'10-day mission': How NASA astronauts will navigate Orion spacecraft around the Moon

Flight Testing

Proximity Operations

Control Systems 

Software and Thruster

Crew Interface 

Future Lunar Missions 

Mission Objective

Astronauts aboard Artemis II will manually pilot the Orion spacecraft during its flight around the Moon. While the spacecraft is primarily autonomous, crew members will test its handling to prepare for future missions.


'Unseen forces of space': Understanding the mystery behind Boson stars

Invisible Stars 

Dark Matter

WIMP Theory

Axions

Light and Abundant

The Foundation 

Challenges and Possibilities

The night sky may harbour invisible "boson stars," made from a form of matter that doesn't emit light. These stars could be part of the universe's hidden content, potentially linked to dark matter.

'Indian Constellation': What is ISRO's NVS-02 satellite? 

Launch Details

NVS-02 Overview

NavIC System

Satellite Payload

Replacements

Satellite Specifications 

Testing

NVS-02 is the second satellite in India’s new generation of navigation satellites, contributing to the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system. 

'Indian Constellation': What is ISRO's NVS-02 satellite?

American surgeon and public health expert Dr Atul Gawande has criticised the Trump administration's decision to implement a 90-day &ldquo;Stop Work Order&rdquo; on foreign assistance. The order is part of a broader policy review to align foreign aid with President Trump&rsquo;s priorities. The order stops billions of dollars in vital aid and disrupts key health initiatives around the globe. In a post on social media platform X, Gawande said that the freeze could impact efforts to control deadly disease outbreaks. These include diseases such as the Marburg virus in Tanzania and a deadly Mpox variant in West Africa. The suspension also halts monitoring of bird flu in 49 countries.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m6f949hx-tztjpzx5-5z5mtlmg">
I ran <a href="https://twitter.com/USAID?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USAID</a> health programs for the last 3 years. Trump&rsquo;s 90 day Stop Work Order on foreign assistance does serious damage to the world and the US. Examples:🧵
&mdash; Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) <a href="https://twitter.com/Atul_Gawande/status/1883212990948024416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
The surgeon added that these measures will also hinder progress in eliminating diseases like polio, river blindness, and elephantiasis. These diseases were close to being eradicated in several regions a few months ago. Gawande also said that the order halts the distribution of medicines and supplies critical to more than 90 million women and children, who rely on low-cost vaccinations, prenatal care, safe childbirth, and contraception. He added that services for 6.5 million vulnerable children and caregivers in 23 countries have been already stopped, while access to drugs for 20 million people living with HIV has been cut.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m6f9bizu-d6qi83al-nfzi9jeo">
5. Stops medicines, supplies, systems building, staff support aiding &gt;90 million women and children to get low cost vaccinations, prenatal care, safe childbirth, contraception, and other basic lifesaving health needs. <a href="https://t.co/RCVNKjA7x9">https://t.co/RCVNKjA7x9</a>
&mdash; Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) <a href="https://twitter.com/Atul_Gawande/status/1883213004390772850?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 25, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
The order also disrupts operations at USAID, the US agency responsible for foreign aid, as employees face uncertainty about their future, putting the agency's ongoing operations at risk.
Gawande warned that this could harm the US's global reputation, relationships with other countries, and its long-term strategic interests.
In 2023, the US provided $72 billion in foreign assistance, which funded health, poverty alleviation, and humanitarian programmes worldwide. However, the &ldquo;Stop Work Order&rdquo; threatens the continuation of these programmes, placing efforts in areas like clean water, development, and military aid at risk.
(With inputs from agencies)

World: Atul Gawande said that services for 6.5 million vulnerable children and caregivers in 23 countries have already been stopped, while access to drugs for 20 million people living with HIV has been cut.

