The recent renovation and renaming of Ram Katha Park, located on the Sarayu riverbanks in Ayodhya, has captured the attention of the public. Fondly referred to as the Queen Heo Hwang-ok memorial park, it commemorates a Korean queen alleged to have Indian roots. This development mirrors the bond between the two nations that was cemented in 2000 when India and South Korea officially recognized Ayodhya and Gimhae as sister cities.
About the Korean Queen with Indian Roots
Queen Heo Hwang-ok, initially known as Princess Suriratna, is believed to have hailed from Ayodhya, in present-day Uttar Pradesh. Her parents were King Padmasen and Queen Indumati who ruled over the ancient kingdom of Kausala, spanning areas from modern Uttar Pradesh to Odisha. The newly refurbished park in her memory now features busts of her and her husband, King Kim Suro, in separate pavilions, and a pond symbolizing Princess Suriratna’s expedition from India to Korea.
The Historical Background of the Korean Queen
The tale of Queen Heo Hwang-ok is highlighted in the “Samguk Yusa” or “Memorabilia of Three Kingdoms”. This 13th-century collection amalgamates legends, folktales, and historical records of three Korean kingdoms – Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla, along with other regions. As per the legend, in 48 BC, Princess Suriratna voyaged from the ancient land of ‘Ayuta’ to Korea and got married to Kim Suro, the founder and king of Geumgwan Gaya, located in southeast Korea.
The Geographic Mystery Surrounding the Legend
The exact location of the ‘Ayuta’ landform, mentioned in the tale of Heo Hwang-ok, remains clouded in mystery. Some historians debate that the princess could have originated from Thailand’s Ayutthaya kingdom. However, the popular narrative connects ‘Ayuta’ with Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, despite the absence of Indian textual reference to back this belief.
Reliving the Princess’s Voyage from India to Korea
According to the legend, Princess Suriratna undertook a sea journey to Korea, escorted by her entourage. Her father, King Padmasen, had dreamt about his daughter marrying King Suro and subsequently sent her to Korea. A pagoda, reportedly transported by the queen from India to placate the oceanic gods, lies next to the tomb. The legend also tells of a golden egg brought by the princess to Korea, represented in the park by an egg carved out of granite.
The India-Korea Friendship Park
The tale of Queen Hwang-ok and her Indian heritage is not just honored in Ayodhya but also finds representation in Delhi. In March 2021, the Indian Defence Minister, along with his South Korean counterpart, unveiled the India-Korea Friendship Park at the Delhi Cantonment, substantiating the cultural ties that bind the two countries.
