Maha Kumbh: Actor Mamta Kulkarni becomes Mai Mamta Nand Giri

Mamta Kulkarni renounces worldly life, takes on new identity 'Mai Mamta Nand Giri' in spiritual journey at Kumbh Mela.

After enthralling her fans, film lovers and audience in various roles and characters she played, actor Mamta Kulkarni on Friday (January 24, 2025) embarked on a spiritual journey by renouncing her worldly life and assuming a new identity of 'Mai Mamta Nand Giri', the Uttar Pradesh government said.

In a statement, the U.P. government said in the ongoing Maha Kumbh, Kulkarni first took 'sanyas' in the Kinnar Akhara and then she got a new name 'Mai Mamta Nand Giri' in the same akhara.

After performing 'Pind Daan', the Kinnar Akhara performed her pattabhishek (consecration ceremony).

Kulkarni, 52, reached the Kinnar Akhara in Maha Kumbh on Friday (January 24, 2025) where she met Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi of Kinnar Akhara and took his blessings. She also met the president of Akhil Bharatiya Akhara Parishad (ABAP) Mahant Ravindra Puri.

Mamta took a dip in the sacred waters of the Sangam and was seen in the clothes of a 'sadhvi'. After sanyas and pattabhishek, Mamta said it will be "my good fortune that I am also becoming a witness in this holy moment of Maha Kumbh".

She said she was receiving the blessings of the saints. She took initiation ('deeksha') from Guru Shri Chaitanya Gagan Giri in Kupoli Ashram 23 years ago and now she is entering a new life with complete sanyas, the statement added.

Speaking to reporters, Kulkarni said, "I started my penance ('tapasya') in 2000. And I chose Laxmi Narayan Tripathi as my 'pattaguru' because today is Friday... it is the day of Maha Kaali (Goddess Kaali).