New Delhi:
Mamta Kulkarni was awarded the title of Mahamandaleshwar by Kinnar Akhara during Maha -Kumbh 2025. However, his tenure was brief, running for only seven days, as the protests by several Hindu religious leaders removed him from the post.
During her appearance on AAP Ki Adalat, the former actress opened her spiritual journey. He shared that he had avoided watching adult films for the last 23 years. He also shared a light-hearted anecdote about being involved in “Do Pegs” during Navratri.
When asked about his fasting practices during Navratri, drinking alcohol at the Taj Hotel, he explained, “My Guru came to my life in 1997 in my Bollywood days.” He said, “During my time in the film industry, I followed a strict routine. Whenever I go for a shoot, I would take three bags with my clothes-one and one with my portable temple. The temple will be installed in me.
Mama talked about her adherence to Navratri, “I vowed to fast during Navratri, nine -day spiritual practice. I performed havan in the morning, afternoon and evening, lived only on water for the whole period for the entire period. Performed Yagya with 36 kg Sandalwood.
She shared that at that time her designer questioned her strict devotion and said, “Mamta, you are becoming very serious. Let’s go now.” He remembered, “So we went to the Taj, and for one or two newartris, I continued the same routine. I will drink Scotch, but only two pegs. However, I will feel immediate effect, as if alcohol all of me Mara was once taking nine days of fasting.
While reflecting this period, he revealed, “All this happened between 1996-97. For two years, my guru saw that Bollywood would not allow me to follow this path for a long time. That is why they they did not give me a penance Took the place where I could have been away from everything and everyone for 12 years.
The controversy around Kulkarni’s role in the form of Mahamandaleshwar was influenced by internal conflicts within Kinnar Akhara, especially between its founder Ajay Das and Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi. Division increased tension, resulting in both Mamta and Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi expelled from Akhara.
However, maternal uncle Kulkarni said that he had never intended to become Mahamandaleshwar and only agreed to play the role due to the pressure of Acharya Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi of Kinnar Akhara.
