Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park

Jatayu Earth Center, also known as Jatayu Nature Park or Jatayu Rock, is a park and tourism centre at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district of Kerala. It stands at an altitude of 350m (1200ft) above the mean sea level.

Jatayu Nature Park, Kollam
jatya park
Location of Jatayu Nature Park
TypeAdventure Park
LocationChadayamangalam, Kollam, India
Nearest cityKollam(Quilon)
38 km (24 mi)
Coordinates8°51′57″N 76°52′02″E
Area65 acres (26.30 ha)
OpeningPhase-I[1]
5 December 2017 (2017-12-05)
Phase-II[2]
17 August 2018 (2018-08-17)
DesignerRajiv Anchal
Operated byJatayupara Tourism Pvt Limited
StatusOpen all year
Budget₹100 crore (US$14 million)
Public transit accessC'mangalam - 1.5 km,
Kottarakkara - 21.8 km,
Paravur - 27  km,
Kottarakara - 20.5 km,
Kollam - 36 km,
Trivandrum - 52.3 km
WebsiteJatayu Earth’s Center

Jatayu Nature Park holds the distinction of having the world’s largest bird sculpture, which is of the Jatayu.[2]

The sulpture measures (200 feet (61 m) long, 150 feet (46 m) wide, 70 feet (21 m) in height and occupies 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2) of floor area). It was sculpted by Rajiv Anchal. [3][4]

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 38 km (24 mi) away from the city of Kollam and 46 km (29 mi) away from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.

After completion, it opened to visitors on 17 August 2018.[5][6]

Origins
Ravana cuts Jatayu's wings, by Raja Ravi Varma

The park located near the town of Chadayamangalam (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 Ramayana epic, Ravana abducted Sita to Lanka. Jatayu had tried to rescue Sita from Ravana while Ravana was on his way to Lanka.

Jatayu fought valiantly with Ravana, but as Jatayu was very old, Ravana soon defeated him. 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. Legend says that Jatayu fell on the rocks in Chadayamangalam, after his wings were clipped by Ravana.[7][8]

The park

The Statue

The statue is a representation of a legend, and symbolizes the protection of women, and their honour and safety.[9] It was designed and sculpted by Rajiv Anchal, [3][4]

Dimensions
Feature Measure (metric)
Height 21 m
Floor area 1,400 m2
Length 61 m
Breadth 46 m
Number of feathers 52
Head thickness from ear to ear
Height of head
Distance from eye to eye
Total weight of statue
Length of each talon
Length of beak
Height of beak
Width of beak
Height of eye

Jatayu Museum

The statue houses the construction of the Jatayu museum.

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.[10][11][12]

Dedication

The park opened to visitors on 4 July 2018 and was soft-inaugurated by Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala.[13][14] The park's first phase was worth ₹100 crore (US$14 million) and included the adventure zone having 3 km (1.9 mi) radius.[15][16] 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 hill-top in Kollam district in Kerala. No special transportation is required to get in to the park, however visitors required to use a cable car to reach the top of the park. Visitors intending to enter the park must obtain a paid ticket. Tourists may only bring cameras, and no bags are allowed. Lockers are provided for other items and there will be a security screening process before entering the top.

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 Chief minister of Kerala.

The plaque at Jatayu Nature Park, dedicated by Shri Pinarayi Vijayan

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
 Born to the plough-furrow of dear Earth
 And fleeing to another coast.
 He who believes to be his right
 To possess even the celestial nymphs he covets
 
 This is where the enemy's sword
 Chopped Jatayu's wing.
 The spot that accepted that flowing blood stream
 Like a sobbing mother accepting her martyred son.
 The spot received that bird
 Flapping its single wing
 Descending like a flag on the mast
 Of this country's pride
 
 Doesn't this wind that blows here
 Sing that tale?
 Doesn't every sand grain here
 Recall that Saga?
 
 As we stand on this hill
 with heads bowed
 In the memory of that bird
 Who sacrificed himself as a flower offering
 We indeed churn immortality from death.

Panoramic view of Jatayu Nature Park under construction at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district

References
  1. "Kerala's First BOT Model Ecotourism Project, is Now Open for Public". Voyagers World. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  2. "Kerala tourism to unveil world's largest bird sculpture". The Quint. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  3. "Jatayu Earth's Center Website". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  4. "Kerala park to welcome visitors in Jan - Khaleej Times". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  5. "Adventure Rock Hill open for visitors". The Times of India. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  6. "Enjoy a day of adventure at Jatayu Earth's Center". Outlook Traveller. Retrieved 7 December 2017.
  7. "Jatayupara at Chadayamangalam - Kerala Tourism". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  8. "Lepakshi Temple - Lepakshi :: The Treasure House of Art and Sculpture". Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  9. "Welcome to Jatayu Earth's Center". www.jatayuearthscenter.com.
  10. "Jatayu park to be opened for public in January - The Hindu". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  11. "Phase I of State's First PPP Tourism Project to be Thrown Open in Jan - TNIE". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  12. "Jatayu nature park: A new tourist destination of Kerala". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  13. "Rock theme park to be opened on 4 July". The Hindu. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  14. "Jatayu Centre to open on 4 July". Deccan Chronicle. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  15. "Adventure zone at Jatayu park - The Hindu". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  16. "Kerala's rock-theme Jatayu Park getting ready to woo visitors". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
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