A recent remark by actress Urvashi Rautela has sparked outrage among priests and residents near Badrinath in Uttarakhand. In one of her latest interviews, Urvashi claimed that a temple in Bamni, located near the sacred Badrinath Dham, was built in her name. However, this statement has not gone down well with the local community.
In an interview with Siddharth Kanan, Urvashi said, "There is a temple in my name in Uttarakhand. If one visits Badrinath, there is a 'Urvashi temple' right next to it."
She also said that the devotees, including Delhi University students, visit it, garland her photos, and even refer to her as 'Damdamamai'. She insisted, "I am being serious about it. It is true. There are news articles about the same too. You can read them."
However, her claim triggered backlash from religious figures and villagers. According to a report in India Today, local priest Bhuwan Chandra Uniyal, a former religious officer at Badrinath Dham, called the statement misleading and factually incorrect.
He clarified that the Urvashi Temple is not associated with the actor but is an ancient place of worship believed to be dedicated to Goddess Urvashi, a celestial figure in Hindu mythology, and in some legends, a form of Goddess Sati.
"The temple is part of our sacred traditions and is counted among the 108 Shaktipeeths," Uniyal said. He further demanded that strict action be taken against the actress for attempting to associate her identity with a revered religious site.
"It is not her temple. Such statements are unacceptable, and the government should take strict steps against anyone making such claims," he added.
Amit Sati, President of the Brahma Kapal Teerth Purohit Society, also condemned Urvashi's remark, claiming that the temple is centuries-old with deep spiritual significance. "Such statements disrespect the religious sentiments of the people here," he said.
Reportedly, residents from the villages of Bamni and Pandukeshwar, who regularly worship at the temple, have also voiced their anger. For them, the site is not just a place of devotion but a living symbol of cultural and religious heritage.
Urvashi has not reacted to the controversy yet.
Meanwhile, on the work front, the actress is currently busy promoting her song Sorry Bol, a part of Sunny Deol and Randeep Hooda's film Jaat.
