Actor Urvashi Rautela's recent comments about a temple in Uttarakhand being "hers" have ignited a major controversy, drawing sharp criticism from local priests, religious officials, and residents in the region, especially in Badrinath. The Urvashi Temple, situated near the Badrinath Dham, is considered sacred by the locals, and Rautela's remarks about it being connected to her have raised questions about her understanding of the cultural and religious significance of the place.
During an interview with Siddharth Kannan, Rautela discussed the Urvashi Temple, claiming that it attracts many devotees, including students from Delhi University, who reportedly offer garlands to her pictures and refer to her as ‘Damdamamai’. She went on to say, “I am being serious about it. It is true. There are news articles about the same too. You can read them.” This statement quickly went viral and caused a stir, with many taking offense at her suggestion that she had some ownership or special connection to such a revered place.
The temple, known as the Urvashi Temple, is located in Bamni, a small village near the Badrinath Dham, and holds immense religious value for locals. According to local legends, the temple is dedicated to Goddess Urvashi, with some variations suggesting that the goddess emerged either from the thigh of Lord Vishnu or from the spot where parts of Goddess Sati’s body fell. This has led to the temple being regarded as one of the 108 Shaktipeeths, sacred sites linked to the worship of Goddess Sati.
Local priest Bhuwan Chandra Uniyal, who formerly served as the religious officer at Badrinath Dham, was quick to reject Rautela’s statements, calling them misleading and disrespectful. He clarified that the Urvashi Temple is deeply associated with Goddess Sati and not with any individual. Uniyal also stressed that the temple is integral to the spiritual practices of the residents of Bamni and Pandukeshwar villages, who have been worshipping at the site for generations. He expressed his concern, saying that Rautela’s claim of the temple being "hers" was both unfounded and inappropriate.
Amit Sati, the President of the Brahma Kapal Teerth Purohit Society, added his voice to the growing condemnation of Rautela’s remarks. He asserted that the Urvashi Temple is an ancient and sacred place, and its significance lies in its connection to the divine, not any individual. “Such statements disrespect the religious sentiments of the people here,” he said, pointing out the deep reverence the community has for the temple.
In response to these developments, residents of the villages around Badrinath, including Bamni and Pandukeshwar, have expressed their anger. Ramnarayan Bhandari, a local resident, shared his frustration, arguing that no individual should claim ownership of a religious site with profound cultural and mythological importance. He emphasized that the entire community felt strongly opposed to Rautela’s statements, which they viewed as disrespectful to their religious beliefs.
The controversy was further fueled by other comments from Rautela in the same interview, in which she suggested that she would like a temple in her name in the South of India, given her work in the South Indian film industry. The interviewer jokingly asked, “So, you want a temple in the South?”, to which Rautela replied with confidence, “Yes, because I have worked in the South, so it (temple) should be there.” This remark was met with criticism as it seemed to trivialize the deep spiritual and cultural importance of temples, reducing them to personal requests or associations.
The temple in Uttarakhand, which holds centuries of religious significance, is seen as a sacred space, not as a site for personal claims by individuals, regardless of their status or celebrity. By referring to the Urvashi Temple in such a manner, Rautela's comments have raised uncomfortable questions about her awareness of the cultural sensitivities surrounding religious institutions.
As the controversy continues to grow, many have called for action to be taken against individuals who make such claims without regard for the religious sentiments of the community. Some have argued that Rautela's remarks have shown a lack of respect for the traditions and values that are deeply ingrained in the culture of Uttarakhand.
Moreover, the episode has brought to light broader issues concerning the treatment of sacred spaces and the influence of celebrity culture. As people in the region and beyond demand accountability, it is clear that Rautela’s comments have touched a nerve, highlighting the complexities of navigating the intersection of fame and cultural respect.
In the wake of the controversy, Urvashi Rautela has faced backlash not only from religious officials but also from ordinary people who feel that her remarks trivialize the reverence attached to places of worship. While some have called for apologies, others have sought a more formal response from the actor, demanding an explanation for her statements.
At the core of the issue is the sacredness of religious sites, which should be preserved and respected by all. It remains to be seen whether Rautela will address the backlash and offer a public clarification regarding her comments. In the meantime, the controversy over the Urvashi Temple continues to stir debate, with many calling for more sensitivity when discussing matters of faith.
