Ancient Rulers of Anandapur

While Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom may have only opened in 1999, the history of the Kingdom of Anandapur goes back centuries. Some of this history is evident on the walls of the Maharajah's Hunting Palace, in portraits of several of Anandapur's early kings (or rajahs). Follow the portraits, and you'll see they tell a tale of the people and their transition from a mindset of controlling nature to one of coexisting.

The first rajah (above) is King Bhima Disampati, who initially closed the forest as a private hunting ground and commissioned the construction of the Hunting Palace. He's depicted with a bow and arrow. Nearby, birds flee and blackbuck antelope cower in the bushes. There are also a pair of cheetahs in this portrait, but notice they're wearing collars. Today, cheetahs are found almost exclusively in Africa, but they once covered a wider range where aristocrats often acquired them for use in hunting.

The first rajah was succeeded by his brother, who was lazy and didn't care for hunting. He had an appreciation for nature, but still in a very controlling sort of way. This king built the palace ballroom and created the pleasure gardens on the grounds. He is standing alongside one of his gardens (the ruins of which can be found nearby), holding a plucked flower and a string of pearls. He's also shown wearing a headdress adorned with exotic bird feathers.

Later in Anandapur's history, a new dynasty of rulers came along, bringing with it a period of peace (indicated by the pair of doves in this next portrait, above). This is the rajah who built the Red Temple, the model for which he holds in his hands. He may have had a certain reverence for nature, but his push for development often put him at odds with that. Note that he's standing on a bed of fallen palm fronds, indicating that portion of the jungle cut down to build the temple and expand the village.

Finally, we come to a portrait of a later rajah, who actually stepped down from his post and went to live out his life among the forest creatures. He's depicted in calm meditation, surrounded by birds who accept him as a friendly presence. It was he who turned the Royal Forest over to the people of Anandapur in the 1940s, so everyone might gain an appreciation for the region's natural treasures.

The Maharajah's Hunting Palace

Among the ruins to be found in the Anandapur Royal Forest are those of the ancient Maharajah's Hunting Palace. Once King Bhima Disampati decreed the forest a royal preserve in the 16th century, this area became a popular hunting ground for the royal family and their guests.

Some of the early murals which adorned the palace walls can still be seen, depicting hunters on horses and elephants or up in blinds taking down tigers for sport. Close observers will even spot the large doors which once led from the horse stalls and elephant paddocks.

The origins of the palace predate any enlightened sense of conservation of nature or wildlife for the Anandapuris. As such, the murals also depict a period in which tigers seemed plentiful, rather than endangered as they find themselves today.

Ironically, one mural includes a structure which would later become known as the Tiger Temple, a site which can be visited today in Anandapur Township (along the queue for Kali River Rapids). Of course, in modern times a different sort of boat is typically seen plying the waters of the nearby Chakranadi River, and sadly, tigers have long since been driven from that part of the country.

Back in the Anandapur Royal Forest, however, the tigers are now protected. Modern day visitors are advised to remain on the designated paths. If they do so, they may just be rewarded with a rare sighting of one of Asia's most beautiful and majestic creatures.

Nature, the All-Powerful Force

One of the principal themes in the land of Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom is the power of nature. This is especially evident along the Maharajah Jungle Trek, where ancient ruins of Anandapur's royal past have been overtaken by plant and animal life.

The pleasure gardens on the grounds of the former Royal Hunting Palace are crumbling now. A few fountains remain, and the citrus trees once planted by the rajah continue to flourish. Most of the rest, however, is but a shadow of its former glory, now reclaimed by the jungle.

This reclamation is nearly complete at the palace ballroom. Once a grand structure with ornate columns, tiled floors and a spectacular central fountain, the ballroom's domed ceiling gave way ages ago, leaving it open to the elements. Now, trees grow from cracks in the floor and the space has become a haven for species of exotic birds.

The rajahs and people of Anandapur eventually learned their lesson. Rather than trying to control or destroy, they now coexist peacefully with the natural world around them.

Water for Travellers

Placemaking is one of the key elements of the Imagineering art. The designers of a set or location strive to fill it with details, some subtle some not, to help make it look lived in and authentic. In the words of Disney's Animal Kingdom Executive Designer Joe Rohde, "Detail is there to make you believe in the reality of the story you're immersed in."

