The sculpture of Jatayu, located in Chadayamangalam, Kollam district of Kerala, India, is the world’s largest bird sculpture.
Its designer and sculptor is Rajiv Anchal, who is also an esteemed director and screenwriter. It took Anchal six years to build the sculpture, which is the main spectacle of Jatayu Earth’s Center Nature Park.
The sculpture is 61 meters long, 21 meters tall, and has a width of 46 meters.
To reach the bird sculpture, visitors have to take nearly 1000 steps to get to the hilltop where the sculpture and the museum are.
At the museum’s entrance, a plaque reads: “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 seized on deceit. The priceless pearl of a daughter”
The plaque informs the visitors about the sculpture, the king of vultures, who is a demi-god from the Hindu epic Ramayana, and how the sculpture is a representation of his myth.
According to the legend, the demon Ravana tries to kidnap Sita, a goddess, but Jatayu intervenes and fights Ravana.
Although the bird fights bravely, Ravana beats him since he is very old and weary. After beating Jatayu, Ravana cuts Jatayu’s wings, and he falls to the earth.
The Hindus believe that the place where the sculpture fell is the town of Chadayamangalam. Therefore, the sculpture and the park were built in the same spot.
The sculpture of Jatayu, the world’s largest bird sculpture, commemorates the valiant battle of Jatayu against Ravana and his resolve to save the innocent, a universal example for everyone.
