PATHANAMTHITTA: The world's largest Ayyappa sculpture will be installed on top of Chuttipara which is in the centre of Pathanamthitta, as seen from Pandalam. Chuttipara, 400 feet above sea level, is a considered as a holy place where Lord Ram and Goddess Sita are believed to have stayed. There is still a small pond at the top of on the hilltop, which is said to have been used by Sita for bathing. The pond still does not dry up in summer. There, at a height of 133 feet, the concrete sculpture of Sabarimala Ayyappa in yoga nidra is being built. The sculpture, which can be seen from the highlands at a distance of 34 km, which will be a welcome sight to the pilgrims as they enter Pathanamthitta district.

This place belongs to Chuttipara Mahadeva Temple. The construction is also done by the temple trust. It will be completed in four and a half years.

The construction will be under the supervision of temple trust patron and architectural expert, Mokshagiri Madom Dr Ramesh Sharma, under the supervision of sculptor Devadattan, who constructed Kerala's largest Shiva statue at Azhimala in Thiruvananthapuram.

The outline of the project will be released on the 14th by Minister Veena George in Thiruvananthapuram. A museum including Ayyappa’s history, a model of Pandalam Palace, descriptions of Poonkavanam, Pampa and Azhutha rivers and a statue of Vavar Swami will be part of it.

Chuttipara

Kattadipara, Chelavirichapara and Polipara combines Chuttipara. There are steps to reach the top. The sculpture is in Kattadipara. Legend has it that Ram and Sita lived in this cave during their exile. There is a Hanuman temple there. There is a Shiva temple in Chelavirichapara.

133 feet - Height of sculpture

Rs 25 crore - Initial cost

400 feet – Height from sea level

Can be seen from a distance of 34 km