Did you know that Shuka Vana is a parrot park with over 2000 parrots of 450 species, a part of the Avadhoota Datta Peetham in the Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram, in Mysore, Karnataka?
Shuka Vana in Mysore Karnataka, a parrot park, a large aviary for ornithophiles and nature lovers, spread over an area of 1 acre, has over 2000 parrots of about 450 varied species; Quaker Parrots, African Grey Parrots, Macaws, Cockatoos, Amazon Parrots Eclectus, Lorikeets, Sun Conures, and Orange Winged Toucan are among these 450 species of birds. Shukavana was established in 2012, and named after sage Shuka of the ancient times considering his contributions towards teaching righteous values. Shuka in Sanskrit means parrot and thus the name is derived from the large number of parrots found originally found around the Shukachari hills.
This delightful park is a part of the Avadhoota Datta Peetham in the Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Ashram. It not only fosters parrots from different parts of the world but also serves as a rehabilitation centre for abused, injured and abandoned birds. It was at the initiative of revered seer of the ashram, Sri Ganapathi Sachidananda Swamiji, a Hindu avadhutha known for his healing abilities, that the parrot park came to established in the picturesque Mysore, near the foot of Chamundi Hill, among natural surroundings. The seer’s philosophy is that birds are crucial for the human race’s existence and hence the general public visiting the park develop a sense of respect and friendliness towards the avian species.
The incident narrated to the establishment of this aviary happened more than 25 years ago when Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji was on a spiritual tour to South America. While visiting a waterfall in Venezuela he accidentally fell into a 100-ft deep lake from the boat, and only when a flock of macaws flew over him the life-guards noticed the drowning Swamiji and saved him from drowning. Swamiji, moved by this incident attributed his life as a rebirth credited to the birds, and when he came back to India, decided to establish a rehabilitation centre for parrots and thus Shukavana took shape as part of his Avadhoota Datta Peetham Ashram.
The Shuka Vana houses parrots drawn from various parts of the world. These Parrots have been assigned as per the zodiac signs they are connected with, and one can find a parrot that represents their birth date and planet as per Indian astrology. Parrots here can also be found to symbolise days and months of the year. Many parrots rehabilitated here are housed in most habitable conditions and looked after by a professional team of care taker volunteers and veterinarians.
In the initial stages, devotees of the ashram and the owners of the birds started bringing sick and injured parrots to Swamiji for treatment and rehabilitation. For these injured or abandoned parrots from different corners of the country, a small aviary was built to house about 25 injured birds. They were given treatment and over the course of time, the number has grown exponentially from few dozens to hundreds and today there are over 2000 exotic birds from all over the world. Also the park has a garden of more than 2500 Bonsai Trees apart from other plants and shrubbery which has created an enchanting natural environment.
The present one-acre distinctive parrot park built over the years provides the birds enough freedom to fly about with trees and cages all around. Earlier they were always free to fly about but since visitors were scared of some birds that led them to getting stressed, the birds are restricted to the aviaries now.
Parrots are held sacred in India due of their ability to mimic human speech and they played a pivotal role in the Vedas and the Puranas. Swamiji, keeping thus aspect in view, not only gives these winged beauties personal attention but also trains them. Swamiji’s oft repeated refrain is: “Parrots have capabilities not only for mimicking human speech and songs, but are perhaps the vital source of man’s initial foray into areas of communication.”
Amazon Parrots here are particularly known for their mimicking capabilities. These human-friendly birds have been trained to mimic. They mimic words like Rama, Jaya Guru, Datta, Appaji, hello, how are you, good morning etc, some can even recite phrases and can sing a few of Swamiji’s bhajans. Swamiji has even named some of these parrots as Bittu, Ranga, Indira, Appu, Rocky, and Shrona to name a few.
Birds in this aviary are fed with mixed fruits, chopped mixed vegetables, green leafy vegetables, sprouts, millets seeds, almonds, walnuts, cashews, and special vegetarian Cerelac powder loaded with proteins. They are fed in the morning hours along with clean filtered water.
The aviary has a dedicated bird hospital called ‘Parivana’ that provides veterinary care and shelter to injured, abandoned, and ailing birds.
Shukavana is partnered with National Geographic and other reputed organisations that work to protect birds and their habitat.
The park has the record of ‘Most bird species in an aviary” which fact has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records.
There is small entry fee to visit the park and photography is restricted.
Narasipur Char
