went on to become one of the biggest stars of the 90s, working with top Bollywood actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, and Akshay Kumar. Her notable films include Waqt Hamara Hai, Krantiveer, Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Andolan, Baazi, China Gate, Aashiq Awara, and many others.
Today, the once-celebrated actress of Waqt Hamara Hai has embraced a new life as a spiritual leader and stands tall, ready to face the challenges of her new role as Maha Mandaleshwar. It remains to be seen how much she will be able to contribute towards the religious and social upliftment of the transgender community.
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