For many Chambal region in India is associated with dacoits. The
isolation of the area is associated with a curse of Draupadi. The curse is also
the reason why there are no major cities or town or temples on the banks of Chambal River .
During the Mahabharata period the river was known as
Charmanvati or Charmanyavati. It was the most important river in Shakuni’s
kingdom. Shakuni, Duryodhana and other Kauravas cheated Pandavas in the dice
game and usurped their kingdom. They then attempted to disrobe Draupadi in
front of the assembly.
For her humiliation, she cursed that all who would drink
from the Charmanyavati that flowed through Shakuni’s kingdom would suffer
eternal punishment in hell. The kingdom was soon abandoned by its occupants.
There is also another reason for people avoiding the river
and this is associated with its origin. Rantideva, a Vedic king, is believed to
have performed sacrifice of 2000 cattle in the region. The river originated
from the mountain of dripping leather of the cattle. And the river derived its
name from Chamra or skin. Due to this gruesome incident people avoided the
river.