World’s tallest Statue honours the great Indian politician and freedom fighter, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This man served as India’s initial home minister and deputy Prime minister. This popular personality was a big supporter of Mahatma Gandhi.
He was getting famous among people for his involvement in bringing together 562 kingdoms of India. It also includes a vast portion of the old British Raj to build the Indian Union. The tallest Statue represents the symbol of this ‘Iron Man’, who played a vital role during India’s freedom struggle. He also helps in the unification of the princely states.
Location of Statue of Unity
This unique Statue is in Gujarat state. It is near the Kevadiya settlement on the Narmada River. Tourists can find the Sardar Sarovar Dam, approximately 100 kilometers southeast of Vadodara City. Interestingly, the monument and its environs cover more than 2 hectares of land.
Read also: Visit Gujarat in October: Must-Visit Places
How to reach the Statue of Unity?
- Through Road: As per the information, NH8 passes through Vadodara City, that’s why this place is well connected by road. You have to take a taxi or cab from Vadodara to reach a small town named Kevadia. It is nearly 90 km away from Vadodara.
- Through Railway: You can easily reach Vadodara through the Mumbai-Delhi Western Railway Mainline. This railway can offer tourists premium trains such as – Rajdhani, Shatabdi (etc.)
- Through Airline: Vadodara airport is the closest airport to this place.
A brief history of the Tallest Statue in the World
The current prime minister of India, Narendra Modi, proposed the Indian Statue commemorating it on 7th October 2013, when he started his 10th-year political journey as Gujarat’s chief minister. To work according to this plan, under the supervision of Gujarat’s Chief Minister, a society named Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust.
This movement began in 2013 by gathering the iron required for making the monument. As per the information, the farms are encouraged to contribute their old agricultural equipment for building this Statue. A marathon called “Run for Unity” was conducted to promote this monument in 2013.
Height of the Statue of Unity
It is the most giant Statue in the world, which stands 182 meters tall. This beautiful monument is nearly four times taller than New York’s famous Statue of Liberty. This monument’s height crossed the height of the Spring Temple Buddha in China (420 feet).
Tourists can climb up to 500 feet to the viewing gallery. The gallery is near the Statue’s chest. With the help of 2,000 Indian labourers and several Chinese labourers, this stunning Statue was built.
How was this Statue designed?
Before submitting the monument’s design, a team of artists, historians, and academics studied and researched several statues of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel across the country. After that, the final design was submitted by the Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar.
The posture and expression can justify the great independence campaigner’s dignity and confidence. Moreover, this design also expels the kindness of his personality. After the model design was approved, a specified 3D scan was designed, starting the basis for the bronze cladding cast in China.
Construction details of this monument
On 27th October 2014, India’s leading infrastructure company, L & T, won the contract to build this massive project because this company offered the lowest bid of Rs 2,989 crore, equivalent to Rs 36 billion in 2018, for this construction and maintenance.
For the construction of the house, this company has employed 250 engineers and more than 3000 workers. They used a vast quantity of construction materials to build this inside and outside of the monument, which includes –
- 6500 tonnes of structural steel
- 210,000 cubic meters of cement concrete
- 1700 tonnes of bronze plates
- 18500 tonnes of thickened steel
- 1850 tonnes of bronze surround (in turn, they also include 565 macro and 6000 micro panels) and many more things.
The total height of this monument is nearly 240 m or 790 ft. This unique Statue has a base of 58 m, and the rest of the Statue has 182 m in height. The 182 number is specifically chosen as the same number of seats in the Gujarat Legislative Assembly.
It nearly took 57 months to complete this entire project. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Rashtriya Ekta Trust (SVPRET) has been established to achieve this monument without any issues. This trust works under the Government of Gujarat.
Why is the Statue of Unity important for India?
This monument is considered ‘Pride of Nation’ because it has been awarded in Time’s list of 100 most incredible places in the world. This Statue will surely boost income from tourism. It also helps to rate a vast number of accommodations, transports, and other services. Apart from these sectors, restaurant service will also be increased surrounding this place.
According to experts, this structure will remain for 1000 years. That is why it can contribute to the national income of India through tourism for decades. Several local individuals can get employment through this sculpture. Local businesses will make lots of progress.
Significance of this Statue in tourism
To make this place a world-class tourist center, the state government has made every possible effort to develop the whole neighborhood. Besides the domestic visitors across India, this tourist destination can also draw the attention of many foreign tourists. One of the essential features of this Statue is its location, as it is made on a rising Island. People can explore the beautiful scenic surroundings of the Satpura. Moreover, they can enjoy the views of the Vindhyachal range and the heroic river Narmada.
