Planning My Visit to Jatayu Earth’s Centre
I had heard of the giant bird sculpture in Kerala long before I planned my solo trip there. With so many monumental statues coming up across India, I wanted to see for myself what made Jatayu Earth’s Centre so special. What I didn’t realise was that the sculpture wasn’t merely an engineering marvel—it was built around one of the most moving episodes from the Ramayana.
My plan was simple—take the cable car uphill for an aerial view of the surroundings and walk down on my way back. (I am actually trying to hide my lack of fitness behind my desire to enjoy the aerial view of the Jatayu statue! 😜)
The Legend Behind Jatayu Earth’s Centre
Do you know the story of Jatayu? I assume most of you are familiar with the mythological bird Jatayu from the great epic Ramayana. Jatayu is believed to be the king of the vultures. According to the epic, he was the son of Aruna, the charioteer of Surya, and his wife Shyeni. Aruna was the elder brother of Garuda, the divine vahana of Lord Vishnu.
Although different traditions narrate varying accounts of his origin and life, Jatayu’s most celebrated role in the epic is his heroic attempt to rescue Goddess Sita, the wife of Lord Rama, from the clutches of Ravana, the king of Lanka.
According to the epic, Ravana abducted Sita and carried her away to Lanka aboard the celestial Pushpaka Vimana. Hearing Sita’s desperate cries for help, Jatayu confronted Ravana mid-flight and fought valiantly to stop the abduction. Despite his courage and determination, he was ultimately overpowered when Ravana struck him with the divine sword Chandrahasa, severing his wings. Gravely wounded, Jatayu fell onto a nearby hill, where he lay awaiting his final moments.
When Lord Rama arrived in search of his wife, he found Jatayu gravely wounded but still alive. With his last breath, the noble bird revealed that Ravana had abducted Sita and informed Rama of the direction in which the demon king had taken her. Moved by Jatayu’s unwavering courage and selfless sacrifice, Lord Rama blessed him with Moksha (liberation). Jatayu’s final act of devotion proved to be a turning point in the epic, guiding Rama’s search for Sita and setting the stage for the legendary Rama–Ravana war.
According to local legend, Jatayu fell upon the rocky hills of Chadayamangalam in Kerala’s Kollam district after Ravana clipped off his wings.
“Beneath the vast blue sky, on a rugged, rocky hillock, he fell bruised, battered and broken; looking up to heaven in despair, praying for his Lord’s arrival. His claws clutched tight in great pain, his beak wide open in a desperate yell, gravely disappointed, yet brave. Right there where he fell, we honour the tale of his valour with the world’s largest Bird Sculpture. Welcome to Jatayu Earth’s Centre!”
— Jatayu Earth’s Centre
A Disappointing Start—but for a Good Reason
With the legend fresh in my mind, I finally arrived at Jatayu Earth’s Centre on a windy Kerala morning… I reached Jatayu Earth’s Centre just a few minutes after it opened.
As we entered through the main gate, the security guard informed Mr Bahanan that the cable car would not be operational that day and asked him to park the car in the parking area on the left. (Read my previous post on Thattekad to know about Mr Bahanan who drove me to the Jatayu Earth’s Centre.)
I was disappointed to learn that I wouldn’t be able to take the cable car. Since it was still early, there were only a handful of people in the ticket queue. While purchasing my ticket, I enquired again about the cable car service. I was told that strong winds made it unsafe to operate, so the service had been suspended for the day.
Climbing the 826 Steps to Jatayu Earth’s Centre
With no other option, I decided to climb the 826 steps leading up to the hilltop to meet the brave but fallen Jatayu.
The statue stands atop a hill rising 1,150 feet above mean sea level. Measuring 200 feet in length, 150 feet in width, and 70 feet in height, the sculpture occupies nearly 15,000 square feet. Built using concrete and steel, it was designed and sculpted by filmmaker, screenwriter, and sculptor Rajiv Anchal.
The Jatayu sculpture is the centrepiece of the rock-themed nature park, popularly known as Jatayu Earth’s Centre or Jatayu Nature Park. Opened to the public in 2018, the project took nearly two decades to materialise—from conceptualisation and land acquisition to its final construction.
Rather than portraying Jatayu soaring through the skies, the monument captures his final moments after his valiant attempt to rescue Goddess Sita. It symbolises sacrifice, courage, and unwavering commitment, serving as a tribute to women’s safety, dignity, and honour.
The Climb Was More Enjoyable Than I Expected
I began my ascent along the well-paved, semi-shaded walkway lined with trees on the outer side. The steps were gentle, making the climb surprisingly manageable.
The strong winds that had grounded the cable cars turned out to be a blessing. They kept both the heat and Kerala’s humidity at bay. My initial disappointment gradually disappeared, and I found myself enjoying the climb.
Some visitors overtook me, while others slowed down behind me. Smiling and exchanging nods with fellow travellers, I soon found myself halfway up to Jatayu Earth’s Centre.
Refreshing Breaks Along the Way
Filtered drinking water was available at regular intervals along the walkway. Since plastic bottles are not permitted inside the park, I had left my water bottle in the car.
These drinking water stations proved to be a blessing. They helped visitors quench their thirst while the cool breeze refreshed our bodies. As I climbed higher, panoramic views of the lush green landscape unfolded before me.
The water refreshed the body, the breeze cooled the skin, and the endless greenery soothed the eyes. What more does one need to reach a meditative state?
Standing Before the World’s Largest Bird Sculpture
The final stretch of the climb was the most demanding. The pathway became steeper as it crossed a vast, barren rocky slope with hardly any tree cover. But by then, the destination was within sight.
I could see the enormous Jatayu statue, the cable cars hanging motionless near the upper station, and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
Soon, I stood before the colossal sculpture at Jatayu Earth’s Centre.
What to See at Jatayu Earth’s Centre
Inside the sculpture, a 6D theatre and a museum were under construction during my visit and were expected to open soon. There are also plans to build a replica of King Janaka’s palace—the father of Goddess Sita—within the monument complex.
Adjacent to the sculpture is a temple dedicated to Lord Rama, along with an open-air performance centre complete with a stage for cultural events.
After walking around the statue of this brave warrior—mythological though he may be—who sacrificed his life to protect a woman’s honour, I explored the open-air performance area. It offers spectacular views of the surrounding hills and forests.
There are also a few cafés where visitors can enjoy refreshments, as outside food is not permitted inside Jatayu Earth’s Centre.
Ending My Solo Journey at Jatayu Earth’s Centre
After a soulful retreat and a satisfying cardio workout of climbing 826 steps, followed by exploring the magnificent Jatayu sculpture, it was time to make my way back down.
As I descended along the same walkway, I watched fresh batches of visitors making their way up. By the time I reached the entrance, the place had become much busier, with long queues forming at the ticket counter.
Just then, a lady approached me.
“How difficult is the climb? And how long did it take?”
She looked uncertain about whether she could make it to the top.
I encouraged her with a few reassuring words—motivation passed from one solo traveller to another.
And thus ended my solo sojourn to Jatayu Earth’s Centre, a place that beautifully commemorates courage, sacrifice, and the enduring message of women’s safety and honour.
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