The Statue of Unity is a salute and nobility to the first minister of home affairs of liberated India “Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel”. The statue was inaugurated on 31st October, 2018 which marked the 143rd birthday of the man who is responsible for knitting together the princely states of India to build the republic of India.
The Statue of Unity is the world’s tallest statue with a height of 182 m. It was the idea and vision of Shri Narendra Modi. The construction of the Statue of Unity started in 2010 by the Lursen and Toubro (L&T)group. This statue is located in the Kevadia area of Gujarat against the backdrop of the mighty Satpura and Vindhyachal Hills.
There is a basin of the river Narmada and a sprawling Sardar Sarovar Dam. The details about the history of Shri Vallabhbhai Patel and all the information about the construction of the Statue of Unity are present inside the in-house museum, which is located inside the statue itself. It is the world’s tallest statue as compared to the other statues in the world.
| Position | Statue | Height | Country |
| 1st | Statue of Unity | 182 Meters | India |
| 2nd | Spring Temple Buddha | 153 Meters | China |
| 3rd | Ushiku Daibutsu | 120 Meters | Japan |
| 4th | Statue of Liberty | 93 Meters | USA |
| 5th | Christ The Redeemer | 39.6 Meters | Brazil |
Activities and things to do at Statue of Unity
Let’s see which activities can be carried out at Statue of Unity:
- Statue observation deck: This area is at the chest portion of the statue of unity which is situated at 135 meters from ground level. You can experience the breathtaking view of the mighty Satpura and Vindhyachal ranges. You also get a view of the Sarovar Dam and the Narmada Basin.
- Visit to the museum and exhibition hall: This is an inbuilt museum at the Statue of Unity. You can visit this museum and gain an insight into the life history of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. You will also get to know about how Sardar made his contributions towards the unity and independence of India.
- Audio-visual Gallery: This is also included inside the Statue of Unity. When you visit this gallery, you will experience and see the life history of Shri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. There is also an audio-visual show that shows the history behind the construction and significance of the Statue.
- Light and Sound show: When you visit the Statue of Unity, you should not miss the mesmerising light and sound show that takes place in the evening. This show illustrates the life contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
- Ekta Mall: Going to far-off places to see the Statue of Unity and not getting any souvenirs is not an option. To cater to the shopaholics there is a mall that is present inside the complex. This mall keeps all the traditional and local souvenirs, which can be bought by the tourists.
- Maze Garden: After exploring and gaining an insight into the life documentary of the former home minister of independent India. You should visit the maze garden which is situated across 2100 meters of land near the Statue of Unity. The garden is shaped in the form of Shri Yantra. There are nearly 1.8 lakh saplings in the garden which add to the beauty of the lush green surroundings.
- Ekta Boathouse– The Ekta Boathouse has two well-built bedrooms, a dining room, a front deck, a drawing room and an upper-observation deck. When you visit this Boathouse, you can indulge and enjoy yourselves in the Kashmiri and Gujarati art culture that is showcased in this boathouse near the Statue of Unity.
Nearby Places to visit at Statue of Unity
Let’s explore the nearby places that can be visited by you:
- Valley of Flowers: When visiting the Statue of Unity, you should definitely visit the valley of flowers nearby it. You will get to see an attractive garden that is planted with pleasing, sweet-scented and eye-catching flowers. You can take a walk here in the garden and spend some quality time with family.
Visiting hours– 9 am to 6 pm
Entry fees– Free entry
- Sardar Sarovar Dam: This dam is just a few kilometres away from the Statue of Unity. You can visit this dam to see its engineering superiority and to know about its water-saving attempts and noteworthiness in agriculture and irrigation.
Visiting Hours– 9 am to 6 pm
Entry Fees– Free entry
- Cactus Garden: This is a garden that is home to various cactus species and succulents. There are about 450+ species of desert plants in the garden near the Statue of Unity. When you visit this garden, you get an opportunity to appreciate the types of desert plants that are present there.
Visiting Hours– 9 am to 6 pm.
