Urvashi Rautela Faces Backlash Over Claim of Temple Dedicated to Her Near Badrinath:

Actress Urvashi Rautela has courted controversy after claiming that a temple located close to Badrinath in Uttarakhand bears her name. While giving an interview, Rautela remarked that the ‘Urvashi Temple’ near Badrinath Dham is dedicated in her honor, invoking anger from the religious prectors and locals.

Claim Sparks Backlash

Outrageous Claim During Interview

Urvashi, accompanied by her mother, told interviewer Siddharth Kannan that her name is associated to a temple close to Badrinath. I quote, ‘There is a temple in my name,’ yes, people come there to worship to, they offer garlands to my photographs which are in the temple.

As She Explains Herself

Rautela in her defense stated media articles and other stories she pointed out where she stated that students from Delhi University call her by “Damdamamai” supported her claim.

Badrinath Dham Authorities

Religious Leaders Strongly Refute the Claim

Bhuwan Chandra Uniyal, former religious officer branded her claim as “deceptive.” He went on to say, the Urvashi Temple is set aside for the worship of some mythological goddess, and is regarded as one of the sacred 108 Shaktipeeths.

Local Priests And Communities

Amit Sati, of the Brahma Kapal Teerth Purohit Society, stressed that the temple has no association with contemporary people for, he and others from the area, claimed Rautela for having disregarded the culture and sentiments of religion, has no place.

Public Assessment

People in the neighboring villages such as Bamni and Pandukeshwar also raised dissenting voices. A number of them think that to mix individual vanity with fame to sacred places will severely damage their spiritual value.

Further Comments Add to Controversy

Remarks Relating to the south Indian Temple

While interviewing her, Rautela spoke of her wish to have temples constructed in her honor in South India because she is currently working in the region’s film industry.

Wider Issues

These comments have added to the debate on whether the connection of individual celebrity status with a place of worship is proper.