Mythical 'Jatayu' based epic tourism project in Kerala

Lekshmi Gopalakrishnan
Thiruvananthapuram, May 11 (PTI) A 1000-feet high rocky
hill cluster at Chadayamangalam in south Indian state Kerala,
believed to be connected with mythical character 'Jatayu' in
epic Ramayana, will woo tourists as the country's first 'Rock
Theme Park'.
According to local tradition, the rock, 'Jatayupara' in
Kollam district in south Kerala, is the place where the
mythical bird 'Jatayu'fell after its wings were slain by the
ten-headed Ravana by his lethal sword 'Chandrahasam'.
As per the epic, Ravana, who ruled Lankapuri (Sri Lanka),
chopped off one of the wings of the bird when it tried to
block his airship 'Pushpaka Vimanam' in which he was forcibly
taking away Rama's consort Sita.
The project is a blend of ecological and epic tourism and
the state government, through this public-private partnership
venture, is building a high-tech theme park on the rocky
terrain with a mammoth statue of 'Jatayu' as its core.
A host of facilities such as 4D theatre complex, cable
van, ayurveda resorts and massage parlours, ethnic cottages
and a mural painting gallery are also taking shape at the
spot, located about 50 km from the state capital
Thiruvananthapuram.
The whole site is conceived as a resort where holidayers
can relax and have a peep into the culture, heritage and
tradition of India through films, paintings in a fitting
ambience of panoramic settings, said Rajiv Anchal, noted film
maker and sculptor, who is the art-director of the project.
"The huge statue of Jatayu, laying on its back with wings
spread out with raised head, will be the heart of the park.
The statue, 65 feet in height, 200 feet length and 150 feet
width, is designed as a functional structure within which a
50-seat 4D theatre complex will be built," Rajiv told PTI.
Once completed, the Jatayu sculpture would be the biggest
functional sculpture in Asia. It can be termed as the tallest
as well, he said.
"The 'Rock Theme Park' will strengthen Kerala's position
in the global tourism map. It will open a fresh destination
for foreign as well as global tourists," Rajiv said.
A total of Rs 100 crore was expected for this venture.
Fifty per cent of the construction of the bird statue has been
completed. "We think we can complete the first phase within
one year," state Tourism Secretary V Venu told PTI.
The bird structure will have three-tiers with a total of
20,000 sq ft utility space. The visitors who enter the
sculpture can literally have a bird's eye view as Jatayu's
eyes are designed to be around windows opening to the world.
TOURISM 2 LAST
"A telescope will also be installed there to have a closer
view of the panoramic scenes of the surroundings," Rajiv,
whose film 'Guru' got the official Indian entry at the Oscars
in 1997, said.
Visitors can view a 4D film on the 'Jatayu' episode of
Ramayana in the theater, designed on Hollywood standards.
The inside walls of the structure would be decorated with
traditional mural paintings, which would be based on the poems
on 'Jatayu' penned by Jnanpith laureate ONV Kurup.
Local tradition has it that the village with the imposing
rock as its backdrop, got the name 'Chandayamangalam' because
of its association with Jatayu. The area has remained obscure
for long before its tourism potential was discovered.
Only devotees visiting a temple of Lord Rama in the area
used to have a glance at the panoramic view of the surrounding
area in the past.
A never-drying pond, believed to have sprung when the rock
suffered a deep cut from Jayatyu's beak, and the markings on
the rock held in high reverence by local people as foot prints
of Rama, are other highlights of the spot.
"As the name itself suggests, rock will be the theme of
the park. As part of the project, many artificial rocks,
rock-like structures and cottages will be built around without
harming the natural rock. It will be built in such a way that
nobody could easily understand which is original rock and
which are created by artists," Anchal said.
There would be a winding foot path leading up to the top
stretching to several kilometers. Places for rest and a host
of kiosks of coffee and ethnic snacks like baked tapioca,
'chiratta puttu' and 'dry-ginger coffee' will also be set up
throughout the path.
Rock-carved honeymoon cottages and herbal gardens to grow
a variety of shrubs and plants will be other features of the
theme park. Pure water, collected and preserved through rain
water harvesting, will be supplied to the visitors round the
year. Electricity will also be generated within the park
tapping the in-house sources.
"We are planning to build a tiny reservoir to collect and
preserve rain water on the rock cluster. Solar panels will be
installed and electricity will be produced from solar energy
for the park. We have already signed MoUs with private
investors for this," Rajiv said.
The Tourism Department has entered into a pact with a
Dubai based company to install a 'cable car' facility in the
'Jatayu Rock Theme Park', he said.
It would be the first time cable cars were introduced in
any tourist centre in Kerala, he said.
"The Rock Theme Park will strengthen Kerala’s position in
the global tourism map. It will open a fresh destination for
foreign as well as global tourists," Venu said.