Entry Fees– INR 30/- per person
- Jungle Safari: Adventure and wildlife lovers here is an opportunity for you to have a close proximity with nature. This jungle safari is very close to the Statue of Unity. When you go to this Jungle Safari, you will be able to spot birds,deer antelopes and various other forms of animals.
Visiting hours– 9 am to 6 pm
Entry Fees– For Adults- INR 200/- per person
For Children (3-15 years)- INR 125/- per child
- Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary: If you are one of the nature enthusiasts or a person who loves wildlife, then you should definitely take a trip to this sanctuary which is near the Statue of Unity. You will be able to spot reptiles, leopards and other species of birds here.
Visiting Hours– 9 am to 5 pm
Entry Fees– INR 20/-
Various ways to reach Statue of Unity
Planning a trip to the Statue of Unity from any city in Gujarat or India? read below how you can reach the Statue of Unity.
- By Road: Statue of Unity (200 kms) away from Ahmedabad.
- By Air: 90 km away, the nearest airport is the Vadodara Airport.
- By Rail: A two-hour drive away from the Statue of Unity is the nearest railway station, the Vadodara railway station, connecting all major cities.
Best Time to visit the Statue of Unity
November to February is the best time to visit. The cool, pleasant climate during these months makes it a satisfying visit to the Statue of Unity. You can travel to the various allurements at this place by avoiding the extremely hot sun and enjoy the beautiful bloom of flowers.
Timings and Entry Fees at Statue of Unity
- Timings for entry: The Statue of Unity is open from 9 am to 6 pm everyday except for Mondays.
- Entry Fees: There are different entry fees depending on the type of ticket you buy. The various Statue of Unity ticket types are:
- General Entry ticket– With this ticket you get access to the observation deck, surroundings of the statue and the museum. It is INR 150/- per person.
- Express Entry ticket– INR 350/- per person for skipping the line at the observation deck.
- Viewing Gallery Ticket– With this ticket you get access to the 3D movie, observation deck and a visit to the Sardar Sarovar Dam at INR 1000/- per person.
Places to eat nearby Statue of Unity
While having an eventful day at the Statue of Unity, you will also want to relish yummy food. Below are restaurants which are nearby to the location:
- Narmada Restaurant– This restaurant is near the parking area of the Statue of Unity. This restaurant offers delicious Indian and international cuisines and has prompt and attentive services. You can enjoy a wholesome meal here.
- Jungle Bhookh Restaurant– Settled between the wilderness of the place, the restaurant near Statue of Unity serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The restaurant also serves the local Gujarati savouries. The warm setting of the place makes it suitable for having a wonderful meal with family and friends.
- Rasoi Restaurant, near the Ekta Lake– To enjoy a delicious thali, you should definitely come to this restaurant. This restaurant is near the Statue of Unity and serves delicious meals. The ambience and service of the restaurant make it a wonderful place to dine at with family and friends.
- Rajwadi Restaurant, Kevadia– This restaurant serves all types of cuisines. The restaurant offers a generous portion of servings, and the prompt services make it an ideal place for visit by the travellers.
- Cafe Kevadia– Not in a mood for heavy eating? Then you can stop by at thiscafé and enjoy a snack along with coffee. This also allows you to rewind and take a small break from an eventful day.
- Street Food Stalls– These stalls are near the Statue of Unity. You can enjoy yummy chaats and local street snacks here. All these street food stalls are affordable and yummy.
Staying Options at Statue of Unity
There are hotels near the Statue of Unity where you can stay and spend a night. These hotels are at a distance of 3 to 8 kms. The hotels that are available here are The Fern Residency, Hotel Rasal, The Grand Mercure and Regenta Central Harimangla.
Fond of massive Statues: Visit Statue of Belief
If you are someone who has immense liking towards massive statues, then you should definitely visit the Statue of Belief in Nathdwara. If you are planning to come to visit the Statue of Belief, then you should definitely plan for Udaipur and also book your stay at a private villa.
Goya Hills is a private luxury villa in Udaipur with a swimming pool and a private jacuzzi. It is a 3& 6 BHK villa between the Aravalli Hills. The villa provides all services that are required for a comfortable stay and provides peace and calm after an eventful day. To book your stay with us, kindly give us a call at + 91 9024082177
