Jatayu Earth’s Center

Jatayu Earth’s Center, also known as Jatayu Nature Park or Jatayu Rock, is a 65 acre park and tourism centre at Chadayamangalam in the Kollam district of Kerala, India. Named after ‘Jatayu’ a semi-God in the form of a vulture, the Jatayu Earth’s Center is a ‘towering tribute to women’s safety and honour,’ and is one of the major attractions in Kerala.

Situated on a mighty rock named Jatayupara is the famous Jadayu sculpture, the largest bird sculpture in the world. At 200 feet in length, 70 feet in height and with a wingspan of 150 feet, it has a floor area of 15,000 square feet. The giant sculpture is built out of compacted concrete, except for the talons, which are stainless steel.

The Jadayu bird sculpture feature meticulous details, individually decorated and layered feathers. Jatayu’s impressive wings splay across the ground allows visitors to step up on to the sculpture and climb onto his talons and head. The bird’s body doubles as a roof for the Earth Center’s building—making this work of art the largest functional bird sculpture in the world, and is recognized in the Guinness Book of World Records.

According to Hindu legend, Jatayu witnessed princess Sita being kidnapped by the demon king Ravana. When Jatayu tried to stop Ravana, he chopped off one of the bird’s wings with his sword. In keeping with the story, the concrete version of Jatayu only has one wing. ‘Jatayu also represents a bygone era when humans, animals, birds and other living forms cared for each other and fellow beings and lived peacefully on this Earth.’