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Ram Janmbhoomi Connection to Korea!


Ayodhya is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and one of the most sacred cities in India. In fact, countries with a huge Hindu population like Nepal and Bhutan also consider Ayodhya a sacred place. But did you know that Koreans also consider Ayodhya a sacred place, as they consider Ram Janmabhoomi as their maternal place? Today, for most Indians, the connection to Korea is defined by their most popular companies: Samsung, Hyundai, LG Electronics, among others.

But India's historic ties to Korea date back more than 2000  years when Korea was a collection of tribal city-states. Incredibly, 6 million Koreans, or almost 10% of the Korean population, date back to an Indian princess of Ayodhya. Do you want to know more about this interesting Indian-Korean connection? Come on, let's dive into the mystery.

This belief comes from several historical stories of Korea which tell the story of an Indian princess Suriratna who married a King from South Korea and started a dynasty. According to Korean legends princess of Ayodhya, Suriratna travel to South Korea at age of 16, she was sent to Korea by her father King of Ayodhya who received a divine order in his dream to do. 

Suriratna undertook the journey accompanied by her brother, a prince of Ayodhya. That incident Korean researchers claim to have occurred in 48 AD. She was received by King Kim Suro, upon arrival both get married and founded the Karak dynasty. the king appreciated her so much that he built the temple where they met first.

Suriratna’s story is described in old Korean text, Samguk Yusa, also known as Smaguk Sagi which means the memories of three kingdoms. It is said that Suriratna or Heo Hwang-ok lived 189 years. After her death a tomb was built in Gimhae, there is a stone Pagoda in front of the Queen's grave.

The South Koreans believe that Pagoda has the stone she carried from Ayodhya. Today more than 6 million people in South Korea, claim their ancestry to the princess of Ayodhya. These are the people known as the Kim and Cho communities in South Korea. Former President, Kim Young-Sam and Prime Minister, King Jong-Pil were of the same lineage.

 

Relevant Links 

http://www.lifeinkorea.com/Travel2/338

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