Tracing Jatayu's final flight: Keralam, AP, TN in reel battle over Ramayana's mythical bird

Ever since the Ranbir Kapoor-Sai Pallavi starrer Ramayana Part 1 was released, many aspects of the movie have been widely discussed in depth on social media.

From 'whether Sita's hair was straight or curly' to 'whether Ravana was really a social crusader', are some of the creative and cultural points that seem to interest Ramayana enthusiasts. Meanwhile, in South India, an aspect that seems to be surprising many is that there are multiple places that claim to be the sacred ground where the mythical bird Jatayu finally fell fighting Ravana, who was abducting Sita to Lanka. On social media, it's even triggering an amusing reel-meme battle.

While Keralites claim the right place where the bird fell is Chadayamangalam in Kollam district, in Tamil Nadu, two places are famed for it - Thiruputkuli in Kanchipuram and Pullabhoothangudi in Thanjavur. In Andhra Pradesh, the village named Lepakshi in Anantapur and in Maharashtra, Janasthana in Nashik, are known as the sites where Jatayu breathed his last. What do these places offer pilgrims and tourists? Is there any consensus on what's the right place where Jatayu fell? Here's what we know. 

The renowned 'Jatayu' spots
a) Jatayu Earth Centre, Chadayamangalam, Keralam
This spot in Kollam district has Jatayu's massive sculpture, designed and sculpted by Rajiv Anchal. It's also the world's biggest bird sculpture, of a collapsed and injured Jatayu, on its back. Local lore says that the place was initially called 'Jatayu Mangalam', which later transformed into Chadayamangalam.

Even before the centre came up in 2018, the town was locally known as 'Jatayupara' aka Jatayu Rock. The hilltop here also houses the Sree Kodanda Rama Temple and has a big population of bonnet macaque monkeys, for whom a daily feast is held. Here's what else the centre offers tourists.

b) Lepakshi, Andhra Pradesh
Local traditions here say the Lepakshi in Telugu means 'rise, bird.' It is believed that Rama said this to the wounded Jatayu. The spot also has a Jatayu Park and a large sculptural tribute to the bird. Unlike in Chadayamangalam, the Jatayu here stands upright, ready to fly. The Veerabhadra Swamy Temple here also has a giant footprint revered as that of Hanuman's or Sita. It's open daily from 8 am to 9 am and from 5 pm to 6 pm.

c) Thiruputkuli or Thirupputkuzhi, Tamil Nadu
The 13th-century Vishnu Temple here, near Kanchipuram, is considered the site where Rama performed Jatayu's final rites. The name 'Thiru' 'put/pul' 'kuzhi' refers to the 'pit where Jatayu was cremated.' The sculpture here shows the wounded Jatayu on the lap of Lord Vishnu or his incarnation, Vijayaraghava Perumal. The temple also has a sacred tank named 'Jatayu Theertham,' where the bird fell. The temple is open 7 am to 12 noon in the morning and 4 pm to 7 pm in the evening.

d) Thirupullabhoothangudi Temple, Tamil Nadu
The temple has the sculpture of an emotional Rama after Jatayu's cremation. It is revered in Vaishnava tradition as the 'Jatayu Moksha Sthalam'. The walls of the inner sanctum of the temple also feature Jatayu with Hanuman and Lakshman. Along with Rama, Bhoomadevi or Mother Earth, is also featured here, as per the belief that she emerged to be with Ram during Jatayu's final rites. Just like the Kanchipuram temple, this shrine also has a water tank named Jatayu Theertham where the bird is believed to have fallen.

e) Taked in Janasthana, Maharashtra
This sacred spot, near modern day Nashik, is believed to be Jatayu's 'hometown'. Local people believe that Jatayu was able to intercept Ravana's Pushpaka Vimana immediately, as he lived in the vicinity. Pilgrims visit the Sarvatirth Jatayu Mandir here, which houses an idol of the bird and a sacred tank. It is believed that Rama summoned the water here with an arrow to quench a dying Jatayu's thirst.

It's open daily from 5.30 am to 7 pm.

The Ramayana trails
According to renowned historian MG Sasibhooshan, the presence of many spots that claim Jatayu's story shows the impact of Ramayana on Indians. "Ramayana may or may not be a historical incident. However, its heritage swept across our land, like a gust of wind. That's why people started associating many spots around us with Ramayana," he explains.

For example, Agastheeswaram in Kanyakumari is believed to be the place where Rama fought the demoness Thadaka, says the historian. "Similarly, Maruthwamala in Tamil Nadu is believed to be a fallen piece of the mountain Hanuman was carrying to Lanka. Ambukuthi Mala in Kerala's Sultan Bathery is said to be where Ravana's sister Surpanakha's nose was cut off. Pulpally is also attributed as the place where Sita lived with her sons Lava and Kusha. There are many places like this, which are connected by people to the Ramayana with their creativity. I don't think that they have any connection with history."

That said, the route of the Ramayana is now being traced historically too, he points out. "Nashik in Maharashtra is thus, now, named as the place where Surpanakha's nose was cut off. Panchavati, where Ram, Sita and Lakshman stayed, is also here. All of these are beliefs. No historical evidence was found from any of these spots," he says.

The tourism department in Sri Lanka is also charting out Ramayana-related spots now in the country, says Sasibhooshan. "Ravana's capital is said to be Trincomalee, which is identified as 'Trikudachalam' in the Ramayana. Ramboda is where Hanuman is believed to have landed. There is also an 'Ashokavanam' Botanical Garden there, which also has a Sita Amman Kovil, which I have also visited. All of these are a product of local lore and collective imagination of the people at work. We shouldn't look at it as history," he says.

Where should a visitor go?
According to local historian KR Ravi Mohan, what is the right spot where something mythological happened is totally up to a visitor.

"For example, I am from Kollam and therefore, I would feel a natural connection to Chadayamangalam, and its link with Ramayana's Jatayu. Visiting this spot would therefore offer me happiness and satisfaction. Similarly, whichever place a tourist or pilgrim feels they can get it, that would be their ideal destination," he explains. Sasibhooshan also opines it's a personal choice.

"Ramayana is a unifying factor in India, and it's no small feat. Which of these places to believe in or visit is a person's discretion. Regardless, checking them all out only enriches us culturally and spiritually," he says.