In a significant development at the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh, the Kinnar Akhara, under the leadership of its founder Rishi Ajay Das, has expelled Mamta Kulkarni from the position of Mahamandaleshwar. This decision comes after Kulkarni reportedly failed to adhere to certain religious practices, including the mandatory head shaving. Ajay Das, who claims to be the true founder of the Kinnar Akhara, has also taken the step of expelling Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, the individual who appointed Kulkarni to the prestigious post.
Controversy Over Kulkarni’s Appointment and Actions
Ajay Das took to the media, expressing his displeasure over the actions of Acharya Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and Mamta Kulkarni. He stated that Mamta Kulkarni had been appointed to the post of Mahamandaleshwar without adhering to the proper traditions and rituals of the Akhara. He emphasized that Mamta, who was expected to follow the path of renunciation, did not undergo the necessary head-shaving (Mundan) ceremony, which is a fundamental requirement for such a position in the Akhara.
Ajay Das criticized the appointment, calling it a betrayal of Sanatan Dharma and Kinnar Akhara’s principles. He pointed out that Kulkarni’s actions, including abandoning the symbolic Vaijanti Mala in favor of a Rudraksha mala, were inconsistent with the Akhara’s religious practices. Das described her behavior as misleading to the followers of Sanatan Dharma and declared that it was necessary to address these discrepancies publicly.
Reorganization of Kinnar Akhara
In light of the controversy, Ajay Das announced that the Kinnar Akhara would be undergoing a reorganization to restore its sanctity. He made it clear that the Akhara’s traditions would not be compromised and that any members who do not adhere to these values would be removed. The removal of Mamta Kulkarni and Acharya Laxmi Narayan Tripathi is part of this larger effort to uphold the true principles of the Akhara and protect its reputation.
Rishi Ajay Das, founder of Kinnar Akhara, expels Mamta Kulkarni from the Akhara. He has also expelled Mahamandaleshwar Laxminarayan Tripathi from the Kinnar Akhara for inducting Mamta Kulkarni, who is accused of treason, to the Akhara and designating her as Mahamandaleshwar… pic.twitter.com/Hhzezst49r
— ANI (@ANI) January 31, 2025
The Backstory: Mamta Kulkarni’s Controversial Appointment
The controversy surrounding Mamta Kulkarni’s appointment as Mahamandaleshwar began when Acharya Laxmi Narayan Tripathi of the Kinnar Akhara conducted her Pattabhishek at the Maha Kumbh. Following this, many questions were raised within the spiritual community regarding the legitimacy of the appointment and the unorthodox way in which Kulkarni was inducted into the Akhara.
Acharya Laxmi Narayan Tripathi defended the decision by explaining that Mamta had been in contact with the Akhara for over a year and had previously been associated with the Juna Akhara. Tripathi stated that after the passing of Kulkarni’s guru, she had expressed her desire to fully embrace the Sanatan tradition and become Mahamandaleshwar to promote the ashram of Vrindavan. Laxmi Narayan Tripathi mentioned that Kulkarni had been asked to renounce worldly attachments and undergo the necessary rituals, including taking Sannyas, before being conferred the title. Kulkarni, according to Tripathi, had passed the necessary examinations and had answered various questions about her spiritual practices during the 23 years leading up to her appointment.
Public Announcement and Resolution
Despite the explanation from Acharya Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, the controversy continued to grow, prompting Ajay Das’s decisive action. In a press conference scheduled for 2:00 PM, Ajay Das intends to provide further details on the Akhara’s future plans and the reasons behind the recent expulsions. He hopes to reassure the followers of the Kinnar Akhara that the organization will continue to uphold its values and maintain its spiritual integrity.
This ongoing dispute has stirred significant debate within the religious community, highlighting the tension between maintaining tradition and adapting to new interpretations of spiritual roles.