PRAYAGRAJ: Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, known for her bold and glamorous roles in the 1990s, on Friday embraced a new spiritual role and was anointed the Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara.
She was given the name of Shri Yamai Mamta Nand Giri and blessed by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Swami Laxmi Narayan Tripathi of Kinnar Akhara, Jagatguru Gargacharya Muchkund Pithadhishwar Swami Mahendranand Giri Maharaj of Juna Akhara and Mahamandleshwar Swami Jai Ambanand Giri Maharaj.
Mamta visited the camp of Kinnar Akhara in Sector 16 on Friday and had a detailed discussion with Tripathi on Sanatan Dharm, sanyas and other issues. Later, the acharyas performed a diksha ceremony at the Sangam and completed the ‘pind daan’ ritual. Then the ‘pattabhishek’ (sacred investiture) of Mamta was performed following which she was officially declared a sadhvi.
After her anointment, Mamta Nand Giri said it was a privilege to witness this holy moment of the Maha Kumbh.
“I am receiving the blessings of saints and seers. I took initiation from guru Chaitanya Gagan Giri, at the Kupoli Ashram 23 years ago, and am now fully embracing a new life of renunciation,” she said. Mamta gained fame in the 1990s with her performances in hit films like ‘Karan Arjun’ and ‘Baazi’.
Later, she quit acting and was embroiled in drug related controversy. “Mamta has been in touch with us and akhara for the past one and a half years. Now, after being conferred with the Mahamandleshwar title, Mamta Nand Giri will be spreading Sanatan Dharma,” Tripathi said. She added that Mamta Nand Giri was allowed to perform the character of any devotional figure in films if she wants as “we do not prohibit anyone from performing their art”. A Mahamandaleshwar is a title given to a high-ranking Hindu seer signifying a spiritual leader with authority over a large religious district or multiple monasteries.
The title means ‘superior of many mandalas’ and is often conferred during the Kumbh Mela, with a rigorous selection process involving spiritual tests, dedication to any of the 13 akharas (religious order).
In any akhara, the order is headed by Acharya Mahamandaleshwar, followed by Mahamandaleshwar, Mandaleshwar, Mahant, Karbaris, Thanapati, Sachvis, Pujaris, Kotwals and Kotharis.
