The historic and cultural ties between Ram Nagari Ayodhya and South Korea continue to grow stronger. On Wednesday, a 10-foot-tall bronze statue of Queen Heo Hwang-ok, believed to be an Ayodhya princess who later became a revered queen of South Korea, was officially unveiled in Ayodhya.
The unveiling ceremony was conducted by Ayodhya Mayor Mahant Girish Pati Tripathi at the Korea Memorial Park. Originally, a delegation from South Korea was scheduled to unveil the statue, but due to adverse weather conditions, the delegation could not reach Ayodhya. As a result, the mayor formally inaugurated the statue.
Statue Crafted in South Korea, Installed in Ayodhya
The bronze statue of Queen Heo Hwang-ok stands 10 feet tall and weighs approximately 1.2 tonnes. It was crafted in South Korea using special Korean metal and transported to India via sea route. The statue was brought to Ayodhya earlier this week and installed at the Korea Memorial Park located along the banks of the Sarayu River.
The park also features statues of other revered figures and deities, highlighting the deep spiritual and historical connections between India and Korea.
Queen Heo Memorial Park in Ayodhya
According to historical beliefs, Princess Suriratna of Ayodhya, nearly 2,000 years ago, traveled by sea to South Korea, where she married King Kim Suro of the Gaya (Karak) dynasty and became known as Queen Heo Hwang-ok. Her legacy continues to be honored in both countries.
In her memory, the foundation stone of the Korea Memorial Park was laid in Ayodhya in 1999. Since then, the park has been developed with the cooperation of the Ayodhya Development Authority, Municipal Corporation, and South Korean representatives. Further beautification and expansion of the park are being carried out in phases.
A Symbol of Strong India–South Korea Relations
The installation of Queen Heo’s statue symbolizes the centuries-old cultural bond between India and South Korea. Every year, descendants of Queen Heo visit Ayodhya to pay tribute at her memorial along the Sarayu riverbank, reinforcing people-to-people connections between the two nations.
Queen Heo Memorial Park: Key Features
Spread across 2,000 square meters, the Queen Heo Memorial Park was constructed at a cost of ₹18 crore. Construction began in September 2019 and was completed in November 2021. The park includes:
- Meditation Hall
- Queen Pavilion and King Pavilion
- Water Tank and Foot Over Bridge
- Substation and Tubewell
- Walking Pathways and Toilets
- Fountain and Landscape Gardens
- Sculptures and Murals
- Audio-Visual Systems
- Guard Room, Boundary Wall, Parking Area, and Pond
The park was officially inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on March 4, 2024, and its operations have been handed over to a private company under a management agreement.
