A CLUSTER of hills in Kerala, believed to be connected with a mythical character in the Ramayana will be turned into India’s first roch theme park.
According to local tradition, the rock, ‘Jatayupara’ in Kollam district marks the spot where the mythical bird Jatayu fell after its wings were slipped off by Ravan who abducted Sita, the wife of Lord Rama.
Rajiv Anchal, a noted filmmaker and sculptor and who is also the art-director of the project, said the character of Jatayu will form the crux of the theme park.
“A huge statue of Jatayu, laying on its back with its wings spread out and with a raised head, will be installed in the park. There will also be a 50-seat 4D theatre complex,” Anchal said.
A cable van, Ayurveda resorts and massage parlours, ethnic cottages and a gallery of murals are all part of the project which will be located 50 km from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram.
“The site has been conceived as a resort where holidayers can relax and have a peek into India’s culture, heritage and tradition through films and paintings, all against the backdrop of panoramic views,” Anchal added.
Fifty per cent of the construction of the bird statue has been completed.
“We think we can complete the first phase within one year,” Kerala’s tourism secretary V Venu said.