American surgeon and public health expert Dr Atul Gawande has criticised the Trump administration's decision to implement a 90-day “Stop Work Order” on foreign assistance. The order is part of a broader policy review to align foreign aid with President Trump’s priorities. The order stops billions of dollars in vital aid and disrupts key health initiatives around the globe. In a post on social media platform X, Gawande said that the freeze could impact efforts to control deadly disease outbreaks. These include diseases such as the Marburg virus in Tanzania and a deadly Mpox variant in West Africa. The suspension also halts monitoring of bird flu in 49 countries. I ran @USAID health programs for the last 3 years. Trump’s 90 day Stop Work Order on foreign assistance does serious damage to the world and the US. Examples:🧵 — Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) January 25, 2025 The surgeon added that these measures will also hinder progress in eliminating diseases like polio, river blindness, and elephantiasis. These diseases were close to being eradicated in several regions a few months ago. Gawande also said that the order halts the distribution of medicines and supplies critical to more than 90 million women and children, who rely on low-cost vaccinations, prenatal care, safe childbirth, and contraception. He added that services for 6.5 million vulnerable children and caregivers in 23 countries have been already stopped, while access to drugs for 20 million people living with HIV has been cut. 5. Stops medicines, supplies, systems building, staff support aiding >90 million women and children to get low cost vaccinations, prenatal care, safe childbirth, contraception, and other basic lifesaving health needs. https://t.co/RCVNKjA7x9 — Atul Gawande (@Atul_Gawande) January 25, 2025 The order also disrupts operations at USAID, the US agency responsible for foreign aid, as employees face uncertainty about their future, putting the agency's ongoing operations at risk. Gawande warned that this could harm the US's global reputation, relationships with other countries, and its long-term strategic interests. In 2023, the US provided $72 billion in foreign assistance, which funded health, poverty alleviation, and humanitarian programmes worldwide. However, the “Stop Work Order” threatens the continuation of these programmes, placing efforts in areas like clean water, development, and military aid at risk. (With inputs from agencies)

90 million children, women at risk! Researcher sounds alarm on serious damage as US freezes foreign aid

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone conversation with Donald Trump a week after his second inauguration as US President. This marks the first phone conversation between the two leaders since Trump assumed office last week.&nbsp; During their call, PM Modi congratulated President Trump on his victory in the US presidential elections. PM Modi in a post on social media platform X said, "We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m6f4zmn8-fwdiufwh-6zhqcxa9">
Delighted to speak with my dear friend President <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@realDonaldTrump</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a>. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity,&hellip;
&mdash; Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1883882348439089490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 27, 2025</a></blockquote>
&nbsp;
The two leaders may meet as early as mid-February if President Trump attends the Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit in Paris. Alternatively, PM Modi could visit Washington, D.C. in February for their first in-person meeting. According to sources cited by The Economic Times, dates for the meeting have not been finalised. Discussions are ongoing, considering potential issues such as tariffs and immigration policies. A decision will be made following further discussions with the Trump administration. President Trump and PM Modi's last meeting was in February 2020 during th former's visit to India, where both leaders demonstrated a strong working relationship. Trump is also expected to visit India later this year for the Quad summit. The summit will be hosted by India.&nbsp; In 2019, Trump and Modi participated in the 'Howdy Modi' rally in Houston, attended by approximately 50,000 people, including many Indian Americans.
(With inputs from agencies)
&nbsp;

World | India News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump engaged in a detailed phone conversation, focusing on strengthening India-US bilateral ties

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone conversation with Donald Trump a week after his second inauguration as US President. This marks the first phone conversation between the two leaders since Trump assumed office last week. During their call, PM Modi congratulated President Trump on his victory in the US presidential elections. PM Modi in a post on social media platform X said, "We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity." Delighted to speak with my dear friend President @realDonaldTrump @POTUS. Congratulated him on his historic second term. We are committed to a mutually beneficial and trusted partnership. We will work together for the welfare of our people and towards global peace, prosperity,… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 27, 2025 The two leaders may meet as early as mid-February if President Trump attends the Artificial Intelligence (AI) summit in Paris. Alternatively, PM Modi could visit Washington, D.C. in February for their first in-person meeting. According to sources cited by The Economic Times, dates for the meeting have not been finalised. Discussions are ongoing, considering potential issues such as tariffs and immigration policies. A decision will be made following further discussions with the Trump administration. President Trump and PM Modi's last meeting was in February 2020 during th former's visit to India, where both leaders demonstrated a strong working relationship. Trump is also expected to visit India later this year for the Quad summit. The summit will be hosted by India. In 2019, Trump and Modi participated in the 'Howdy Modi' rally in Houston, attended by approximately 50,000 people, including many Indian Americans. (With inputs from agencies)

PM Modi and Donald Trump discuss strengthening India-US partnership over call

'14-year-old': How NASA helped a Noida boy discover asteroid between Mars and Jupiter

Discovery 

Provisional

Participation

Journey of Exploration 

Elite Group 

 Verification Process 

Inspiration

Daksh Malik, a Class 9 student from Shiv Nadar School in Noida, has discovered an asteroid located in the main asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter through a NASA-backed citizen science programme.

