Jatayu Earth's Center, () also known as Jatayu Nature Park is a national park and tourism centre at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district of Kerala, India. It stands at an altitude of above mean sea level. To get to the top, there is a cable car, and it is the only cable car in Kerala. The honor of being the largest bird sculpture in the world belongs to Jatayu.
Made of concrete and steel, the sculpture measures long, wide, in height and occupies of floor area). It was sculpted by Rajiv Anchal.
This rock-theme nature park was the first Public–private partnership tourism initiative in the state of Kerala under the BOT model. The park is about away from the city of Kollam and away from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.
After completion, it became accessible to visitors on 17 August 2018.
Origins The park located near the town of Chadayamangalam in Kerala (Jatayumangalam), which was named for Jatayu. Jatayu was a demi-god in Ramayana (a Hindu epic) who had the form of a vulture.
According to the epic, Ravana was attempting to abduct Sita to Lanka when Jatayu tried to rescue her. Jatayu fought valiantly with Ravana, but as Jatayu was very old Ravana soon defeated him, clipping his wings, and Jatayu fell onto the rocks in Chadayamangalam. Rama and Lakshmana while on the search for Sita, chanced upon the stricken and dying Jatayu, who informed them of the battle with Ravana and told them that Ravana had headed South to Lanka(Ravana's stronghold).
The park
The Statue
The statue is a representation of a legend - Ramayana -, and symbolizes the protection of women, and their honour and safety. It was designed and sculpted by Rajiv Anchal.
Dimensions +FeatureHeight21 mFloor area1,400 m2Length61 mBreadth46 mNumber of wing and tail feathers52 mHead thickness from ear to earUnknownHeight of headUnknownDistance from eye to eyeUnknownTotal weight of statueUnknownLength of each talonUnknownLength of beakUnknownHeight of beakUnknownWidth of beakUnknownHeight of eyeUnknown
Jatayu Museum It houses a five-story grand sculpture, a museum, and a multi-dimensional theater that shows an animated film depicting the epic battle between Jatayu and Ravana. In addition to all this, the Jatayu Earth's Center also has a cultural center that showcases traditional art forms, exhibitions, and folk performances.
Adventure Park The Park, on Adventure rock hill, opened on 5 December 2017.
Cave Resort Jatayu is said to have taken refuge in a cave after his battle with Ravana. An Ayurvedic and Siddha cave resort is under construction and will offer ayurvedic healing paired with tales of Jatayu.
Dedication The park opened to visitors on 4 July 2018 and was soft-inaugurated by Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala. The park's first phase was worth and included the adventure zone having radius. On 29 November 2015, Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce's Director of stakeholder relations, Majid Al Marri visited the under construction Jatayu Nature Park along with the then Chief Minister of Kerala, Mr. Oommen Chandy.
Access and attributes
Location and access The park is located on a hilltop in Kollam district in Kerala. No special transportation is required to get into the park. To reach the top, where Jatayu's sculpture is present, visitors can either take the 826 steps walkway up the hill, or take the cable car. An additional paid ticket is required for cable car route. There is a security screening process on the way to the top. Cameras and bags are allowed. Food is not allowed. Water is allowed, but not in a plastic bottle. Free filtered water is available at the top. There are multiple cafes present throughout the route.
Inscriptions and plaques A plaque outside the museum pays tribute to the fallen Jatayu, in a poem translated by K. Jayakumar, was dedicated by Pinarayi Vijayan, the former Chief minister of Kerala. "Stand atop this hill for a while in contemplation Here is where Jatayu fell Trying to block with his talons and beak The alien gnome who seized in deceit The priceless pearl of a daughter..."
Gallery
References
External links Official website