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{{short description|National Park in Kerala, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=January 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Jatayu Nature Park
| alt_name = '''Jatayu Park'''
| image = Jatayu Earth Centre.jpg
| photo_width =
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption =
| map = India Kerala
| map_width =
| map_caption = Location of Jatayu Nature Park
| type = [[Park|Adventure Park]]
| location = [[Chadayamangalam]], [[Kollam district|Kollam]], [[India]]
| nearest_city = [[Kollam|Kollam(Quilon)]] ''{{convert|38|km|abbr=on}}''
| coords = {{coord|8.865888|N|76.867306|E|region:India|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|65|acre|2}}
| opening = Phase-I<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.voyagersworld.in/article/kerala%E2%80%99s-first-bot-model-ecotourism-project-now-open-public |title=Kerala's First BOT Model Ecotourism Project, is Now Open for Public |publisher=Voyagers World |access-date=6 December 2017 }}{{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> '''{{Start date|df=yes|2017|12|05}}''' Phase-II<ref name= quint>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/hotwire-text/kerala-tourism-to-unveil-world-s-largest-bird-sculpture |title=Kerala tourism to unveil world's largest bird sculpture |publisher=The Quint |date=23 May 2018 |access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> '''{{start date|df=yes|2018|08|17}}'''
| designer = [[Rajiv Anchal]]
| operator = Jatayupara Tourism Pvt Limited
| visitation =
| budget = {{INRConvert|100|c}}
| open =
| status = Open all year
| publictransit = [[Chadayamangalam|C'mangalam]] {{rint|bus}} - 1.5 km, [[Kottarakkara]] {{rint|bus}} - 21.8 km, {{rws|Kottarakara}} {{rint|rail}} - 20.5 km, 
[[Varkala]] {{rint|rail}} - 26  km, 
{{rws|Paravur}} {{rint|rail}} - 27  km, [[Kollam Port|Kollam]] {{rint|ferry}} - 36 km, [[Trivandrum International Airport|Trivandrum]] {{rint|air}} - 52.3 km
| free_label =
| free_data =
| website = {{URL|https://jatayuearthscenter.in}}
}}
<onlyinclude>
'''Jatayu Earth's Center''', ({{IPA|ml|dʒɐʈaːju|IPA}}) 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 {{cvt|350|m}} 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]].<ref name= quint>{{cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/hotwire-text/kerala-tourism-to-unveil-world-s-largest-bird-sculpture |title=Kerala tourism to unveil world's largest bird sculpture |publisher=The Quint |date=23 May 2018 |access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref>

The sculpture measures {{convert|200|ft}} long, {{convert|150|ft}} wide, {{convert|70|ft}} in height and occupies {{convert|15000|sqft}} of floor area). It was sculpted by [[Rajiv Anchal]].<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=https://jatayuearthscenter.in/ |title=Jatayu Earth's Center Website |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.khaleejtimes.com/international/india/kerala-park-to-welcome-visitors-in-jan |title=Kerala park to welcome visitors in Jan - Khaleej Times |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> [[File:Jatayu sculpture.jpg|thumb|Sculpture of Jatayu]]

This rock-theme nature park was the first [[Public–private partnership]] tourism initiative in the state of [[Kerala]] under the [[Build–operate–transfer|BOT model]]. The park is about {{convert|38|km|abbr=on}} away from the city of [[Kollam]] and {{convert|46|km|abbr=on}} away from the state capital, [[Thiruvananthapuram]].

After completion, it became accessible to visitors on 17 August 2018.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/thiruvananthapuram/adventure-rock-hill-open-for-visitors/articleshow/61937068.cms |title=Adventure Rock Hill open for visitors |work=The Times of India|date=6 December 2017 |access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/outlooktraveller/destinations/kerala-adventure-rock-hill/ |title=Enjoy a day of adventure at Jatayu Earth's Center |publisher=Outlook Traveller |access-date=7 December 2017}}</ref></onlyinclude>

==Origins==
[[File:Ravi Varma-Ravana Sita Jathayu.jpg|thumb|150px|Ravana cuts Jatayu's wings, by [[Raja Ravi Varma]]|alt=]]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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.keralatourism.org/destination/jatayupara-chadayamangalam/262 |title=Jatayuara at Chadayamangalam - Kerala Tourism |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.lepakshitemple.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=27 |title=Lepakshi Temple - Lepakshi :: The Treasure House of Art and Sculpture |access-date=1 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120328103155/http://www.lepakshitemple.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=52&Itemid=27 |archive-date=28 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==The park==

