Jatayu Nature Park, Kollam
Jatayu Park
Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park is located in Kerala
Jatayu Earth's Center Nature 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 / 8.865888°N 76.867306°E / 8.865888; 76.867306
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$13 million)
Public transit accessC'mangalam Bus interchange - 1.5 km,
Kottarakkara Bus interchange - 21.8 km,
Varkala Mainline rail interchange - 26  km,
Kottarakara Mainline rail interchange - 20.5 km,
Kollam ferry/water interchange - 36 km,
Trivandrum Airport interchange - 52.3 km
WebsiteJatayu Earth’s Center

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, India. It stands at an altitude of 350m (1200ft) above the mean sea level. Jatayu Nature Park holds the distinction of having the world’s largest bird sculpture, which is of Jatayu.[2]

The sculpture 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 became accessible 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 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.[7][8]

The park

The Statue

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

Dimensions

Feature
Height 21 m
Floor area 1,400 m2
Length 61 m
Breadth 46 m
Number of wing and tail 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. Jatayu,Chadayamangalam

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$13 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 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 a 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 Chief minister of Kerala.

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

References

  1. ↑ "Kerala's First BOT Model Ecotourism Project, is Now Open for Public". Voyagers World. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Kerala tourism to unveil world's largest bird sculpture". The Quint. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  3. 1 2 "Jatayu Earth's Center Website". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  4. 1 2 "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. ↑ "Jatayuara 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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