Mahakumbh Nagar, Feb 14: Former actress Mamta Kulkarni, who had resigned from her position as Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara after being expelled from the religious order, has now been allowed to retain her role.
Despite her resignation on February 10, which she claimed was due to disputes between the Kinnar Akhara and other saints regarding her appointment, Kulkarni's resignation was not accepted. The 52-year-old, who renounced worldly life during the Maha Kumbh, was appointed as Mahamandaleshwar on January 24 during a ceremony in Prayagraj.
In a video released on Thursday, Kulkarni expressed her gratitude to Acharya Laxmi Narayan Tripathi for her decision to retain her in the position.
In her resignation video, Kulkarni had explained that there were objections about her appointment as Mahamandaleshwar. She also alleged that a sum of Rs 2 lakh was demanded from her for the post. Reflecting on the honor she received, Kulkarni stated that she had undergone 25 years of penance under the guidance of Chaitanya Gagan Giri Maharaj.
Several prominent figures, including Kinnar Kathavachak Himangi Sakhi and Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati, the Shankaracharya of the Jyotish Peeth in Uttarakhand, had voiced strong objections to her appointment. Kulkarni revealed in her video that Rs 2 lakh was requested from her in front of multiple Mahamandaleshwars and Jagadgurus. When she explained she could not afford the amount, Mahamandaleshwar Jai Amba Giri stepped forward and gave the sum to Laxmi Narayan Tripathi.
Reflecting on her spiritual journey, Kulkarni mentioned that the Chandi Devi she worships might be signaling her to distance herself from these controversies.
At the Maha Kumbh last month, Kulkarni formally embraced 'sanyas' under the Kinnar Akhara, performing her own 'Pind Daan' and becoming Mahamandaleshwar of the Akhara.
(With agency inputs)
