Jatayu Earth’s Center, Kerala: World’s Largest Bird Sculpture

On a bare rock in Kerala, a giant bird rests on its back. One wing is low. Its beak and claws reach toward the sky. This is Jatayu, the largest bird sculpture in the world. It does not stand proud. It is lying wounded, as has been predicted in the old story.

Jatayu is a divine bird from the Ramayana. He fought the demon king Ravana to save Sita. Ravana cut off his wings, and legend says he fell on a rock in Kerala.

The place is called Jatayu Earth’s Center, also known as Jatayu Nature Park or Jatayupara. It is in Chadayamangalam, Kollam district, about 50 km from Thiruvananthapuram. Rising nearly 1,000 ft, the hill makes the bird look even more impressive against the open sky.

Jatayu is traditionally described as a vulture in the Hindu epic Ramayana. However, in modern art and sculptures, he is often shown as a large eagle or giant bird of prey.Jatayu is not Garuda. He is Garuda’s nephew.

The statistics speak for themselves:

Length: 200 ft (61 m)

Width: 150 ft (46 m)

Height: about 70 ft (21 m)

Space inside: about 15,000 sq ft

It is built from concrete and steel. A few sites list the height as 65 or 75 ft, but most reliable sources settle on 70 ft.

Rajiv Anchal, a sculptor and film director, created the statue. The process took almost a decade. The full park costs around ₹100 crore and spreads over 65 acres. The first phase opened on 5 December 2017. Visitors were welcomed from 4 July 2018.

Most giant statues try to look powerful. This one shows a wounded bird. Visitors can walk inside the body, where a small museum and theatre tell the story. Anchal made its way as a silent tribute to women's safety and honour. From the hilltop the green valleys stretch far. Many people call it the largest eagle statue they have ever seen, even though the old tale usually names Jatayu a vulture.

There are two ways up. Take the Swiss-made cable car — the only one in Kerala — or climb the 826 steps. There is also a small Ram temple, simple cafés and adventure activities like ziplining, rock climbing, etc., in the park.

The hours are typically weekdays from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM. Weekends stay open till 6:00 PM. The simple ticket for entry to the cable car and entry costs around ₹555 based on the latest guides. Additional activities are more expensive. The prices may vary; please refer to the official site before traveling, jatayuearthscenter.in. Carry some cash. A few visitors note that the counter may not always take cards.