Mamta Kulkarni, former Bollywood actress who now devoted herself to ‘Sanatan Dharma’, resigned as Mahamandaleshwar of Kinnar Akhada. Her appointment to the prestigious position was opposed by many people and devotees. The backlash coupled with internal conflicts within the Akhada made her resign.
Mamta Kulkarni became Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada, an appointment that stirred much public sensation. The main controversy arose from a conflict between Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and the founder of Kinnar Akhada, Rishi Ajay Das. A Twitter war and social media upsurge were generated by this issue, forcing Mamta Kulkarni to resign.
In an Instagram video, Mamta Kulkarni announced her resignation, saying, “I, Mahamandaleshwar Mamta Nandgiri, resign from this post. The ongoing fight between both groups is not right. I have been a sadhvi for 25 years, and I will continue to be one. The honour I received as Mahamandaleshwar felt like learning swimming for 25 years and then being asked to teach it to kids.
She added that, “the kind of outrage after appointing me the Mahamandaleshwar was uncalled for. I had left Bollywood 25 years back, disappeared from the limelight, and stayed away from everything. Now, everyone has an opinion on everything that I do. I found people raising objections even at my appointment by Shankaracharya or anyone else. I do not need to go to Kailash or Mansarovar; I have had the universe in front of me for the past 25 years of my penance.
Kulkarni, who was at one time famous in the 1990s, left the film industry early in the 2000s, and there were talks of her coming back to India and doing spiritual work. This is surprising because of her previous controversial life. However, Kulkarni continues with her spiritual journey, spending the last 25 years in penance and self-reflection.