A familiar face from popular Hindi TV shows has taken a path few in the entertainment world choose. Actor Nupur Alankar, who worked in serials such as Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, Reth, Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann and Shaktimaan, left television a few years ago, took sanyas and travelled across India for three years. Today, she is known as Peetambra Maa, as per a Times of India report.
Nupur spent more than two decades in the industry, but she walked away from the screen life and embraced a spiritual journey that involved caves, mountains and minimal comforts.
She also featured in Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam (2009), Diya Aur Baati Hum (2011), Bhaage Re Mann (2015), Gangaa (2015) and Pehel Ek Nayi Subah (2018).
For many viewers, she was the steady supporting presence in some of television’s most-watched family dramas.
She returned to Mumbai, not for a comeback, but to share what she calls her spiritual learning.
On her new identity, she said, "Peetambra is the name of the deity of justice", adding she is "here to guide people, to help them fight negativity and reconnect with the divine."
Living with minimum needs
Her spiritual path also included learning to survive with very little. Talking about her expenses, she shared,
"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."
"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."
A rare exit from television
While many actors take breaks, Nupur’s complete shift to spiritual life stands out. For someone who appeared in many well-known shows, her sudden farewell to the limelight and adoption of sanyas remains a unique chapter in the television industry.
Nupur spent more than two decades in the industry, but she walked away from the screen life and embraced a spiritual journey that involved caves, mountains and minimal comforts.
TV journey across two decades
In the late 90s and 2000s, Nupur appeared in several daily soaps across channels. She played Kamini in Shaktimaan (1997), Devyani Samar Pandey in Reth (2004), Halki Garodia in Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann (2006), and Manjari Prasad in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo (2009).She also featured in Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam (2009), Diya Aur Baati Hum (2011), Bhaage Re Mann (2015), Gangaa (2015) and Pehel Ek Nayi Subah (2018).
For many viewers, she was the steady supporting presence in some of television’s most-watched family dramas.
Life after quitting showbiz
According to the report, Nupur travelled to the Himalayas, ancient caves and various ashrams after quitting acting. She lived without heaters, modern facilities or regular shelter. During her time away, she said she "endured frostbite, rat bites, and battled a month-long dysentery episode in freezing temperatures."She returned to Mumbai, not for a comeback, but to share what she calls her spiritual learning.
“Peetambra is the name of the deity of justice”
Nupur now goes by the name Peetambra Maa. Speaking to Mumbai Mirror earlier this year, she said she does not miss Mumbai or the entertainment industry.On her new identity, she said, "Peetambra is the name of the deity of justice", adding she is "here to guide people, to help them fight negativity and reconnect with the divine."
Living with minimum needs
Her spiritual path also included learning to survive with very little. Talking about her expenses, she shared,"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."
"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."
