Mamta Kulkarni seeks blessings at Andheri Cha Raja; Recites aarti— Calls herself 1008 Mahamandaleshwar Yamai Mamta Nand Giri

Ganesh Utsav in Mumbai is always a grand affair, with pandals buzzing with energy and celebrities joining devotees to seek blessings.

Among them this year was former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni, who surprised many with her presence at the famous Andheri Cha Raja. Dressed in a bright orange outfit with a tilak adorning her forehead, Mamta stood before the towering idol of Ganpati Bappa, reciting the aarti with folded hands.

Sharing the clip on her Instagram handle, she wrote, “Shree 1008 Mahamandleshwar Yamai Mamta Nand Giri at Andheri Cha Raja,” reminding fans of the spiritual path she has embraced.

Mamta's journey from glamour to spirituality

Once one of the most glamorous faces of 1990s Bollywood, Mamta had walked away from films years ago to embrace sanyas. In February 2025, during the Maha Kumbh Mela, she performed pind daan at the holy Sangam and was crowned Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada, taking the name Shri Yamai Mamta Nand Giri. While her transition shocked many at the time, Mamta has remained steadfast in her decision, saying films are “absolutely impossible” for her now. “I can’t even imagine doing movies again,” she clarified in an earlier interview with India Today, stressing that her life is now devoted to spirituality.

Faith, controversies and convictions

Her journey hasn’t been without controversies. Earlier this year, Mamta briefly resigned from her Mahamandaleshwar post following disagreements, but her guru, Acharya Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi, refused to accept it. She later rejoined the Akhada, explaining that her sacred offerings and duties would remain dedicated to Sanatan Dharma. “Moving forward, I dedicate my life to Kinnar Akhada and Sanatan Dharma,” she affirmed.

At Andheri Cha Raja, however, there was no trace of past glamour or disputes, only quiet devotion. The video of Mamta smiling and reciting Ganpati’s aarti struck a chord with her followers, who saw in her a woman who has reinvented herself completely, swapping film sets for faith.