The Ram Katha Park on the banks of the Sarayu river in Uttar Pradesh’s Ayodhya is getting a major facelift. The park, which is set to be inaugurated on November 4, has acres of green space and will be known as Queen Heo Hwang-ok Memorial Park. Queen Heo Hwang-ok was a Korean queen believed to have Indian roots. 

Earlier this month, a movie based on the queen’s life, directed by Imran Khan was screened at Kamani Auditorium at Korean Centre for Culture in Delhi. The movie ‘The Legend of Princess Sriratna’ celebrated the park’s completion in Ayodhya.

Who was Queen Heo Hwang-ok?

Daughter of King Padmasen and Idumati, the Korean queen is believed to have been born Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya. Padmasen was the ruler of the ancient kingdom of Kausala. Her story has been described in a 13th-century collection of legends known as Samguk Yusa (Memorabilia of Three Kingdoms).

The memorabilia is the collection of folktales and history of Korea’s three kingdoms — Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. It also includes some other regions.

The princess, aged 16 in 48 BC, travelled to Korea from the ancient land of ‘Ayuta’ and married Kim Suro. He was the King and founder of Geumgwan Gaya in south-eastern Korea.

As per a report in Indian Express, she was sent to Korea along with an entourage after her father had a dream about her marrying King Suro. She travelled by boat.

Reportedly located around modern-day Gimhae city, Geumgwan Gaya first queen is believed to be Heo Hwang-ok. The couple reportedly have had 12 children.

What is her significance, legacy?

More than six million present-day Koreans trace their lineage to Heo Hwang-ok. For years now, many Koreans are believed to have visited Ayodhya to pay homage to the queen’s ancestral home. In South Korea‘s Gimhae two tombs are maintained as a memorial park. A pagoda is also placed next to the tomb.

What’s the memorial park in Ayodhya connect?

India and South Korea inked an agreement in 2000 to develop Ayodhya and Gimhae as sister cities. The memorial space that was unveiled in 2001 received a refurbishing proposal in 2016.

The inuaguration of the beautification work in 2018 was attended by South Korean First Lady Kim Jung-sook.

How much of the story is true?

While the story has strengthened the relationship between the two countries, there are still some debates about her Indian origins. While Samguk Yusa talks about Ayuta, no Indian document mentions her. As per some historians, she could be from Thailand’s Ayutthaya kingdom. This theory doesn’t hold ground as the kingdom in Thailand came about in 1350 that is years after Samguk Yusa had already been written.