There are few people who can walk away from fame at the height of their career—and even fewer who do it for spirituality. Nupur Alankar, a familiar face on Indian television for over two decades, shocked many when she decided to leave showbiz behind to live a life of complete renunciation. Today, she’s known as Peetambra Maa, a spiritual guide who traded red carpets and cameras for meditation mats and mountain caves.
Her story—from glitz and lights to peace and silence—is as moving as it is inspiring.
Who is Nupur Alankar? The Television Star Who Chose Sanyaas
If you grew up watching Indian television in the late ‘90s and 2000s, chances are you’ve seen Nupur Alankar on screen. She was that reliable, expressive actress who brought authenticity to every role—whether she was playing a loving mother, a friend, or a scheming socialite.
She started her journey in the popular superhero show Shaktimaan back in 1997, playing Kamini, the film gossip writer. From there, her career flourished. She portrayed Devyani Samar Pandey in Reth (2004), Halki Garodia in Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann (2006), and the unforgettable Manjari Prasad in Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo (2009). Her acting credits continued with Diya Aur Baati Hum, Yeh Pyar Na Hoga Kam, Gangaa, and Bhaage Re Mann, among others.
For years, Nupur was a steady and respected presence on screen—a hardworking performer who loved her craft. But then, something shifted.
A few years ago, she made the life-altering decision to quit showbiz. It wasn’t a mid-career break or a quiet retirement—it was a complete spiritual surrender. She renounced the material world to live as a sanyasini (female monk), letting go of everything she once owned.
Her decision came after a series of painful life events—the sudden freezing of her savings during the PMC Bank crisis and the devastating loss of her mother and sister. “That was the last straw,” she later said. “It made me question everything—why we chase so much and what really matters.”
The Himalayas Calling: Three Years of Spiritual Endurance
After stepping away from Mumbai’s chaos, Nupur Alankar set out on a journey that few would dare to take. She traveled across India, from ashrams to the Himalayas, living simply and embracing the life of a renunciate.
It wasn’t an Instagram-worthy spiritual retreat—it was real, raw, and often brutal. For three years, she lived in caves and remote mountain regions with no heaters, no comfort, and sometimes not even a roof. “I survived frostbite, rat bites, and even a month of dysentery in freezing temperatures,” she revealed in an interview.
But despite the hardship, Nupur found something she had never felt before—peace.
She lived on as little as ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 a month, wore only a few pairs of clothes, and even practiced bhikshatan—the act of begging for alms, a spiritual discipline meant to crush the ego. “I wanted to dissolve everything that made me ‘someone,’” she said. “Only then can you truly see God.”
Her time in solitude changed her perspective completely. She realized how little one actually needs to live and how quiet life becomes when you’re not chasing more.
The New Identity: Peetambra Maa and Her Divine Mission
When Nupur Alankar returned to Mumbai, it wasn’t to face the camera again—it was to guide others. Now known as Peetambra Maa, she sees her life’s purpose as helping people connect with the divine and overcome negativity.
“The name ‘Peetambra’ comes from the deity of justice,” she explained. “I chose it because I want to help people find balance and clarity in life.”
Her message is simple but powerful: Chant the name of God. She often encourages followers to practice Naam Jap—the repetition of divine names—as a way to protect oneself from the anxiety and darkness of modern times.
Interestingly, she says she doesn’t miss her old life at all. “It’s actually easier now,” she shared. “Back then, I was always worried about bills, rent, and maintaining a lifestyle. Now, I just live in the moment. I don’t act anymore—this is my real life.”
A Rare and Inspiring Renunciation
In a time when fame is everything, Nupur Alankar’s journey from actress to ascetic stands out as something rare and deeply moving. Her story isn’t about rejecting the world—it’s about finding truth beyond it.
She faced freezing nights, hunger, and loneliness—yet found a sense of strength and peace that the spotlight never gave her. Her decision to walk away from success and security to live in surrender shows incredible courage.
Even her friends in the entertainment industry were stunned at first, but many now express admiration for her conviction. As Peetambra Maa, she continues to meet people, share teachings, and inspire others to live with simplicity and mindfulness.
A Journey from Lights to Light Within
Today, Nupur Alankar, the actress who once lit up screens in Shaktimaan and Agle Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo, lives a life devoted to inner light instead of outer fame. Her transformation into Peetambra Maa reminds us that the most powerful journeys are often inward.
She left behind fame, luxury, and recognition—only to discover something much greater: peace. In her words and her silence, she has become a living example of what it means to truly let go and live from the soul.
In a world obsessed with success and visibility, her story whispers a simple truth—that the real spotlight is the one that shines from within.
Conclusion
Nupur Alankar’s spiritual transformation into Peetambra Maa is a story of strength, surrender, and self-realization. By choosing sanyaas and leaving showbiz behind, she showed that peace isn’t found in fame—it’s found in faith.
From playing memorable roles on television to living as a spiritual teacher, her journey is proof that the biggest transformation in life often begins when we stop performing and start listening—to our heart, to silence, and to the divine.