Prayagraj: The Kinner Akhada has been in the spotlight at the ongoing Mahakumbh, particularly with the recent induction of former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni as a Mahamandaleshwar. After leaving her film career behind, Kulkarni has taken a spiritual route, becoming a sadhvi. The Kinner Akhada is part of the Shri Panchdashnam Juna Akhada and, like other akhadas, has monasteries in ten different locations across India.
This akhada includes 13 sub-akhadas throughout the country, representing kinnars who practice Shaivism, Vaishnavism, and Sikhism. The Bahuchara Mata Temple in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, often referred to as the “Murgi Wali Mata” temple, is regarded as the kuldevi (family deity) of the kinnars and is the first deity honoured within the Kinner Akhada.
Dr Laxmi Narayan Tripathi, a well-known Kinnar activist, has long advocated for the rights of Kinnars. Motivated to form a dedicated akhada for her community, she rallied support and founded the Kinner Akhada in 2015. Dr. Tripathi remained resolute despite initial pushback from the Akhil Bharatiya Akhada Parishad. The Kinner Akhada established its camp at the Ujjain Kumbh in 2016.
While the Kinner Akhada was given space at the Ujjain Kumbh, the Akhada Parishad opposed their involvement in the royal bath. However, the saints of the Kinner Akhada proclaimed themselves as “updev” (demigods) and went ahead with the royal bath, becoming a significant highlight of the event. The Kinner Akhada garnered considerable public support.
In September 2018, the Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinner Akhada appointed representatives for various states, including Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, as well as areas in South India, North India, Vidarbha, and Northeast India. Since then, the Kinner Akhada has been on a path of continuous growth.