'Major Milestone': ISRO ready for 100th launch as it completes GSLV-F15 rocket integration

 Integration Finalised 

100th Mission

Satellite Deployment 

NVS Series 

Enhanced Navigation

Technological Contributions

Milestone for GSLV

ISRO announced that the GSLV-F15 rocket has been fully integrated with the NVS-02 satellite. The launch is scheduled for January 29 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.

'Speed of 25,000 kmph': NASA detects Asteroid 2025 BH2 coming close to Earth, will it collide?

Close Flyby

Safe Distance Confirmed

Flyby Speed

Near-Earth Object

NASA Studies

Tools for Tracking

Planetary Defence

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is tracking asteroid 2025 BH2, a 100-foot-wide space rock, as it makes its closest approach to Earth today, January 27.

Google greeted India&rsquo;s 76th Republic Day with a special doodle designed by Pune-based artist Rohan Dahotre. The artwork depicts animals dressed in traditional attire participating in a wildlife-themed parade, symbolising the country&rsquo;s cultural and regional diversity
The doodle features a snow leopard in Ladakhi clothing, a tiger playing a musical instrument while wearing a dhoti-kurta, and a peacock in flight. An antelope carrying a ceremonial staff and other animals representing different parts of India are also depicted.
According to a description on Google&rsquo;s website, the doodle symbolises India&rsquo;s Republic Day as an occasion of &ldquo;national pride and unity.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Dahotre explained that Republic Day holds great importance for the country as it brings people together and fosters patriotism. He described India as a nation with immense diversity in languages, cultures, and traditions, comparing it to a vibrant world within itself.&nbsp;
India&rsquo;s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi include the annual parade at Kartavya Path, featuring military displays and cultural performances.&nbsp;
Sixteen tableaux from various states and Union Territories, along with 15 from Union Ministries and organisations took part in the event. Madhya Pradesh&rsquo;s tableau highlighted Project Cheetah and Kuno National Park.&nbsp;
The theme for this year&rsquo;s parade was &ldquo;Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas,&rdquo; focusing on the country&rsquo;s heritage and development.&nbsp;
Indonesia&rsquo;s President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest for the celebrations. This tradition of inviting a foreign leader has continued annually, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attending in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Trending | India News : The doodle features a snow leopard in Ladakhi clothing, a tiger playing a musical instrument while wearing a dhoti-kurta, and a peacock in flight. 

Google greeted India’s 76th Republic Day with a special doodle designed by Pune-based artist Rohan Dahotre. The artwork depicts animals dressed in traditional attire participating in a wildlife-themed parade, symbolising the country’s cultural and regional diversity The doodle features a snow leopard in Ladakhi clothing, a tiger playing a musical instrument while wearing a dhoti-kurta, and a peacock in flight. An antelope carrying a ceremonial staff and other animals representing different parts of India are also depicted. According to a description on Google’s website, the doodle symbolises India’s Republic Day as an occasion of “national pride and unity.” Dahotre explained that Republic Day holds great importance for the country as it brings people together and fosters patriotism. He described India as a nation with immense diversity in languages, cultures, and traditions, comparing it to a vibrant world within itself. India’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi include the annual parade at Kartavya Path, featuring military displays and cultural performances. Sixteen tableaux from various states and Union Territories, along with 15 from Union Ministries and organisations took part in the event. Madhya Pradesh’s tableau highlighted Project Cheetah and Kuno National Park. The theme for this year’s parade was “Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas,” focusing on the country’s heritage and development. Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto was the chief guest for the celebrations. This tradition of inviting a foreign leader has continued annually, with French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi attending in 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Google Doodle honours India’s 76th Republic Day with an ecological theme

'To the Moon': SpaceX to target Intuitive Machines' lander launch in February

Mission Overview

Duration

Key Technology Demonstrations

Lunar Trailblazer Rideshare

CLPS Initiative

Significance

The IM-2 lunar lander, part of Intuitive Machines' mission, is projected to take approximately four days to reach the moon, following a trajectory similar to that of other recent lunar missions, which generally take a few days for the journey.

