PRAYAGRAJ, Nov. 4 -- The Kinnar Akhada, which came into existence in 2016, has split. Kaushalyanand Giri also known as "Tina Maa", the state in-charge of Kinnar Akhada and a member of the Uttar Pradesh Kinnar Welfare Board, has formed a new Akhada to protest the growing dominance of actress Mamta Kulkarni in the Akhada.

Tina Maa laid the foundation for the Sanatani Kinnar Akhada in Prayagraj, and its registration was completed on Monday.

On Tuesday morning, the Kinnar community will unanimously declare her the Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the new Sanatani Akhada and perform the consecration rituals.

Tina Maa said on Monday that she has been at odds with the Akhada for which she served as Mahamandaleshwar and state in-charge. She accused...