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Actress Nupur Alankar, a familiar face in popular television shows such as Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo and Ghar Ki Laxmi Betiyann, made headlines in 2022 when she chose to renounce worldly life and embrace spirituality. The actress, who had enjoyed a long and successful career in the entertainment industry, walked away from the limelight to dedicate herself completely to spiritual practice. In a conversation with Telly Talk India, Nupur opened up about the life-changing events that led her to take sanyaas (renunciation). She revealed that while she had always maintained a disciplined, spiritually inclined lifestyle even during her acting years, a series of personal and financial hardships ultimately pushed her toward the path of detachment and devotion. The Turning Point: PMC Bank Scam And Personal Losses Changed Everything Nupur recalled that the PMC Bank scam, which left thousands of account holders in financial distress, was a major turning point in her life. “Everything that has happened in my life, you will find that on Google. It all started with the PMC bank scam when the harsh realities of life hit. After this scam, my mother fell sick, and there were financial issues with her treatment. My mother’s and my sister’s deaths were the last straw,” she shared. These back-to-back losses and emotional struggles left her detached from worldly concerns. “I had started disconnecting from the world before that. I was not interested in living this worldly life, so all those who were connected with me, I took their permission. They unwillingly agreed, and then I took to the spiritual path,” Nupur revealed. How Spirituality Transformed Nupur Alankar’s Life Despite the hardships she faced, Nupur now radiates peace and contentment. She has often spoken about how her spiritual journey brought her immense clarity and inner calm. “It actually became easier after I stepped away from the material world. Earlier, there were bills, lifestyle costs, diets to maintain. During my time away, I managed with 10,000 to 12,000 rupees a month,” she said. She also shared details about her ascetic lifestyle, explaining, “There is also a practice called bhikshatan (asking for alms), which I observe a few times a year. I beg for alms and share that offering with God and my guru. It dissolves the ego. I live with four or five pairs of clothes. People who visit ashrams bring offerings, sometimes clothes too, and that is enough.” Her simple, minimalist way of living has taken her to remote and challenging environments. Nupur revealed that she has lived in caves and even endured rat bites and frostbite during her spiritual pursuits. Nupur Alankar’s New Identity As Peetambra Maa In 2022, Nupur made the bold decision to permanently step away from the entertainment world. As reported by Economic Times, she formally embraced sanyaas and took on the spiritual name Peetambra Maa. Marriage And Mutual Respect: Alankar Srivastava’s Support Nupur’s marriage to television actor Alankar Srivastava lasted for over two decades before she chose to follow her spiritual calling. Despite their separation, Alankar reportedly remained supportive of her life-altering decision. The Financial Crisis That Sparked A Spiritual Journey The PMC Bank crisis of 2019 had devastating effects on Nupur’s life. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) dissolved the board of the bank and imposed strict withdrawal limits after discovering severe financial irregularities. Like many depositors, Nupur found herself unable to access her savings, forcing her into financial distress. She had earlier opened up about the ordeal, revealing, “With no money at home and all our accounts frozen, I was left with no option but to sell off my jewellery. In fact, I had to borrow Rs 3,000 from a fellow actor. Another one transferred Rs 500 for my commute. So far, I have borrowed Rs 50,000 from friends. There is no clarity on when the problem will be resolved and we are scared that we will lose our money.” Nupur’s Struggle During The PMC Bank Scandal Her words from that period captured her despair and frustration: “Little did I know that my family members and my life savings will be frozen like this… How am I expected to survive without money? Should I mortgage my house now? Why is there a cap on my own hard-earned money? I have been diligently paying income tax, so why am I suffering today?” A Life Beyond Fame: Nupur’s Message To The World Today, Nupur Alankar, now known as Peetambra Maa, lives a life of simplicity and devotion. She urges people to focus on inner peace rather than material gains, encouraging them to build a stronger connection with the divine.