UK&rsquo;s Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned social media platforms to remove extreme and illegal content, said a report by Telegraph. She expressed concern that just such content could encourage people to commit acts of violence.&nbsp;
Cooper&rsquo;s statement came after Axel Rudakubana, convicted of murdering three young girls in Southport, had access to violent materials online before the attack. &nbsp;
Rudakubana, sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison, viewed content including footage of an Islamist attack on an Australian bishop and downloaded an al-Qaeda manual. Despite the materials being flagged by the Home Office as aiding terrorism trials, they remain accessible on some platforms. &nbsp;
Cooper and Science Secretary Peter Kyle have written to major social media companies, including Google, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta, urging immediate removal of the content. Their letter emphasized the need for platforms to act swiftly to prevent further unlawful access to such materials, particularly those linked to Rudakubana&rsquo;s case. &nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-president-donald-trump-says-uk-pm-keir-starmer-elon-musk-criticism-8655008">Trump says UK PM Starmer is doing 'very good job' despite 'first buddy' Elon Musk's criticism</a>
While stricter regulations under the Online Safety Act will require tech companies to remove illegal content from March, the ministers urged immediate voluntary action.&nbsp;
They argued that companies have a moral obligation to prioritise public safety and ensure harmful content is not used to inspire further violence.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The investigations revealed that Rudakubana searched for graphic footage of the Australian attack, which remains available in the UK despite being removed in Australia.&nbsp;
Law enforcement agencies have also faced challenges accessing the suspect&rsquo;s full internet history.&nbsp; Rudakubana deleted all the records before carrying out the attack.&nbsp;
The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of the UK&rsquo;s counter-radicalisation program 'Prevent', particularly regarding individuals with a fixation on violent acts, such as school massacres.&nbsp;
Cooper has called for an end-to-end review to address gaps in how neurodiverse individuals are assessed within the program.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Additionally, the government is considering measures to tighten online knife sales. Rudakubana purchased the weapon used in the killings from Amazon at 17, despite prior offences involving knives. Proposed changes may require stricter ID verification for such purchases.

Cooper’s statement came after Axel Rudakubana, convicted of murdering three young girls in Southport, had access to violent materials online before the attack.  

UK’s Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned social media platforms to remove extreme and illegal content, said a report by Telegraph. She expressed concern that just such content could encourage people to commit acts of violence. Cooper’s statement came after Axel Rudakubana, convicted of murdering three young girls in Southport, had access to violent materials online before the attack. Rudakubana, sentenced to a minimum of 52 years in prison, viewed content including footage of an Islamist attack on an Australian bishop and downloaded an al-Qaeda manual. Despite the materials being flagged by the Home Office as aiding terrorism trials, they remain accessible on some platforms. Cooper and Science Secretary Peter Kyle have written to major social media companies, including Google, TikTok, X (formerly Twitter), and Meta, urging immediate removal of the content. Their letter emphasized the need for platforms to act swiftly to prevent further unlawful access to such materials, particularly those linked to Rudakubana’s case. Also read: Trump says UK PM Starmer is doing 'very good job' despite 'first buddy' Elon Musk's criticism While stricter regulations under the Online Safety Act will require tech companies to remove illegal content from March, the ministers urged immediate voluntary action. They argued that companies have a moral obligation to prioritise public safety and ensure harmful content is not used to inspire further violence. The investigations revealed that Rudakubana searched for graphic footage of the Australian attack, which remains available in the UK despite being removed in Australia. Law enforcement agencies have also faced challenges accessing the suspect’s full internet history. Rudakubana deleted all the records before carrying out the attack. The case has prompted renewed scrutiny of the UK’s counter-radicalisation program 'Prevent', particularly regarding individuals with a fixation on violent acts, such as school massacres. Cooper has called for an end-to-end review to address gaps in how neurodiverse individuals are assessed within the program. Additionally, the government is considering measures to tighten online knife sales. Rudakubana purchased the weapon used in the killings from Amazon at 17, despite prior offences involving knives. Proposed changes may require stricter ID verification for such purchases.

UK's Home Secretary warns tech giants of a 'second Southport' if extreme content isn't removed

Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni was appointed the Mahamandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara on Saturday, during the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela 2025, reported ANI.&nbsp;
However, several saints and spiritual gurus have raised questions about her appointment, especially considering Kulkarni&rsquo;s controversial past in the film industry.&nbsp;
<h2>What is Kinnar Akhara? </h2>
The Kinnar Akhara is a branch of the Juna Akhara. It was officially recognised in 2019. It is a relatively recent addition to the 13 main Akharas in India which traditionally form a part of the spiritual ecosystem surrounding the Kumbh Mela. The Kinnar Akhara is considered unique due to its inclusivity. It welcomes people from all backgrounds, including transgender individuals.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet publive-iframes-block publive-Twitter-block" contenteditable="false" width="600" height="400" id="PL_blockquote_block-m6d8scun-b3pb3762-fgoubudm">
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WATCH?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WATCH</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/MahaKumbh2025?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#MahaKumbh2025</a> | Pattabhisheka of former actress Mamta Kulkarni performed at Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada, Laxmi Narayan said that Kinnar akhada is going to make her a Mahamandleshwar. She has been named as Shri Yamai&hellip; <a href="https://t.co/5hFfFTMe1s">pic.twitter.com/5hFfFTMe1s</a>
&mdash; ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1882815856754954319?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2025</a></blockquote>
<h2>Mahamandaleshwar Role&nbsp;</h2>
The title of Mahamandaleshwar refers to the spiritual leadership position within an Akhara. The person holding this title is expected to lead and guide others in their spiritual journey. The process to be appointed as a Mahamandaleshwar typically involves a thorough examination of a person&rsquo;s character, actions, and spiritual commitment. However, Mamta Kulkarni&rsquo;s appointment has stirred controversy. Some seers and religious leaders believe that the title should not be given lightly. They argue that a person&rsquo;s conduct and character should be the primary considerations for such a significant spiritual role. They question whether Kulkarni, with her past, is an appropriate figure for this title. 
<h2>Differing Opinions&nbsp; </h2>
The reaction to Kulkarni&rsquo;s new role has been divided among spiritual leaders. While some saints are vocal in their disapproval, some of them have shown support for Kulkarni's decision. Shri Swami Anand Swaroop Maharaj, head of Shambhavi Peeth, strongly criticised the move. He added that the recognition of the Kinnar Akhara during the last Kumbh was itself problematic. He also raised concerns over what he saw as a growing trend of indiscipline and disrespect towards traditional values. He further advised the actress to not fall into the trap of such recognition. He also cautioned her against the risks associated with it.
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/from-showbiz-to-priesthood-tracing-mamta-kulkarnis-spiritual-journey-8654867">From showbiz to priesthood: Tracing Mamta Kulkarni's spiritual journey</a> On the other hand, Mahamandaleshwar Balaknanda Ji Maharaj from Niranjani Anand Akhara also expressed doubts over the appointment. He said that the process of appointing someone to such a role should be based on rigorous evaluation. He pointed out that a person&rsquo;s family background, character, and spiritual discipline should be assessed before bestowing the title. He added that the practice of assigning such titles to people without sufficient scrutiny could harm the sanctity of the Akhara system. However, other religious figures, like Mahamandaleshwar Yati Narsinghanand Giri were more supportive. Yati Giri welcomed Kulkarni&rsquo;s spiritual journey, recognising her past struggles and the potential for growth. He said that while Kulkarni may not have fulfilled all the traditional requirements for the role, her decision to embrace spirituality should be encouraged, even if some believe the process to make her a Mahamandaleshwar was rushed. The President of the Parishad, Ravindra Puri also showed a level of support to the actress. He said that spiritual renunciation could come at any time, and it is not for others to judge a person's decision to step into the spiritual world. 
He stressed the importance of the individual&rsquo;s commitment to spiritual life, as long as they follow the true meaning of Mahamandaleshwar. 
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-up-govt-declares-no-vehicle-no-vip-zone-in-prayagraj-for-maha-kumbhs-biggest-bathing-day-8652557">Maha Kumbh 2025: No-vehicle, no-VIP zones declared in Prayagraj for biggest bathing day</a>
<h2>Kulkarni&rsquo;s Transition to Spirituality</h2>
After a controversial career in Bollywood, which saw her at the centre of multiple scandals, Kulkarni turned to spirituality. In her 2013 book &lsquo;Autobiography of a Yogini&rsquo;, Kulkarni discussed her shift away from fame, explaining that she was destined for a spiritual path. Kulkarni also revealed that her first love was now God, and she had no interest in her previous life in the film industry. 
<h2>Diversity of Thoughts</h2>
Despite the controversies surrounding her, including rumours of her involvement with the underworld, Kulkarni has distanced herself from her past, focusing on her new life as a spiritual seeker. While her appointment has sparked debate, it also highlights the Akhara&rsquo;s commitment to inclusion and spiritual growth.&nbsp;

The title of Mahamandaleshwar refers to the spiritual leadership position within an Akhara. The person holding this title is expected to lead and guide others in their spiritual journey.


