Mamta Kulkarni Takes Sanyas & Changes Her Name, To Be Ordained As Mahamandaleshwar In Kinnar Akhara At Maha Kumbh (VIDEOS)

Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, who was a part of several hit films in the 1990s, will be ordained as a 'Mahamandaleshwar' in the Kinnar Akhara on January 24. Mamta will perform the ritual of 'Pind Daan' at the Sangam o Friday evening. According to a report in ABP, her coronation ceremony will take place in the Kinnar Akhara. Also, she is being given a new name starting today. She will now be known as 'Shri Yamai Mamta Nand Giri'.

Mamta has also met the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara, Dr Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, and Mahamandaleshwar of the Juna Akhara, Swami Jai Ambanand Giri.

Several photos and videos of this meeting have surfaced on social media platforms. In the visuals, she is seen wearing saffron clothes along with a rudraksh mala around her neck.

Take a look:

During an interaction with ANI, Laxmi Narayan said, "Kinnar akhada is going to make Mamta Kulkarni (former Bollywood actress) a Mahamandleshwar. She has been named as Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri. As I am talking here, all the rituals are underway. She has been in touch with Kinnar Akhada and me for the last one and a half years... She is allowed to perform the character of any devotional figure if she wants as we do not prohibit anyone from performing their art."

What is the meaning of Mahamandaleshwar?

For those unversed, Mahamandaleshwar is a title bestowed upon Hindu monks of the Dashanami order. The term Mahamandaleshwar translates to 'chief of great or numerous monasteries'. As Mahamandaleshwar, the leaders spread the teachings of Sanatana Dharma, including living a life of righteousness, and contributing to a better society.

About Mamta Kulkarni

Mamta is known for her stunning looks and bold on-screen persona. She quickly rose to fame during the 1990s.

Despite her relatively short career span in Bollywood, Mamta was known for her daring choices, glamorous roles, and her ability to leave a mark in films with strong male leads.

Some of her notable films are Karan Arjun, China Gate, Tirangaa, Aashiq Awara, Krantiveer, Baazi, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Policewala Gunda, and more.

Mamta's return to India

The actress, who was allegedly involved in a Rs 2,000 crore international drug racket, returned to Mumbai, India, after 25 years following her clean chit in the case. In December, she shared a video on her social media, informing her fans and revealing that she felt really 'overwhelmed' and 'emotional' after returning to 'Aamchi Mumbai.'

In the video, Mamta was heard saying, "Hey guys, this is Mamta Kulkarni. I just returned to India, Bombay, ‘Aamchi Mumbai’ after 25 years. I’m really nostalgic that I went out of India in 2000, and exactly in 2024, I’m here. I’m really overwhelmed and emotional; I don’t know how to express it."

"Before the flight landed, I was looking at my left-right. I saw my country from the top for almost 25 years. I became emotional; I had tears in my eyes. I put my foot down out of the Mumbai International Airport, and I became extremely overwhelmed," she added.

What was the case?

The Bombay High Court gave Mamta a clean sheet in relation to the 2016 Thane drug haul case. It was alleged that the actress, along with her partner Vicky Goswami and other co-accused, attended a meeting in Kenya in January 2016, which was linked to an international drug racket.

Earlier, Mumbai Police claimed that Kulkarni was involved in the illicit activities and had planned to seek her extradition from Kenya.