Located in Chadayamangalam in Kollam district of Kerala, India, the sculpture of Jatayu is the world’s largest bird sculpture.
![jatayu](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-1.jpg)
![jatayu sculpture](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-13.jpg)
Its designer and sculptor is Rajiv Anchal who is also an esteemed director and screenwriter. It took Anchal 6 years to build the sculpture which is the main spectacle of Jatayu Earth’s Center Nature Park.
![Largest Bird Sculpture](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-2-1.jpg)
The sculpture is 61 meters long, 21 meters tall, and has a width of 46 meters.
![jatayu up close](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-6.jpg)
To reach Jatayu, visitors have to take nearly 1000 steps to get to the hilltop where the sculpture and the museum are.
![jatayu during sunset](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-11.jpg)
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 who seized in deceit
The priceless pearl of a daughter…”
![jatayu entrance](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-9.jpg)
The plaque informs the visitors about Jatayu, the king of vultures, who is a demi-god from the Hindu epic Ramayana and how the sculpture is a representation of his myth.
![jatayu from bird's eye view](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-3-1.jpg)
According to the legend, the demon Ravana tries to kidnap Sita, a goddess, but Jatayu intervenes and fights Ravana.
![myth of jatayu](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-5-2.jpg)
Although Jatayu 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.
![jatayu from above](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-4.jpg)
The Hindus believe that the place where Jatayu fell is the town of Chadayamangalam. Therefore, the sculpture and the park were built in the same spot.
![jatayu from above](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-12.jpg)
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.
![jatayu sculpture uo close](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-7.jpg)
![jatayu sculpture from far](http://i0.wp.com/themindcircle.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/jatayu-8.jpg)