Do you know Chambal River flowing through Rajasthan and MP was once known as Charmawati river and was cursed by Draupadi during Maharabhat era?
This river basically comes with a mythological background to it, and has an interesting milieu of events and stories.
As per legends, the river originated from the blood of thousands of animals who were killed by King Rantideva. At that time, this river was known as Charmawati River. Then, there is also the Mahabharata connection as the story says that the dice game in Mahabharata between the Kauravas and Pandavas was played on the banks of this river.
This river in the epic is called as Charmawati. When Draupadi was disgraced, she cursed the river and said that anyone who drinks water from the river will be filled with a thirst for vengeance that would be unquenchable.
It was this legend of Draupadi’s curse on the river which kept people away from it for a long time.
Over the years, the name of Chambal used to strike fear in the hearts of people at one time as it was infamous for its ravines, the badlands ruled by dacoits. These ravines of Chambal also gave rise to India’s Bandit Queen, Phoolan Devi
Today, the Chambal River is home to two wildlife sanctuaries, both in Rajasthan, the Jawahar Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary and the National Chambal Sanctuary. Interestingly, the Chambal River is the only river that is home to two endangered species of animals, namely the Red-crown turtles and Gangetic river dolphins. Chambal is also home to many beautifule species of birds.
Trekking here in the ravines is also something of a novel experience.
