Netizens from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh are engaged in a social media debate over the true mythological crash site of Jatayu following the release of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, with each state claiming distinct local legends and monuments associated with the fallen bird king.

Netizens from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh are engaged in a social media debate over the true mythological crash site of Jatayu following the release of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, with each state claiming distinct local legends and monuments associated with the fallen bird king.

Netizens from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh are engaged in a social media debate over the true mythological crash site of Jatayu following the release of Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana, with each state claiming distinct local legends and monuments associated with the fallen bird king.

While Nitesh Tiwari's Ramayana is running successfully in theatres across the country, a not-so-tidy banter over Jatayu is brewing on social media. Netizens from three southern states are the belligerents in this war of words, which was triggered by the release of the Hindu mythological epic.

The first part of the Ramayana duology ends with Ranbir Kapoor's Rama vowing to bring back Sita (Sai Pallavi), who was abducted by Ravana (Yash), even if it means eliminating the entire army of the Lord of Lanka. As Ravana was flying away with Sita, Jatayu, the King of Birds and a friend of Rama and his father Dasharatha, emerged from the clouds and challenged the demon. However, armed with the mighty "Chandrahasa"—the sword that was a reward from Lord Shiva—Ravana chops off Jatayu's wing, which ultimately ends the duel.

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The face-off between the bird king and the demon king is the visual delight that Ramayana offers towards the climax, before we see emotionally charged final moments leading to the fallen warrior's funeral.

Meanwhile, the people of Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are caught up in a dispute over the place where the one-winged Jatayu is said to have crashed after his effort to rescue Sita failed. None are willing to back off, and each remains adamant that the actual "crash site" is in their state and that the other two are emulations.

Here is a closer look at all three places and what local myths say about their relevance:

Thiruputkuzhi, Tamil Nadu: 

All three theories agree that Rama and Lakshmana found the mortally wounded Jatayu on the ground while searching the forests for the missing Sita. With not much time left, Jatayu reveals it was Ravana who took Sita by air and that his destination is the island kingdom of Lanka. Soon, the great bird dies and Rama lights his pyre. Since Jatayu was a friend of his father's, Rama conducts his final ceremonies.

According to local belief, Jatayu belonged to the "Pul" family of eagles and was laid to rest in a pit ("kuzhi" in Tamil). Thus, the resting place of Jatayu became "Thiruppukkuzhi". For the water needed for the rites, Lord Rama pressed one end of his bow deep down and created a spring, which is now known as "Jatayu Pushkarani." It is said that Rama took a bath in this stream and, as promised to Jatayu during his passing, stayed there for a while. Thus, there is a temple here known as the Thiruputkuzhi Sri Vijayaraghava Perumal Temple.

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Thiruputkuzhi is one of the 108 Divya Desams found in Tondaimandalam and is very near to Kanchipuram, a report said.

Kollam, Kerala: 

Meanwhile, in Chadayamangalam village in the Kollam district of neighbouring Kerala sits the Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park. Locals say it was on one of the mountains in the area that Jatayu breathed his last. Chadayamangalam was originally "Jatayumangalam", and the peak where the bird fell became Jatayupara/Jatayu para (Jatayu Rock).

In 2018, Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park unveiled the iconic fallen Jatayu statue, which is the largest bird sculpture in the world and is built on top of the 1,000 ft-high Jatayupara. Interestingly, one cannot be blamed for pointing out that the Bollywood movie showcasing the fallen bird drew inspiration from the iconic statue, which is a popular tourist destination. It depicts a one-winged bird with its head tilted upwards, screeching and with its claws raised.

Le Pakshi, Andhra Pradesh:

Last but not least, Lepakshi is situated around 15 km from Hindupur. In 2015, a Jatayu statue was built here as well. The root story remains the same. When Lord Rama found Jatayu in a helpless state here, he exclaimed "Le Pakshi", which in Telugu means "Rise, bird".

Alongside the Veerabhadra Temple built by the Vijayanagara Empire, the area now holds a Jatayu Theme Park near Nandi Farm Resort, reports show.

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