Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is collaborating with the Draupadi Dream Trust to put the Draupadi’s home town Kampilya in Uttar Pradesh on the tourism map of the state.
Neera Misra who is a resident of that area and has been carrying out a extensive research on Draupadi for the past several years said that they have already sent a proposal to the UP Tourism Department for the formation of the Kampliya-Sankisa Heritage Development Board for its development.
A senior Tourism official while talking to “The Pioneer” said that the the proposal for the Board has been sent to the various Government Departments for NOC. “After receiving the NOC from the various departments it will be sent for approval for the next cabinet” he said.
Neera Misra who has actively mooted for the project said that this it is necessary to highlight Draupadi who was the first iconic women who spoke against the prevalent traditions and was a great inspiration for women empowernment.
She said that the main aim of the exercise was to recognize the enhancement of the status of girls and women of this region, and UP as a whole and bringing positive change in attitude towards women “In the words o Ram Manohar Lohia –“If I have to Choose between Sita and Draupadi, I would always look upon Draupadi as the ideal woman. It is very important to highlight Draupadi” she said.
Giving a brief history of the place she said that Farrukhabad is under Kanpur Commissioner and formed part of erstwhile rich Panchala Janapada mentioned in ancient Texts which comprised of Kanpur, Farukhabad, Bareilly Badaun, Shahjahanpur, Etah, Etawah Mainpuri, Rampur districts.
She said that Draupadi’s Kampilya was now a kasba in Tehshil kaimganj and has as a Nationally Protected site of ASI
“If we talk about the highlights of Kampilya there is Kapil Muni’s ‘Tapasya Sthal’ and Kampilvasini Mandir, Rameshwar Mandir (Shiv linga) established by Shatrughana and Lakshmana, Kaleshwar Mandir established by Draupad. It was visited by Buddha, Chinese Traveler Fa-Hein and Alexzendar Cunningham, Surveyer General of ASI” she said.
She said that as per the Development Plans Phase I, II they had proposed DPR – Infrastructure Development to Develop Farrukhabad (U.P.) as Tourism Destination. As per the Development Proposal Phase II they have proposed Creation of Yajna-Kunda on Vedic lines, renovation of ancient temples
“We have proposed the creation of Panchal Cultural Heritage University for Vedic studies, Buddhist and Jain studies, Ayurvedic Centre, Food Technology and Fashion Technology “ she said.
In the Development Proposal Phase II (contd.) they have proposed the establishment of Draupadi Museum (at Kampilya)– Diorama, facilities for showing Mahabharata – Panchala history and Culture of Ancient to British Period through Art, Artifacts and Interactive Information Technology including a cultural journey like Akshardham Temple Delhi.
“We have also proposed establishment of Food Park to popularlize and conserve agro heritage , Charak Memorial Ayurvedic Center for health care management, Annual Panchala Mahotsav – Cultural and Trade Promotion Festival with Draupadi Samman Award ceremony for women empowerment” she said.
Neera said that there were various misconceptions regarding Draupadi, “She was the Princess of Panchala Kingdom, and thus called Panchali and not because she had five husbands. Draupadi, did not emerge out of the fire, but was born to the Queen of Panchala Kingdom, after King Drupad performed the Fire Sacrifice ritual to beget a warrior child. Few realize the intense emotional turmoil Draupadi experienced when her mother-in-law asked her to take five Pandav as husbands. But she converted a challenge into an opportunity, to emerge a victor of gender parity” she said.
“She was the first ever woman to openly raise her voice against injustice and inequality towards women, refusing to succumb to evil desires of men. Being a Queen, she still worked as a Hairdresser to another Queen, during exile, teaching us the dignity of labor and the value of developing the talent for self empowerment. The dialogues for women’s empowerment cannot run on western concepts. It is our classical liberated women who stand heads above all as examples who lived the most progressive lives and took decisions that established gender equality” she said.
source: http://www.dailypioneer.com / Daily Pioneer / Home> State edition> Lucknow / by Sharmila Krishna, Lucknow / Thursday – September 10th, 2015