Former Bollywood actress Mamta Kulkarni was appointed the Mahamandleshwar of the Kinnar Akhara on Saturday, during the ongoing Mahakumbh Mela 2025, reported ANI. However, several saints and spiritual gurus have raised questions about her appointment, especially considering Kulkarni’s controversial past in the film industry. What is Kinnar Akhara? The Kinnar Akhara is a branch of the Juna Akhara. It was officially recognised in 2019. It is a relatively recent addition to the 13 main Akharas in India which traditionally form a part of the spiritual ecosystem surrounding the Kumbh Mela. The Kinnar Akhara is considered unique due to its inclusivity. It welcomes people from all backgrounds, including transgender individuals. #WATCH | #MahaKumbh2025 | Pattabhisheka of former actress Mamta Kulkarni performed at Sangam Ghat in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh. Acharya Mahamandleshwar of Kinnar Akhada, Laxmi Narayan said that Kinnar akhada is going to make her a Mahamandleshwar. She has been named as Shri Yamai… pic.twitter.com/5hFfFTMe1s — ANI (@ANI) January 24, 2025 Mahamandaleshwar Role The title of Mahamandaleshwar refers to the spiritual leadership position within an Akhara. The person holding this title is expected to lead and guide others in their spiritual journey. The process to be appointed as a Mahamandaleshwar typically involves a thorough examination of a person’s character, actions, and spiritual commitment. However, Mamta Kulkarni’s appointment has stirred controversy. Some seers and religious leaders believe that the title should not be given lightly. They argue that a person’s conduct and character should be the primary considerations for such a significant spiritual role. They question whether Kulkarni, with her past, is an appropriate figure for this title. Differing Opinions The reaction to Kulkarni’s new role has been divided among spiritual leaders. While some saints are vocal in their disapproval, some of them have shown support for Kulkarni's decision. Shri Swami Anand Swaroop Maharaj, head of Shambhavi Peeth, strongly criticised the move. He added that the recognition of the Kinnar Akhara during the last Kumbh was itself problematic. He also raised concerns over what he saw as a growing trend of indiscipline and disrespect towards traditional values. He further advised the actress to not fall into the trap of such recognition. He also cautioned her against the risks associated with it. Also read: From showbiz to priesthood: Tracing Mamta Kulkarni's spiritual journey On the other hand, Mahamandaleshwar Balaknanda Ji Maharaj from Niranjani Anand Akhara also expressed doubts over the appointment. He said that the process of appointing someone to such a role should be based on rigorous evaluation. He pointed out that a person’s family background, character, and spiritual discipline should be assessed before bestowing the title. He added that the practice of assigning such titles to people without sufficient scrutiny could harm the sanctity of the Akhara system. However, other religious figures, like Mahamandaleshwar Yati Narsinghanand Giri were more supportive. Yati Giri welcomed Kulkarni’s spiritual journey, recognising her past struggles and the potential for growth. He said that while Kulkarni may not have fulfilled all the traditional requirements for the role, her decision to embrace spirituality should be encouraged, even if some believe the process to make her a Mahamandaleshwar was rushed. The President of the Parishad, Ravindra Puri also showed a level of support to the actress. He said that spiritual renunciation could come at any time, and it is not for others to judge a person's decision to step into the spiritual world. He stressed the importance of the individual’s commitment to spiritual life, as long as they follow the true meaning of Mahamandaleshwar. Also read: Maha Kumbh 2025: No-vehicle, no-VIP zones declared in Prayagraj for biggest bathing day Kulkarni’s Transition to Spirituality After a controversial career in Bollywood, which saw her at the centre of multiple scandals, Kulkarni turned to spirituality. In her 2013 book ‘Autobiography of a Yogini’, Kulkarni discussed her shift away from fame, explaining that she was destined for a spiritual path. Kulkarni also revealed that her first love was now God, and she had no interest in her previous life in the film industry. Diversity of Thoughts Despite the controversies surrounding her, including rumours of her involvement with the underworld, Kulkarni has distanced herself from her past, focusing on her new life as a spiritual seeker. While her appointment has sparked debate, it also highlights the Akhara’s commitment to inclusion and spiritual growth.

'Mahamandleshwar': Saints question Mamta Kulkarni’s appointment as the leader of Kinnar Akhara

Author

Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Tarun Mishra

Home

Live Tv

Latest

World

India

Business

Entertainment

Sports

Opinions

Videos

Photos

Gravitas

Lifestyle

Science

Tech

Rajasthan News in Hindi: In-depth coverage of Rajasthan Crime, Political News, Education, Rajasthan Weather Update and Latest Rajasthan News on Zee News Rajasthan.