Baba Ramdev questions Mamta Kulkarni's appointment as Mahamandaleshwar at Maha Kumbh
Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, known for her 1990s films, was ordained as a 'Mahamandaleshwar' in the Kinnar Akhara during the Maha Kumbh on January 24. Her induction has sparked criticism, with yoga guru Baba Ramdev and Pandit Dhirendra Shastri questioning the legitimacy of her sainthood, citing her past.
Mamta Kulkarni, a Bollywood actress who appeared in some of the most successful films of the 1990s, was ordained as a 'Mahamandaleshwar' in the Kinnar Akhara on January 24 during Maha Kumbh. After performing the 'Pind Daan' rite at the Sangam, her coronation ceremony took place. Several photos and videos from the ceremony have surfaced on social media platforms, showing the actress getting upset during her consecration ceremony.
Baba Ramdev Mamta Kulkarni's proclamation as a Mahamandaleshwar
Baba Ramdev, a yoga guru and businessman, has challenged Mamta Kulkarni's proclamation as a Mahamandaleshwar.
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¡ª Lalit jawla (@lalitjawla76) January 27, 2025
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During an interaction with media, he stated, "Certain people who were enjoying worldly pleasures just yesterday suddenly transform into saints or even acquire titles like Mahamandaleshwar in a single day."
"Simply adding the title of 'Baba' to someone¡¯s name or promoting indecent acts and reels in the name of Kumbh is unacceptable. The true essence of the Kumbh is the elevation of humanity to divinity, sainthood, and spiritual awakening. Sanatan is about experiencing, living, and expanding its eternal truths. Sanatan is the eternal truth that cannot be denied," he added, without naming anyone.
Before Baba Ramdev, Pandit Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham raised his misgivings about Mamta Kulkarni's selection as Mahamandaleshwar.
Kulkarni joins the ranks of the revered Mahamandaleshwars
The former actress will now be addressed as 'Shri Yamai Mamta Nand Giri'. Mamta, 52, visited the Kinnar Akhara at Maha Kumbh on Friday to meet Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi to seek his blessings. She also met Mahant Ravindra Puri, president of the Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP).
With this induction, Kulkarni joins the ranks of the revered Mahamandaleshwars, a designation bestowed upon spiritual leaders who play an important role in religious discourse and social progress.
Also read: Here's why Mamta Kulkarni left Bollywood behind and took sanyas at Maha Kumbh Mela 2025
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