Jatayu Earth's Center Guide

Jatayu Earth's Center is a hilltop sculpture park at Chadayamangalam in Kollam district, Kerala, about 50 km north of Thiruvananthapuram. It is built around a huge concrete statue of Jatayu, the bird of the Ramayana, and it is an easy day trip from Kollam, Varkala or Trivandrum. This guide covers where it is, how to reach it, what you can do there and what to confirm before you go.

It is also often written as Jatayupara or Jatayu Para. Both names mean the same place.

What is Jatayu Earth's Center?

The centrepiece is a statue of Jatayu on a rock hilltop, shown as the wounded bird of the Ramayana. In the epic, Jatayu is a giant bird, often described as a vulture or eagle, and a friend of Rama's father, King Dasharatha. When the demon king Ravana kidnapped Sita and carried her off through the sky, Jatayu heard her cries and attacked Ravana to save her. Ravana was the stronger fighter, cut off Jatayu's wings and left him mortally wounded. Jatayu fell to the earth, and before he died he told Rama and Lakshmana what had happened to Sita, which set them on the path to Lanka. Local tradition places that fall at this hill. The statue is made of concrete and steel and is reported to be about 61 m long and 21 m high. It was designed by the sculptor Rajiv Anchal.

The park is a build-operate-transfer tourism project that Kerala Tourism describes as the state's first. It covers more than 65 acres across four hills. You will see claims that this is the world's largest bird sculpture. That is how the park is promoted, and we have not checked it independently.

What there is to do, as listed by Kerala Tourism and other published guides:

• The statue and its museum. A museum and a 6D theatre sit inside the sculpture. The theatre shows an animated retelling of the Jatayu and Ravana battle.

• Cable car or steps. A cable car runs to the hilltop. The alternative is a walkway of about 826 steps.

• Adventure activities. Burma bridges, commando nets, a log walk and similar rope-course games, plus a paintball zone.

• Extras. A helicopter taxi ride, camping, trekking and an Ayurveda centre are listed. Which of these are running on a given day changes, so ask before you plan around them.

Where is Jatayu Earth's Center and how do you reach it?

It is at Chadayamangalam, on the Main Central (MC) Road, which runs between Angamaly and Kesavadasapuram. The postal address is Chadayamangalam P.O., Kollam, Kerala 691534. Distances below are the ones Kerala Tourism publishes, measured to the town. Other sources give slightly different figures, so treat them as approximate.

By road. Driving is the simplest option. Take the MC Road north from Trivandrum or follow it south from central Kerala. Buses serve the MC Road, including a stop at Jatayu Junction. Confirm with the driver how far the bus goes and how you get from the stop to the base camp. Another route is to leave NH66 at Parippally. Check the final stretch on your maps app, because the hill access road is separate from the town centre.

By train. The nearest major station is Kollam Junction. Hire a taxi from there, or take a bus along the MC Road.

By air. Trivandrum is the nearest airport. Book a taxi for the rest of the way and allow extra time for traffic.

From Kochi, the MC Road is the direct line south. We have not confirmed the distance, so check the drive time on your maps app before you plan it as a day trip.

Timings, tickets and the cable car

Kerala Tourism lists visiting hours of 10:00 to 17:00. That listing dates from 2018, so check the current hours before you go.

We have not given ticket prices here, because the figures published on travel sites differ and change often. The cable car, the museum and theatre, and the adventure games are separate paid activities, so the final cost depends on what you choose. Get current prices and closure days from the park directly:

• Phone: +91 474 2477077 or +91 9778414178

• Email: info@jatayuearthscenter.in

• Website: jatayuearthscenter.in

A few rules reported by past visitors: security screening on the way up, cameras and bags allowed, outside food not allowed, and plastic water bottles not allowed. Free filtered water is reported at the top. Confirm these on the day, because rules change.

The cable car saves the climb. The walking route is about 826 steps, so wear proper shoes and avoid it in the middle of the day.

Best time to visit and how long to plan

The park is open through the year, so the choice comes down to weather. The cooler, drier months from roughly November to February suit an open hilltop with a climb best. The monsoon, roughly June to September, brings heavy rain and slippery steps, and the cable car and outdoor games may be affected, so ask the park before you travel in those months. Go early in the day in any season, because the hill is exposed.

Plan three to four hours on site if you want the cable car, the statue and the museum or theatre. Add time if you plan to try the adventure games. Pair it with a coast stop at Kollam or Varkala for a full day.

Fitting Jatayu Earth's Center into a Kerala trip

The park sits between Trivandrum and Kollam, so it fits best at the start or end of a southern Kerala trip, or as a break on the way to the backwaters. It works well on a family trip and for travellers who want something beyond beaches and houseboats.

If you would rather not arrange the transfers yourself, our 6 nights 7 days Kerala package can be adjusted to include it. For the full picture of what to see across the state, start with the Kerala travel guide, or read our 7-day Kerala itinerary. Couples planning a Kerala trip can look at our Kerala honeymoon packages.