Projects

It is at the most auspicious rocky mountain ranges of the Jatayu Rama Rock, at Chadayamangalam (the corrupted version of Jatayumangalam) in the District of Kollam in Keralam, where the legendary vulture demigod Jatayu has sacrificed its life for rescuing Goddess Sita Devi from the abduction of the Asura King Ravan. Through the eternal supreme sacrifice, Jatayu has upheld the ideals of morality and righteousness which are the core values of our Civilization towards safeguarding the dignity and pride of womanhood.

Jatayu fought valiantly against Ravan bleeding him with its claws and beak. However, Ravan slew the left wing of Jatayu. The impaired Jatayu fell on the present-day Jatayu Rama Rock, whose last wish was to have a glimpse of Lord Sri Ram so as to brief the incident before breathing its last. To quench own thirst, Jatayu stroked its beak against the rocky ranges. Thus, a water reservoir has been created, by the grace of Mother Earth, named as “Kokkarani”. Sri Ramachandra held Jatayu on His lap and heard its narration. As the time has come for the legendary bird to leave its mortal body, Sri Ram performed the last rites and granted Morksha (eternal liberation) to Jatayu by standing on one leg on the top of the Jatayu Rama Rock. An impression formed out of His footprint, known as “Rama Paadam”, does exists even today. It is a practice that the devotees recite “Jatayu Stuti” (hymn by Jatayu in praise of Lord Sri Ram) from the Holy Ramayana here.

A pilgrimage to this holy site is certainly going to be a mesmerizable and memorable spiritual experience that guides a devotee towards self-realization. In order to facilitate the comfortable trekking of pilgrims to the top of the Sri Jatayu Rama Temple, a divine initiative titled, ‘Padam Padam Rama Paadam’ – A Flight of Steps to the Lotus Feet of Ram, has been launched.

The Jatayu Rama Rock (Jatayupara) is a holy pilgrim centre in the District of Kollam in the State of Kerala. It is the place where the vulture demigod Jatayu fought against the Asura King Ravan with indomitable courage, and sacrificed its life in the pursuit of protecting the honour of Goddess Sita Devi. The legendary bird through its martyrdom upheld the moral conscience of Sanatana Dharma that the pride and honour of women is paramount and shall always be safeguarded. Therefore, Jatayu remains an embodiment of selfless devotion to Goddess Sita Devi and Lord Sri Ram.

The supreme sacrifice of Jatayu is greatly relevant in the modern times given the ever-increasing number of atrocities on women, irrespective of their age. Sri Jatayu Rama Temple at the Jatayu Rama Rock is a standing testimony for the World to affirm against all injustices on womanhood.

Alongside the atrocities and assaults against women, the rate of suicides among women is on the rise. Dowry related deaths are not less as well. Added to them are those women with physical and mental disability suffering from diseases and penury. Those who do not have any active means of earning their bread and butter shall be empowered and brought to the mainstream. Therefore, it is our moral duty that the desires and aspirations of women are not impeded and are realised. The sacrifice of Jatayu lives in the hearts of all as an inspiration to challenge injustices against women and children.

Women Empowerment for Safety, Honour, and Entrepreneurship (WE for SHE) is envisioned at ensuring women safety and security through empowerment programmes and imparting vocational training and skill development. A charity home titled ‘Nirbhaya Kendra’ will rehabilitate and accommodate aged and shelterless women.

Sri Jatayu Rama Temple at the Jatayu Rama Rock Complex is a repository of biodiversity. It is like a social forestry with different species of trees, birds, monkeys, etc. blessed with rich flora and fauna. Besides, it is facilitated with natural water resources and habitable environs enabling it as a fully environment-friendly area that needs to be protected using indigenous methods. Geographically, the place is ideal for carrying out studies on various spheres of environmental sciences. It can also be an academical centre of excellence to impart awareness on the conservation of environment for the future generations. With this objective, ‘Environmental Protection and Indigenous Conservation Sanctuary’ (EPICS) will be founded for the study of the nature and for imparting training in conservation of natural resources using indigenous methods. In short, EPICS is contemplated to bridge the gap between human and nature.

The sojourn of Lord Ram in quest of Goddess Sita Devi and the Holy Ramayana have left an ineradicable impression in the minds and psyches of the masses and influenced the culture, heritage, and civilisation of Keralam.

Given this background, ‘Ramayana Institute of Cultural Heritage (RICH) is established to research and study on the historical, geographical, cultural, linguistic, and literary influence of Lord Sri Ram on Keralam.

Alongside the atrocities and assaults against women, the rate of suicides among women is on the rise. Dowry related deaths are not less as well. Added to them are those women with physical and mental disability suffering from diseases and penury. Those who do not have any active means of earning their bread and butter shall be empowered and brought to the mainstream. Therefore, it is our moral duty that the desires and aspirations of women are not impeded and are realised. The sacrifice of Jatayu lives in the hearts of all as an inspiration to challenge injustices against women and children.

Women Empowerment for Safety, Honour, and Entrepreneurship (WE for SHE) is envisioned at ensuring women safety and security through empowerment programmes and imparting vocational training and skill development. A charity home titled ‘Nirbhaya Kendra’ will rehabilitate and accommodate aged and shelterless women.

In the year 1965 AD, Param Pujaniya Swami Satyananda Saraswati Maharaj founded the “Jatayupara Sri Kodandarama Temple Trust” envisioning Sri Jatayu Rama Temple and The Jatayu Rama Rock as the epicentre of women empowerment, environment conservation, and cultural heritage, against the deteriorating states of womanhood, environment and civilisational values in the future generations. Jagadguru Swami Satyananda Saraswati was the beloved disciple of the Swayambhu Sanyasin Param Pujya Brahmasree Neelakanta Gurupadar and the founder of Sree Rama Dasa Mission (SRDM) – a Charitable Organisation aimed at serving the society in the fields of education, training, and psycho-spiritual healing for more than five decades. The energy and vibe of Param Pujaniya Swamji can be felt in the Temple Rock Complex where His Holiness has meditated for days together. Thus, the elegance, stillness, and serenity of the nature here makes it an ideal site to perform Sadhana and Upasana. The proposed Meditation Hall, beside Sri Kodandarama Temple, is to accommodate those who wish to pursue the deeper realms of Meditation and perform religious rites and worship. It is being constructed beneath the Temple on its Western side with due sculptural magnificence. The cave-like environment is intended to proffer supernatural bliss. Nonetheless, ‘Swami Satyananda Saraswati Dhyan Mantap’ would be a one-stop destination to take refuge at the Lotus Feet of Lord Sri Ram; where Jatayu attained Moksha on the lap of Sri Ram and the last rites of the legendary bird were carried out by the divinity personified.