Actress Urvashi Rautela has responded to the criticism she faced after what she said about a temple in Uttarakhand. In a recent interview to Siddharth Kannan, she stated, “There is a temple in my name in Uttarakhand. If someone goes to Badrinath, there happens to be a ‘Urvashi temple’ beside it.’ When asked if people go there to get their blessings, she laughed and replied, “Ab mandir hai toh woh hi toh karenge (It’s a temple, they will do that).”
Subsequently, social media commentators condemned her for being ‘delusional’, and religious leaders condemned her for disrespecting religion and called on the authorities to act.
In response, Urvashi’s team issued an official clarification on Saturday. The statement said, “Urvashi Rautela said that there is a temple in my name in Uttarakhand, not Urvashi Rautela’s temple. Now people don’t even listen to things properly; just hearing ‘Urvashi’ or ‘temple,’ they assumed that people worship Urvashi Rautela. Listen to this video properly and then speak (sic).”
The actress also appealed for greater responsibility in reporting and asked individuals to check facts prior to reacting. “It is imperative that prior to making false allegations or disparaging remarks against any person, the facts are well checked. All members of society have to treat one another with respect and understanding so that the rights of all can be protected (sic),” she added further.
The outrage is based on a misunderstanding about the naming of the Urvashi Temple near Badrinath. Contrary to the belief that it is being named after the actor, the temple has mythological significance in Hindu mythology. The temple is said to be one of the 108 Shaktipeeths which is owned by Goddess Sati. According to mythology, the temple is where part of the goddess’s body dropped.
