JATAYU (Sanskrit: जटायुः)
In the Hindu epic Ramayana, Jatayu is a demi-god who has the form of a vulture or eagle. He is the younger son of Aruṇa and his wife Shyeni, & an old friend of Dasharatha (Rama's father).
According to the epic, Upon hearing Sita's cries when she was being kidnapped by Ravana, Jatayu immediately flew to her aid. He slashed & fought hard against the demon king & almost won if it wasn't for his aged body. Jatayu had held on to his life to inform Rama of the whereabouts & the direction in which Ravana took Sita. Jatayu then died of his wounds & Rama performed his final funeral rites by summoning the seven sacred rivers after cracking open the Earth with his arrow.
According to local lore of Kerala, it is believed that Jatayu fell on the rocks in Chadayamangalam in Kollam district of Kerala after his wings were clipped off by Ravana. Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park was set up in his honour at the place he fell, which is credited as the world's largest bird sculpture.
Art by @frescoarts
