Jatayu Earth Centre or Jatayu Nature Park holds the distinction of having the world’s largest bird sculpture, which is of mythological bird, Jatayu. The bird is seen in lying position facing upwards with the broken wings. It signifies the emotion that bird is on the death bed.
The park is located near the town of Chadayamangalam. It is an eco tourist place of Kerala and is about 38 km away from the city of Kollam and 46 km away from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. It stands at an altitude of 1200ft above mean sea level. The sculpture symbolizes protection of women and was designed and sculpted by Rajiv Anchal, who is a sculptor and a film maker.
The sulpture measures 200 feet in length, 150 feet in width, 70 feet in height and occupies 15,000 square feet of area.
There is reference of appearance of Jatayu in Ramayana. The story goes as follows:
When Ravana abducted Sita and was flying to Lanka in his flying chariot, Jatayu an aged vulture was resting in the forest. Hearing the helpless scream of Sita, Jatayu flew to rescue the Sita. Although Jatayu knew that he was no match for the mighty Ravana but he was not afraid of Ravana's strength. Jatayu fought valiantly with Ravana. In the end Ravana took the sword and hit the wing, the frail wing tore off and fell on the ground, bruised and battered. 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. It is said that Jatayu fell on the rocks in Chadayamangalam. Rama did the last rituals of bird and continued his journey in search of Sita.
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