SAFE AS A ROCK
A giant
sculpture Kerala of the mythical bird Jatayu symbolizes the protection of women
In the epic Ramayana, the
mythical bird Jatayu witnessed Sita being kidnapped by the demon king Ravana.
When Jatayu tried to stop Ravana, the demon king used
Chandrahasa, a weapon he
got from the gods, to chop off one of its wings. It is believed that the bird
fell on a rock and was alive to narrate the story to Lord Rama who later gave
moksha to the dying bird.
This is all I knew of
Jatayu when our vehicle ascended the rocky hill in Chadayamangalam in Kollam
district of Kerala, believed to house the rock on which the injured bird fell.
But as I reached the place that has been recently transformed to Jatayu Earth’s
Center, a tourist spot of international standards, I learned that Jatayu was
much more.
FIGHTING
THE GOOD FIGHT
The ride in the
Swiss-made cable car to the main hill of the four-hill destination gives a
breathtaking view of the area surrounded by paddy fields and farmlands. Tucked
between the giant rocks is a water body with sparkling green water. “That is
our rainwater harvesting system. The pond is 30 feet deep,” said the official
who is accompanying us. The water from the pond is used to keep the trees alive
in the otherwise dry hills. The cable car ride ends within 10 minutes atop the
rock that stands at a height of 1,000 feet and we are led to the giant Jatayu
that is vying to take the spot of the biggest bird sculpture in the world.
Projected as a symbol of women’s safety and honour, there lies the Jatayu that
tries to get up after the fall, with one wing broken and claws curled up in
pain, yet putting up a brave face… a face that evokes respect and compassion.
HOW
GREEN IS MY VALLEY
“Jatayu symbolises an era
when humans and other living beings cared for each other,” says sculptor Rajiv
Anchal who is also a film director and art director. “A sculpture should have a
message. The message is what attracted me to Jatayu,” he adds.
The sprawling sculpture
with a length of 200 feet, width of 150 feet and height of 70 feet looks as if
the bird is embracing the rock. It has 15,000 square feet of utility space
inside, including a multidimensional mini theatre, which is yet to be opened to
the public.
The hill also has some
mythical markings and a temple, fenced outside the tourist area. As wind swept
away the harsh rays of the sun, I stood there, basking in the view from top
that instilled a sense of relief in me: “Kerala is still green!”
HAPPY
BIRD-DAY
For the daring, a host of
adventure activities are available in the Adventure rock hill, adjacent to the
Jatayu rock. Rappelling, chimney climbing, log walk and commando net are among
them. As our cable car descended the hill, we were informed about the
plastic-free zone that advocates responsible tourism, involving families from
around the area to produce organic vegetables. From the helipad on an adjacent
hill, a helicopter was taking off. “Visitors can avail heli taxi services to
other major tourist attractions in the state,” explained the official.
I looked back at the
Jatayu up the hill. A poem by Kerala’s beloved poet, the late O.N.V. Kurup,
engraved at the site, felt apt: “As we stand on this hill with heads bowed / In
the memory of that bird who sacrificed himself as a flower offering / We indeed
churn immortality from death.”
RELAX
ON THE ROCKY HILLS
*
Adventure rock hill houses a paintball station and provides activities such as
rappelling, chimney climbing, commando net, among others * Elephant rock hill
has a 250-metre zip-line zone. Night tent camping and moonlight dinner with
live music are on the cards * Kitchen Rock Hill will have ayurvedic
rejuvenation therapy from January 2019 and a herbal garden
·
By Yamini Nair
HTBR 21OCT18
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