The recently unveiled statue of unity in Gujarat is making headlines as the tallest statue in the world. The statue is built to honor India’s man of steel, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and was inaugurated last October by the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Narendra Modi. Standing at 182 meters, the statue is almost double the height of the statue of liberty in New York and is expected to bring in a massive tourist inflow to Gujarat. The statue is located against the scenic backdrop of Narmada River and Satpura range of mountains which is sure to mesmerize the visitors with its striking demeanor.
The foundation for the statue was laid back in 2013 but the construction work began a year later after thorough planning and considerations regarding the exact location, size and design of the statue. The iconic statue of Sardar Patel appears to be walking towards Sardar Sarovar Dam which was conceptualized by noted sculptor Ram V. Sutar who conducted a detailed research of Sardar Patel by studying his photographs and consulting other eminent historians who had spent time with the iron man.
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a veritable role in India’s struggle for independence. He served as the Deputy Prime Minister of India post independence and integrated all the princely states into a single democratic nation, India. The marvelous structure in Ahmedabad is built especially to pay homage to Sardar Patel and symbolizes peace and unity, the two adages Sardar Patel propagated all his life.
The construction of the statue of unity got completed in just 33 months. A team of 3000 workers and 250 engineers were enlisted to undertake the construction of the statue. The exterior of the sculpture is made entirely from bronze while the core of the statue is built from concrete and reinforced steel and can with stand earthquake up to 6.5 on Richter scale.
The most impressive feature of the statue of unity is the lift installed inside the statue that takes you to the gallery which offers gorgeous views of Narmada River. The whole project cost around INR 3000 crores and is believed to garner at least 10, 000 tourists per day. The sculpture has five zones of which only three are open for public viewing. The first zone contains a museum showcasing the life of Sardar Patel and his contribution to India. An audio-visual presentation next to the museum gives a glimpse of the life of Sardar Patel and highlights the state’s rich tribal culture.
Nearly one lakh tourists visited the site after the statue was opened for public viewing on 2nd November 2018. To view the statue, visitors are required to take a bus any day of the week except for Mondays, from the parking area outside the premises of the statue as private vehicles are not allowed around the statue. Tickets are priced at 350 INR for adults and 60 INR for children under 15 years and include a visit to the exhibition deck along with a brief trip to the observation deck located at the top of the statue. You can buy the tickets near the entry gate and from Shreshth Bharat Bhawan near the statue or book them online from www.soutickets.in
Many tour operators in India have come forward with special Gujarat Statue of Unity Tour Packages, which offer an opportunity to witness the magnanimity of the iconic sculpture and also gives a peek into the awe-inspiring beauty of Narmada River and Satpura Mountain range. The Statue of Unity tour also lets you explore other attractions around the statue like the flower valley which houses several species of blooms, selfie point which is constructed solely for the purpose of taking selfies with Sardar Patel’s statue.
With soul-stirring vistas of crystal clear Narmada River against the alluring Satpura and Vindhyanchal range and a booming wildlife in the forests around the region, the place offers unending options to keep the tourists entertained during their Statue of Unity tour.
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