History, Importance, Timings, Celebration, Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Statue of Unity, Kevadia, Narmada, Gujarat, India
The tallest Statue of World, 182 meter height, Statue of Unity also now terms as short name SoU is built in honour of Iron Man of India, Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel near small town of Kevadia in Narmada district of Gujarat, India. The first home minister of independent India, Shree Vallabhbhai Patel, who has united 562 princely states of the country to build the Republic of India with his great vision for our county. This iconic statue is located between the Vindhyachal and Satpuda ranges, on Sadhu-Bet Island in sacred river Narmada, facing Sardar Sarovar Dam, one of the largest Dam of India. 182 meter height is chosen based on the 182 Vidhan Sabha seats in Gujarat. The Statue of Unity is around 30 meter taller than 153 meter high Spring Temple Buddha in China and almost twice of the world famous Statue of Liberty in New York.
The foundation stone of this majestic Statue of Unity was laid down on 31 October 2013, the 138 birth anniversary of great freedom fighter Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel by Shri Narendrabhai Modi then chief minister of Gujarat, India. The construction of statue was founded on PPP model and main investor is Gujarat State government, and total cost of project is around 3000 crores. Statue of Unity is designed by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar, Padma Shree and Padma Bhushan awardee and inaugurated by Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on 31 October 2018, the 143rd anniversary of Sardar Patel's birth after 5 years from foundation.
The engineering marvel statue is made up of bronze, structural steel and reinforced concrete, kits to collect soil and metal were sent to 169,078 village under Loha Campaign where farmers and people had donated their tools to be melted which was used in construction. The statue is lean most at the base, which is opposite of other tall statue normally on wide base and also the walking pose opened up a gap of 6.4 metres between the two feet makes base narrow. The outer façade is made up of 1,700 tonnes of bronze plates and 1,850 tonnes of bronze cladding. The 320-meter long bridge connects island hill to the mainland. Such design makes statue earth quick resistance and strong wind as well. You can view this grand statue from around 5 km away.
The entire Statue of Unity project is divided into main 5 Zones. Zone 1 consist of memorial Garden, Museum and small theatre. Zone 2 is the base area of the grand Statue. Zone 3 consist of Viewing Gallery at around 500 feet height - the prime attraction of the Statue of Unity. Zone 4 is the maintenance area whereas Zone 5 area consists of shoulders and Head section of the statue.
Statue of Unity is mainly divided in three interesting portion, at base museum, then feet of statue and third one is viewing gallery. At core of the Statue of Unity, there is 153 m high viewing gallery from where you can have spectacular views of the Sardar Sarovar Dam, Satpura and Vindhyachal Mountains. You can reach here with high speed passenger elevator which takes you to statues’ chest where around 200 tourist can be accommodate – what a giant gallery. Along with Statue of Unity and Viewing Gallery, there are lots of other attraction here where you can spend whole day.
Valley of Flowers known as Bharat Van is spread across 24 acres of land with more than 200000 colorful flowering plants along the bank of river Narmada, also you can take pic at selfie point.
Sardar Sarovar Dam, the third largest dam of India is another key attraction here since many years.
The Cactus Garden, another attraction which is created to exhibit a huge variety of Cacti and succulents, spread across 25 acers of land which showcase the desert ecosystem.
You can also go for Nauka Vihar in Dyke-3 known as Panchmuli Lake in Kevadia to witness the pure nature which takes around one hrs.
Children Nutrition Park, the Unique Theme Park which provides key knowledge to the children on healthy eating habits and nutritional values.
You can also have option to go for Jungle Safari where you can see various animals and birds.
Vishwa Van - Global Forestm home to herbs, shrubs and trees native to all 7 continents signifying the underlying theme of ‘Unity in Bio-diversity’ is another key attraction.
Also tourist can opt for adventurous activities like night trekking and experience the nature surroundingof Kavedia.
The Shreshta Bharat Bhavan complex at the base of the Statue is home to a museum, exhibition, shopping complex etc.
Helicopter ride is available for tourist to enjoy full majesty of the Statue of Unity.
Apart from this you can also plan to visit Zarwani Waterfall, Ninai waterfall, Kabirvad, Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, Rajavant Palace, Poicha Swaminarayana Mandir, Chanod Triveni Sangam, Garudeshwar – Dattatreya Tirth Kshetra, Rajpipla, Bharuch, Vadodara etc.
Statue of Unity Timing, Ticket, Price
The Statue of Unity is open from Tuesday to Sunday 8 am to 6 pm, it is closed on Monday. There are various kind of ticket option as below which you can book online from official website - www.soutickets.in or on the spot. It is advisable to book ticket online to avoid last moment hurdle and rush.
1. SoU Express Ticket of 1030 rs which includes the direct entry to lift for viewing Gallery, Museum, Light and Sound show, Sardar Sarovar Dam view and Bus service.
2. SoU viewing Gallery Ticket of rs 380 for adult and 230 for child between 3 -15 years which includes all the things as Express entry but the difference is you will have to wait for lift for around 30 – 90 min based on crowd.
3. SoU entry ticket of 150 rs for adult and 90 for child which includes Museum, Light and Sound show, Sardar Sarovar Dam view and Bus service. In this ticket you will miss the great viewing gallery and its excitement.
You can also book a ticket for other activities like River Rafting, Jungle Safari, Cycling tours, Children Nutrition Park, Boating, Cactus & Butterfly Garden, Kevadiya Bus tour and Ekta Nursery.
As millions of tourist across the world started visiting here throughout the year, so various world class facilities has been developed here. You can have variety of option for accommodation including tent city, resorts, hotels etc.
How to reach Statue of Unity, Kevadia, Narmada, Gujarat, India
As Kevadia is now holds high significance across the world for its world’s tallest statue of Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Statue of Unity, thus very well connected to all major cities of India via Air, Road and Rail Network. You can reach to Kevadia via Vadodara which is major junction lies on Mumbai Delhi Western mainline. Also Vadodara airport is nearest airline from Kevadia at 90 km from where you can get flight to all major cities of India. Also Kevadia has now newly built railway station which is India’s first railway station with green certificate. Now Indian railway has planned several trains from major cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Varanasi, Ahmedabad etc. to reach Kevadia directly which helps in increase footfall of tourist. Kevadia has major bus stop and newly built highway which gives high level comfort to tourist. You can also get autos from Kevadia to Statue of Unity and Sardar Sarovar Dam.
Apart from Vadodara you can also easily visit the Statue of Unity from Ahmedabad or Surat, with both cities having railway stations, airports, and being within 2-4 hours driving distance from the Statue of Unity. Also there are lots of private bus service provider operate bus to Kevadia along with day package from Surat, Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Vadodara etc. Also, you can hire private cab from Ahmedabad, Surat or Vadodara to reach Kevadia.
Kevadia is located at 25 km from the Rajpipla, 90 km from Vadodara, 150 km from Surat, and 200 km from Ahmedabad, 40 km from Poicha, 50 km from Chandod, 52 km from Dabhoi, 10 km from Garudeshwar.