The land of Asia has some of the finest examples of this work. The visitor doesn't feel that he or she is in an artificial theme park environment. Asia provides an escape into another world. Everything contributes to the creation of that illusion. Take the scene above as an example: the old stone floor, the crumbling brick and plaster walls, the layers of prayer flags, the harvested bamboo, the bicycle. This is a place inhabited by real people going about their daily lives.

One important aspect of daily life in Anandapur is the need to acquire fresh water. Since good sources of potable water are scarce, locals come to a place like this to stock up. Rather than standing in a long line and waiting for the water, though, they simply leave their vessels here. Different colors and designs identify individual owners, and since this is a community water source, people work together in a spirit of cooperation. When someone passes by and notices that a jug is full, he will replace it with another. If you left an empty jug in the morning, come back in the afternoon, and it's likely to have been filled.

Of course, this sort of detail is only possible because the team working on the Asia project for Disney's Animal Kingdom actually travelled throughout Asia for research. Observing a cultural practice such as this, unique to that part of the world, inspired designers to add another layer of detail and storytelling to what otherwise would have been a simple theme park drinking fountain.

Legend of the Tree of Life

Myths and stories involving a Tree of Life have played a role in many cultures for thousands of years (most recently at the heart of Disney's Animal Kingdom park itself). In most of these legends, the tree is a symbol for the idea that all living things are connected.

Along the ruined walls of the ancient Tomb of Anantah in Anandapur's Royal Forest is a series of bas relief sculptures, depicting a tale of the Tree of Life. In the first panel (above), the Tree draws life to it and supports that life in harmonious balance. In the next panel, however, Man cuts down the Tree, upsetting that balance.

God unleashes the power of the Heavens to strike down Man, teaching him a lesson.

Finally, Man replants the Tree and learns to live in harmony with nature.

Legend has it that the man in the version of the myth depicted here was Anantah himself, founding ruler of Anandapur. He has passed what he learned down through the generations of Anandapuris, teaching them a reverence for the natural world.

The Red Temple

The Anandapur Royal Forest is teeming with wildlife, but there are symbols of man's influence here as well, including several structures from early periods in the region's history. The grey, stone temple seen above, for example, is what remains of the original Tomb of Anantah, the first ruler of Anandapur.

Nearby is the Red Temple, built as a replacement for the ancient tomb by a later rajah (king), part of the new dynasty. While the Red Temple is several hundred years old, it is actually one of the newest structures in the Royal Forest.

Stepping inside the Red Temple, most visitors are immediately drawn to the windows on the opposite side, offering views into an area of the forest frequented by tigers. What's often overlooked, though, is the large object in the middle of the room, the actual sarcophagus containing the remains of Anantah.

The stone sarcophagus was sculpted in two parts. The lower portion depicts a human figure, perhaps Anantah himself, while the upper portion depicts a turtle. In ancient cultures, turtles were often used to symbolize the earth. In this respect, the artist who crafted the sarcophagus centuries ago meant to honor Anantah, not as creator, but as the one who carried their world on his shoulders, bringing the people to their "place of all delight" which they in turn named Anandapur.

Let's Gather at Atavika Station

Built into the side of the cliffs which border the western edge of the Anandapur Royal Forest is the public meeting hall known simply as Atavika Station #12. This simple structure serves a variety of purposes for the people of Anandapur, with all manner of activities scheduled here throughout the course of the year.

Just take a look at the current week's calendar posted inside. You'll see the station is set to host everything from lectures and a tourism conference to a birthday party, wedding and children's theater assembly.

There is no multiplex cinema in Anandapur, so Atavika Station #12 is also where the community gathers when a copy of the latest Bollywood film finally makes it to town. Posters promoting coming attractions are displayed on a bulletin board, and you may spot the film projector used for the screenings, suspended from the rafters in the main hall.

Of course, the projector serves double-duty, offering an option for presenting educational films as well. This week's topic seeks to raise awareness among the local population of the importance of conserving bats which inhabit the forest and cliffs.

Bat-shaped kites provide decoration and catch the interest of school children coming to view the presentations. The chalk board has also been prepared for a bat lecture, offering descriptions of the species of bats most commonly seen in the area, Rodrigues fruit bats and giant Malayan flying foxes. The notes point out the important role the bats play in the forest ecosystem, helping to pollinate plants and disperse the seeds of fruit trees.

There's also a plea to the hunters of Anandapur. Although hunting of exotic species, such as tigers, has been outlawed in the forest for many years, some still insist on picking off bats for sport. The local farmers seem to be on board with spreading the message that the bats are helpful and should be protected.

