Jatayu Earth’s Center

Jatayu Earth’s 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 mean sea level. Jatayu Nature Park is holding the distinction of having the world’s largest bird sculpture (200 feet (61 m) long, 150 feet (46 m) broad, 70 feet (21 m) in height and having 15,000 square feet (1,400 m2) of floor area) of the great bird Jatayu.[3][4] With the bird-sculpture being sculpted by Rajiv Anchal himself, this rock-theme nature park is the first PPP 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.

Jatayu Nature Park, Kollam
ജടായു പരിസ്ഥിതി ഉദ്യാനം, കൊല്ലം
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
Budget100 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

The phase two developments of the park is completed and opened to visitors on 17 August 2018.[5][6]

The park

The Statue

The statue symbolizes protection of women[7] and was designed and sculpted by Rajiv Anchal, who is a sculptor by education. This sculptor was advanced in his techniques. He was idolized for his accomplishments.

Physical Characteristics

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 under-construction Jatayu museum within it which will tell the tale of Jatayu.

Adventure Park

The Adventure Park is situated on the Adventure rock hill and opened on 5 December 2017.

Cave Resort

Jatayu is said to have taken refuge in a cave after his tussle with Ravana. An Ayurvedic and Siddha cave resort is under construction and will offer ayurvedic healing paired with tales of Jatayu.[8][9][10]

Dedication

The park opened to visitors on 4 July 2018 and was soft-inaugurated by Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala.[11][12] The park's first phase was worth 100 crore (US$14 million) and included the adventure zone having 3 km (1.9 mi) radius.[13][14] 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.

Etymology

Ravana cuts Jatayu's wings, by Raja Ravi Varma

The Jatayu Nature Park is under construction at Chadayamangalam (Jatayumangalam) town. The town got this name in connection with Jatayu, the demi-god in Ramayana, who has the form of a vulture.

As per Ramayana, Ravana abducted Sita to Lanka. Jatayu had tried to rescue Sita from Ravana when Ravana was on his way to Lanka. Jatayu fought valiantly with Ravana, but as Jatayu was very old Ravana soon got the better of him. Rama and Lakshmana while on the search for Sita chanced upon the stricken and dying Jatayu, who informs them of the fight between him and Ravana and tells them that Ravana had headed South. It is believed that Jatayu fell on the rocks in Chadayamangalam after his wings were clipped by Ravana.[15][16]

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. http://www.jatayuearthscenter.com/jadayu.html
  8. "Jatayu park to be opened for public in January - The Hindu". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  9. "Phase I of State's First PPP Tourism Project to be Thrown Open in Jan - TNIE". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  10. "Jatayu nature park: A new tourist destination of Kerala". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  11. "Rock theme park to be opened on 4 July". The Hindu. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  12. "Jatayu Centre to open on 4 July". Deccan Chronicle. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 25 May 2018.
  13. "Adventure zone at Jatayu park - The Hindu". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  14. "Kerala's rock-theme Jatayu Park getting ready to woo visitors". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  15. "Jatayupara at Chadayamangalam - Kerala Tourism". Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  16. "Lepakshi Temple - Lepakshi :: The Treasure House of Art and Sculpture". Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
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