Urvashi Rautela's 'temple' remark sparks outrage in Uttarakhand, priests and religious groups demand action: 'It is not her temple'

Urvashi Rautela has stirred controversy after claiming in an interview that there is a temple dedicated to her near the revered Badrinath Dham in Uttarakhand. The actor made the remarks during a conversation with host Siddharth Kannan, which has since gone viral on social media.
Speaking about the “Urvashi Temple,” Rautela said, “I am being serious about it. It is true. There are news articles about the same too. You can read them.” She added that students from Delhi University often visit the temple and even garland her pictures, calling her ‘Damdamamai’.
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Sacred site linked to Goddess Urvashi, not the actor
Located in Bamni near Badrinath, the Urvashi Temple holds deep religious significance and is believed to be dedicated to Goddess Urvashi. According to local mythology, the deity is said to have either emerged from Lord Vishnu’s thigh or from a spot where parts of Goddess Sati fell — stories that tie the temple to ancient Hindu beliefs.
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Former Badrinath religious officer and priest Bhuwan Chandra Uniyal strongly refuted Rautela’s claims. “It is not her temple. Such statements are unacceptable, and the government should take strict steps against anyone making such claims,” he was quoted as saying by India Today.
He further clarified, “The Urvashi Temple is associated with Goddess Sati and is considered a part of the 108 Shaktipeeths. It is a sacred site worshipped by residents of Bamni and Pandukeshwar villages as part of their spiritual tradition.”
Locals express anger over 'ownership' claim
Amit Sati, President of the Brahma Kapal Teerth Purohit Society, also condemned Rautela’s statement. “Such statements disrespect the religious sentiments of the people here,” he said, adding that the temple is ancient and holds no personal association with any individual.
Residents of Bamni and nearby Pandukeshwar have reportedly reacted with anger, with many expressing that Rautela’s comments were insensitive to their religious sentiments. Local villager Ramnarayan Bhandari stated that temples of such historical and cultural importance should not be personalized or associated with individuals from the entertainment industry.

Actor hints at wanting temple in South India
In the same interview, Urvashi also said she would like a temple in her name in the South, as she has worked in several South Indian films. When the interviewer asked, “So, you want a temple in the South?”, Urvashi replied, “Yes, because I have worked in the South, so it (temple) should be there.”