Actor Urvashi Rautela has found herself embroiled in a significant controversy after an interview where she allegedly claimed that a temple near the Badrinath shrine in Uttarakhand was built in her name. This sparked a strong backlash from religious leaders and local residents, who accused the actor of making misleading statements about a sacred site. In response, Rautela's team issued an official clarification, arguing that her words had been misinterpreted and taken out of context.
According to the statement issued by her team, Rautela never claimed that the temple was dedicated to her, as some media outlets and social media users suggested. Instead, the actor clarified that there is a temple in Uttarakhand associated with the name Urvashi, but it is not a temple that worships her. The confusion arose when people, upon hearing the combination of Urvashi and temple, assumed that Rautela was claiming ownership of the temple. Rautela's team further explained that her reference to being "worshipped" was not meant to be taken literally but was instead in connection with her being affectionately referred to as ‘Damdami Mai’ at Delhi University by students. The actor’s team also issued a stern warning, stating that legal action would be pursued against anyone who deliberately misrepresented her comments.
In addition to the clarification, Rautela took to her social media platforms to set the record straight, urging her followers to refrain from making derogatory remarks and to verify the facts before forming opinions. She called for more respect and understanding in society, urging people to protect the rights of others and refrain from defaming individuals without proper verification of their statements. Rautela emphasized that spreading misinformation about her, or anyone else, was detrimental to maintaining harmony in society.
The controversy erupted during an interview with Siddharth Kannan, where Rautela was discussing the temple near the Badrinath Dham. She mentioned that this temple had become a significant place for devotees, especially students from Delhi University, who would visit the site, offer garlands to her photos, and refer to her as ‘Damdami Mai’. Rautela stated that she was being serious about the claims, and even referenced news articles to support her statements. She also mentioned her desire for a temple to be built in her honor in South India, owing to her work in South Indian films.
However, Rautela's statement quickly became the subject of intense controversy, leading to widespread criticism from the locals and spiritual leaders. Bhuwan Chandra Uniyal, a former religious officer of the Badrinath Dham, was particularly vocal in his criticism. Uniyal clarified that the Urvashi Temple in the region is associated with Goddess Sati, a revered figure in Hindu mythology, and is part of the 108 Shaktipeeths—important pilgrimage sites for devotees. He also explained that the temple is an integral part of the religious practices of the people from Bamni and Pandukeshwar villages, who have worshipped there for generations as part of their spiritual traditions.
Unniyal went on to denounce Rautela’s remarks as misleading and demanded that legal action be taken against her for what he termed as the misrepresentation of a religious site. He urged the government to step in and prevent such statements from being made in the future, as it could lead to confusion and undermine the sanctity of the place. Additionally, Ramnarayan Bhandari, a local resident, joined the criticism, asserting that no individual had the right to make personal claims about a temple that holds such historical and cultural significance. He emphasized that the entire community stood in opposition to Rautela’s remarks and that any attempt to appropriate the temple for personal gain was unacceptable.
The entire controversy has sparked a larger debate about the responsibilities of public figures when discussing sacred or culturally significant topics. Rautela’s comments, whether intentional or not, have stirred strong emotions, especially given the spiritual importance of the Urvashi Temple and its connection to Goddess Sati. Critics argue that such statements can have a lasting impact on the reverence people hold for these religious sites, and care must be taken when speaking about them in public forums. Meanwhile, Rautela's supporters contend that the actor's comments were taken out of context and that she never intended to disrespect the temple or its devotees.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Rautela will address the issue moving forward and whether any legal action will be taken against her for making the controversial statements. The controversy also serves as a reminder of the fine line that public figures must walk when discussing topics that have deep religious and cultural significance.