=== The Statue ===

The statue is a representation of a legend - Ramayana -, and symbolizes the protection of women, and their honour and safety.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jatayuearthscenter.com/jadayu.html|title=Welcome to Jatayu Earth's Center|website=www.jatayuearthscenter.com|access-date=10 March 2019|archive-date=7 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190307040029/http://jatayuearthscenter.com/jadayu.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was designed and sculpted by [[Rajiv Anchal]].<ref name="auto1"/><ref name="auto"/>

===Dimensions===
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Feature
|-
|Height
|21 m
|-
|Floor area
|1,400 m2
|-
|Length
|61 m
|-
|Breadth
|46 m
|-
|Number of wing and tail feathers
|52 m
|-
|Head thickness from ear to ear
|Unknown
|-
|Height of head
|Unknown
|-
|Distance from eye to eye
|Unknown
|-
|Total weight of statue
|Unknown
|-
|Length of each talon
|Unknown
|-
|Length of beak
|Unknown
|-
|Height of beak
|Unknown
|-
|Width of beak
|Unknown
|-
|Height of eye
|Unknown
|}

===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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Thiruvananthapuram/jatayu-park-to-be-opened-for-public-in-january/article7932005.ece|title=Jatayu park to be opened for public in January - The Hindu|newspaper=The Hindu |date=29 November 2015 |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/Phase-I-of-States-First-PPP-Tourism-Project-to-be-Thrown-Open-in-Jan/2015/11/29/article3151922.ece|title=Phase I of State's First PPP Tourism Project to be Thrown Open in Jan - TNIE|access-date=1 December 2015|archive-date=8 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208081226/http://www.newindianexpress.com/cities/thiruvananthapuram/Phase-I-of-States-First-PPP-Tourism-Project-to-be-Thrown-Open-in-Jan/2015/11/29/article3151922.ece|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/travel/travel-buzz/story/jatayu-nature-park-a-new-tourist-destination-of-kerala-277524-2015-12-16|title=Jatayu nature park: A new tourist destination of Kerala|access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref>

=== Dedication ===
The park opened to visitors on 4 July 2018 and was soft-inaugurated by [[Pinarayi Vijayan]], [[Chief Minister of Kerala]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/rock-theme-park-tobe-opened-on-july-4/article23963484.ece|title=Rock theme park to be opened on 4 July|date=23 May 2018|work=The Hindu|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/230518/jatayu-centre-to-open-on-july-4.html|title=Jatayu Centre to open on 4 July|date=23 May 2018|work=Deccan Chronicle|access-date=25 May 2018}}</ref> The park's first phase was worth {{INRConvert|100|c}} and included the adventure zone having {{convert|3|km|abbr=on}} radius.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-kerala/adventure-zone-at-jatayu-park/article7931967.ece|title=Adventure zone at Jatayu park - The Hindu|newspaper=The Hindu |date=29 November 2015 |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/national/keralas-rocktheme-jatayu-park-getting-ready-to-woo-visitors/article7930125.ece|title=Kerala's rock-theme Jatayu Park getting ready to woo visitors|date=29 November 2015 |access-date=1 December 2015}}</ref> 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 [[List of chief ministers of Kerala|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 Chief minister of Kerala.[[File:Jatayu-Earth-Center-Plaque.jpg|alt=The plaque at Jatayu Nature Park, dedicated by Shri Pinarayi Vijayan|The plaque at Jatayu Nature Park, dedicated by Shri Pinarayi Vijayan|thumb]]
<blockquote><poem>
"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..."
</poem></blockquote>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Jatayu Para, Kerala, Dec 2013.jpg|Jatayu Nature Park under construction at [[Chadayamangalam]] in [[Kollam district]]
File:Jatayu statue.jpg
File:Jatayu (1) 05.jpg
File:Jatayu Earth’s Center from distance 02.jpg|view from distance
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
[https://jatayuearthscenter.in Official website]
{{Commons category|Jatayu Earth’s Center}}
{{Tourism in Kerala}}
{{Kollam}}
{{Portal|India}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jatayu Earth's Center}}
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Kollam district]]
[[Category:Adventure parks]]
[[Category:Jatayu]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Kollam]]
[[Category:2018 sculptures]]
[[Category:2018 establishments in Kerala]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 2018]]
[[Category:Architecture in India]]
[[Category:Museums in Kerala]]
[[Category:Outdoor sculptures in India]]
[[Category:Places in the Ramayana]]
[[Category:Sculptures of birds]]
[[Category:Animal sculptures in India]]
[[Category:Vultures in art]]

Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park - Revision history

Voclirecords at 06:19, 25 November 2025