The Anandapur Royal Forest

This week, we return to Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom for a visit to the Anandapur Royal Forest on Maharajah Jungle Trek. As the story goes, "Since very ancient times the Rajahs of Anandapur have hunted tigers in this forest." Today, however, it serves as a wildlife preserve, open to all the people of Anandapur and those who visit here.

The gateway to the Royal Forest is this small structure, which serves as both guard shack and residence for the guard whose job it is to man it. Just inside, you may notice a few personal artifacts of the guard's, such as the tiny radio he uses to entertain himself when things are slow and the multi-compartmented, metal lunch kit, much like those offered for sale in the nearby bazaar.

On your way through the guard shack, be sure to also look up. You'll see the roof is lined with newsprint, authentic papers from Southeast Asia.

When this part of the park was under construction, a Disney Security hostess who reads Sanskrit just happened to be assigned a post at the entrance to the Maharajah Jungle Trek attraction. Reading the articles to help her pass the time, she soon discovered several of the stories were inappropriate for a Disney Park. She brought the concern to the Imagineers, who not only corrected the issue, but hired her as a consultant on the Asia project. As thanks, they made her the face of Manesha Gurung, head of nearby Kali Rapids Expeditions.

Signs, Signs, Everywhere

The sign of truly brilliant placemaking in a theme park setting is when details not only reinforce story elements throughout the area, but also hint at a larger "world" than what can physically be visited within the boundaries of the park itself. Some perfect examples can be found in this hodgepodge of signs and ads at an intersection in Anandapur.

Some of the graphics on display really do point the way to legitimate locations nearby: Public Telephone, Restrooms, Maharajah Jungle Trek, Kali River Rapids.

Others reinforce story points from the area's attractions. The "Spectacular Bat Cliffs of Anandapur" can be visited on the Maharajah Jungle Trek. Kali Rapids Expeditions is the rafting company that takes Guests out on the Chakranadi River at Kali River Rapids. Serka Zong is the village at the foot of the Forbidden Mountain as featured in the story line of Expedition Everest. It's from Serka Zong that adventurers who have signed up with Himalayan Escapes Tours and Expeditions depart on the trains of Anandapur Rail Services for the base camp where they'll begin their ascent of Mount Everest.

The Shangri-La Trekker's Inn & Internet Cafe is the setting of the restroom facilities nearest Expedition Everest, but it's not a place we can actually visit. Other signs here further expand the story of the Anandapur District by making it appear that this is a full-blown community, rather than just a corner of a Florida theme park. Anandapur Woodcarving, Flying Yak Air Transport, Manam Travel & Tours Ltd. and the bicycle rentals only exist to help make this place more believable.

Perhaps the most intriguing of these graphics is the one at the top of the collection of signs, for Seven Summits Mountain Trekking. On one level, the name of this fictional company refers to the highest peaks on each of the seven continents on Earth (Everest being highest of all), but it goes further than that. Seven Summits Expeditions is also referenced on a window on Main Street in the Magic Kingdom, as part of a tribute to former Disney President Frank Wells.

Frank was a true adventurer. In 1983, a year before joining Disney, he set out to accomplish something no one at that point had ever done; to reach the peak of all seven summits within a twelve-month span. Frank made it up six of the seven, forced to turn back before reaching the top of Mount Everest. His 1986 book, Seven Summits, recounted the experience. This detail, placed in the shadow of Everest at Disney's Animal Kingdom, pays subtle tribute.

Depth of Story

Some of the most effective storytelling in a theme park environment is that where details throughout a land or area, not just within the boundaries of a specific attraction, work together to tell the tale. Take, for example, these elements from Asia at Disney's Animal Kingdom:

Fliers like the one pictured above can be found plastered throughout the village of Anandapur. Some of the local population are clearly upset about the logging activity happening in the nearby forest. These fliers add color and richness to the village, but also start to tell the story of Kali River Rapids, where our peaceful journey down the Chakranadi River is suddenly interrupted when our raft encounters a Tetak Logging crew.

Read further down, and the flier gives a call to action. There's a meeting Thursday night at Atavika Station #12. This may not register right away, but pay attention later when exploring the Maharajah Jungle Trek. The path brings you to a community center. Today, the center is hosting an educational session on fruit bats that inhabit the adjacent caves. Look around inside, and you'll notice a posted schedule of other upcoming events... including a protest rally.

As it turns out, this community center is Atavika Station #12. A tiny white sign at the entrance tells us so and in the process further solidifies the sense that Anandapur is a real place.