Maha Kumbh: Actor Mamta Kulkarni

Kinnar Akhara’s Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and others perform rituals as former actor Mamta Kulkarni is being consecrated as Mahamandaleshwar during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 in Prayagraj on January 24, 2025. Photo credit: PTI

After thrilling her fans, film lovers and audiences in the various roles and characters played by her, actor Mamta Kulkarni on Friday (January 24, 2025) gave up her worldly life and embarked on a new journey as ‘Mai Mamta Nand Giri’. By accepting the identity, he started a spiritual journey. Uttar Pradesh government said.

In a statement, the UP government said in the ongoing Maha Kumbh, Kulkarni first took ‘Sanya’ in the Kinnar Akhara and then she got a new name ‘Mai Mamta Nand Giri’ in the same Akhara.

After performing the ‘Pind Daan’, the Kinnar Akhara performed their Pattabhishek (consecration ceremony).

Kulkarni, 52, reached Kinnar Akhara at the Maha Kumbh on Friday (January 24, 2025), where she met Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi of Kinnar Akhara and took his blessings. He also met the President of All India Akhara Parishad (ABAP) Mahant Ravindra Puri.

Mamata took a dip in the holy waters of the Sangam and was seen dressed as a ‘Sadhvi’. After Sanyasi and Pattabhishek, Mamata said that it would be “my good fortune to be a witness to this sacred moment of Maha Kumbh”.

She said that she was receiving the blessings of the saints. The statement said that she had taken initiation (‘deeksha’) 23 years ago from Guru Sri Chaitanya Gagan Giri at Kupoli Ashram and now she is entering a new life with complete sannyasa.

Speaking to reporters, Kulkarni said, “I started my tapasya (‘penance’) in 2000. And I chose Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi as my ‘Pattaguru’ because today is Friday… It is Maha Kali (Goddess It is the day of Kali).

“Yesterday, preparations were on to make me Mahamandaleshwar. But, today Maa Shakti instructed me that I select Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi because that person is the ‘Sakshat’ (direct) form of Ardhanareshwar. What is a bigger person than Ardhanareshwar The title can be done by doing my ‘Pattabhishek’,” she said, adding that she has been doing penance for the last 23 years.

Kulkarni said that he faced a test for the title of Mahamandaleshwar.

“I was asked what I did at 23. When I cleared all the exams, I got the ‘Apadhi’ of Mahamandaleshwar,” she said.

She said that she was feeling very good here and such planetary conditions are being created after 144 years. He said that no Maha Kumbh can be as sacred.

Asked if there was anger among a section of viewers over his ‘Dexa’, he said, “Many people are angry, my fans are also angry, they think I will return to Bollywood. But it’s all fine.

“Whatever the gods want. No one can fulfill the wish of Mahakaal and Mahakali. He is the ‘Param Brahma’. I have performed the ritual of ‘Pind Daan’ at the Sangam,” she told reporters.

Mahamandaleshwar Kaushalya Nand Giri alias Tina Ma of Kinnar Akhara told PTI that Kulkarni donated her own body on the banks of river Ganga on Friday.

He said that Kulkarni has been associated with Juna Akhara for the last two years and she had come in contact with Kinnar Akhara for the last two-three months.

Tripathi confirmed Kulkarni’s association with Kinnar Akhara and her spiritual journey.

“Mamata Kulkarni has been in touch with us for the last one-two years. She was earlier associated with Jun Akhara,” she said.

When Kulkarni came to the Maha Kumbh, she expressed her desire to serve Sanatana Dharma, she said, adding the seer does not stand between a devotee and the divine and thus, they respected her wish. Tripathi said that she has now completed the sacred rituals and will soon officially join the Akhara.

With this induction, Kulkarni joins the ranks of revered Mahamandaleshwars – a title given to spiritual leaders who play a significant role in religious discourse and social upliftment.

The grand consecration ceremony is set to take place at the Kinnar Akhara camp, where saints and devotees will witness his initiation into the ascetic order.

Mahant Balak Das, the Peethadheshwar Mahant of Patalpuri Mathematics, said, “The process of becoming a Mahamandaleshwar is very simple. There are 13 Akhars, each with unique rules but the central value of service is paramount.” He said that becoming Mahamandaleshwar involves 12 years of dedication and spiritual practice.

He said, “The process involves daily chanting of Ram Japa 1,25,000 times and living a life of strict penance (tapomai life). The aspirant must follow a disciplined routine with only three-four hours of sleep per day, ” he said.

The spirit of rendering service is the key to attaining the Mahamandaleshwar title, said Mahant Balak Das.