Kerala is set to open its new tourist attraction — a gigantic sculpture that houses various facilities atop a hill 1,000ft above sea level.
Jatayu Earth’s Center opening on July 4 also has Swiss-built cable cars to carry visitors to what is billed as the world’s largest bird sculpture.
It also offers helicopter services.
The sculpture of the great mythical bird Jatayu, narrated in an Indian myth, is 200ft long, 150ft broad and 70ft tall and has 15,000 square feet of floor area.
The second phase of the decade-long work of filmmaker Rajiv Anchal is now complete with an adventure park and helicopter service.
He plans a host of facilities for tourists in the next phase at the centre spread across 65 acres at Chadayamangalam, 50km away from here. “The mythical bird laid down her life while fighting to protect the honour of a woman,” Anchal said.
“Beyond the fun and adventure, it will also remind visitors of the gallantry which is much more relevant now. It symbolises woman safety and protection.”
He hopes the Jatayu Adventure Park in the natural setting of rocks to draw adventure tourists from around the world. The Earth’s Centre would offer artistic performances staged alongside the statue.
“We ensured that the construction of rooms and other facilities no way disturbed the natural harmony. Visitors can enjoy caves and creeks of the rocky environment,” he said.
A winding footpath of several kilometres leads up to the top of the hill.
The visitors who enter the sculpture can have a bird’s eye view as its eyes stand at windows opening to the world.
It is claimed to be the biggest functional sculpture in Asia.
Besides the state government, the project has some 150 non-resident Indians (NRIs), who have invested nearly Rs1bn, as promoters.
“This tourism venture exemplifies the role expatriates can play in major development projects in the state,” he said.
“This is a truly international tourism spot with ultra modern security arrangements.”
He charges Rs150 for the entry and Rs250 for cable car service.
A package in the park including adventure segments and food costs Rs2,500.
On offer are archery, paintball, commando net, Burma bridge, trekking, side swing, wall climbing, bouldering, valley crossing, zip line, jumaring, free climbing, rappelling, vertical ladder, hilltop camping, chimney climbing, shooting and logwalk.
He plans to open a museum and 6D theatre inside the architectural sculpture in November as part of third phase development.
Besides, there will be Ayurveda and Siddha centres designed inside caves cushioned between rocks.
The state launched Jatayupara tourism project by a consortium of various hospitality and adventure tourism service providers in 2014 on a revenue-sharing model.
“We also hope to attract a lot of domestic tourists to experience a ride over the hills on the 500m long ropeway,” said Anchal.
“The cable cars will also provide connectivity to the Ayurvedic resort and other spots in the surrounding caves.”
The consortium also plans hotels, and organic farming involving the local community and ensuring a captive market for their produce, and resorts in and around the site.
This is the state government’s first destination development project by private players.
It will get 2% of every ticket sold for the first two years, to be revised after that.