In the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, Draupathi is the most important female whose character is extraordinarily beautiful and also described as one of ‘The Five Virgins’ – Panch-Kanya of the epic. She is the daughter of King Draupada of Panchala. She is wife of the 5 Pandavas in the epic Mahabharata. When the war ends, Yudhishthira becomes king of Hastinapura while she becomes the Queen of Indraprastha. Draupadi is also called as Panchali meaning – one from the Panchala Kingdom.
Draupathi is also referred to as Sairandhri (expert maid) who during her exile worked as hair-stylist for queen Sudeshna in the Virat Kingdom. She is also called Mahabhaaratii, the great wife of the 5 descendants of Bharata, the Pandavas. Draupadi is also called Yajnaseni (which means one born from fire-sacrifice or Yajna).
This controversial and brave heroine goddess named Draupathi of Hindu mythology is considered as a sacrifice worthy goddess in many parts of India. She is worshipped in Tamil Nadu, India besides other countries, as Draupadi Amman. She is believed to be incarnation of Mariamman, the Hindu Goddess. A number of shrines for the goddess are spread in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. As per a popular belief, goddess Draupadi is Maha Kali’s incarnation, born to help Lord Krishna to eliminate all the conceited Indian Kings. Being Lord Krishna’s sister she is also related to goddess Subhadra. An annual festival is celebrated in Udappu at the Draupati Amman temple and other similar temples where a popular ritual called Theemithi or Fire Walking is enacted.
