Fri Jan 24 14:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Former Bollywood Actress Mamta Kulkarni Becomes Mahamandaleshwar in Kinnar Akhada
**Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh:** Mamta Kulkarni, a former Bollywood actress, has embraced a new chapter in her life, becoming a Mahamandaleshwar (a high-ranking spiritual leader) in the Kinnar Akhada, a Hindu religious organization for the transgender community. The ceremony took place during the ongoing Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj on Friday.
Kulkarni, who had reportedly retired from acting and embraced a life of spirituality several years ago, returned to India after a 24-year absence. Before her ascension, she performed the traditional ritual of taking three dips in the Sangam (confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers) and then performed her own Pind Daan (a ritual offering for the deceased). She was then formally appointed as a Mahamandaleshwar, receiving the new name Mamta Nand Giri.
The Kinnar Akhada, established in 2015, aims to provide spiritual and social equality and recognition for the transgender community. Kulkarni’s appointment is seen as a significant step in furthering this goal. Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan of the Kinnar Akhada welcomed Kulkarni, stating that she had been in contact with the Akhada for the past year and a half. He expressed confidence in her ability to take on various roles within the spiritual context.
Kulkarni expressed her joy at the appointment, stating it was “the order of Mahadev (Shiva), the wish of Mahakali (a Hindu goddess), and the command of her Guru.” She emphasized that her decision was divinely guided.
Kulkarni, who debuted in Bollywood in 1992 with the film “Tiranga,” starred in numerous successful films throughout her career, sharing the screen with prominent actors such as Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan. Her last film was “Kabhi Tum Kabhi Hum” in 2002. In 2013, she released an autobiography, “Autobiography of a Yogini,” explaining her departure from the film industry to pursue a spiritual path. She has previously denied rumours of marriage to an underworld figure and involvement in drug trafficking. She stated in a recent interview that she is now 50 years old and wants to dedicate her life to spirituality and has no desire to marry. The Maha Kumbh Mela, she said, is a deeply meaningful experience for her.
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