The prime attraction of this place is a viewer’s gallery inside the Statue. This tourist site is at a height of 135. At a time, this structure can accommodate 200 persons. People can also notice high-speed lifts installed inside the Statue. These lifts can take 5,000 people per day to the viewing gallery. From this gallery, tourists will explore picturesque views of the surrounding areas.
Apart from the Statue of Unity, tourists can pursue numerous other tourist attractions, including the Valley of Flowers, Sardar Sarovar Dam, Cactus Garden, and many more. As per the information, the state government of this place also opened a luxurious nature sanctuary. After this monument opened to the public (1st November 2018), more than 1,28,000 tourists visited the Statue of Unity in 11 days. Most interestingly, over 1.9 million visitors have come to this place for nine months. Experts say this statute can generate nearly 15,000 direct jobs in tourism.
The unique feature of this monument
The Laser Light and Sound Show is one of the key attractions of this monument. People can explore a light and sound show on the Statue of Unity every evening except Monday. A light show is projected on the Statue by using laser technology.
This colourful laser lighting system portrays an outstanding narration of the Indian history and life of the great politician Sardar Patel. You can also explore his contribution to the Independence Movement from this lighting show.
Nearby attractions from this Statue
- Explore the Valley of Flowers: This outstanding valley is also popularly known as Bharat Van. This stunning valley spans 24 acres of land, allowing visitors to enjoy colourful flowering plants along the bank of river Narmada.
- Enjoy Nauka Vihar: Near this Statue, people can explore a boat ride (Nauka Vihar) in Dyke-3, Panchmukhi Lake in Kevadia. Although tourists can also come to this place to enjoy its scenic beauty.
- Visit Sardar Sarovar Dam: It is the third-highest concrete dam in this country. It is 163 meters high. Surrounding views near this dam are mesmerizing.
- Check out a Cactus Garden: Tourists can find a unique botanical garden near the Statue of Unity site. It is created to exhibit a huge variety of Cacti and succulents. Here tourists can explore the true miracles of adaptation. Most interestingly, people can pursue 6 lakh plants of 450 species here. This stunning cactus garden is spread across 25 acres of open land.
- Experience a Jungle Safari: Near the Statue of Unity, tourists will find a state-of-art zoological park. Visitors can watch a unique collection of indigenous and exotic animals through a fantastic jungle safari. Moreover, they will also find several birds from the different biogeographic regions of the world.
Some unique facts about the Statue of Unity:
- According to experts, the Statue of Unity is nearly four times taller than New York’s famous Statue of Liberty.
- A massive amount of materials are used to build this project, including nearly 18,500 tons of reinforced steel rods and 2,500,000 cubic feet of concrete.
- Approximately 12,000 bronze panels cover the structure’s outside, weighing around 1,700 tons.
- According to experts, this beautiful monument will become a nationalist pilgrimage for nearly 2.5 million visitors annually.
- Tourists can explore a viewing gallery at a height of 500 feet near the monument’s chest.
- Along with several hundred labourers from China, more than 2,000 Indian workers contributed their construction efforts to build this project.
Most suitable time to visit the Statue of Unity:
The most suitable time to visit this place is the cooler months of October to February. However, this tourist spot is open all through the year. This beautiful monument remains open from Tuesday to Sunday at 8:00 AM and closes at 6:00 PM. On the other hand, tourists can enjoy the Laser Light and Sound Show from 7:30 PM onwards daily. For maintenance work, it remains closed on Mondays.
Conclusion
Several tourists are attracted to this monument because of its mesmerizing beauty. Tourists can also enjoy the views of the surrounding area from the chest area of this Statue. History lovers will surely prefer to visit this tourist destination. By visiting this place, tourists will gather knowledge about rich Indian history. If you want to spend a great vacation with your family and friends, visit this place.
Relevant Reading:
- 9 Most Famous Jain Temples of Gujarat
- Gujarat’s Popular Offbeat Places to See
- 8 Famous Places to Visit in Kevadia
- Top 10 Reasons to See Gujarat
- Gujarat’s Most Famous Festivals in Celebrate
- 5 Things to Do in Saputara Hill Station
- Top 8 Places to Visit in Rajkot
- Most Famous Dishes in Gujarat
- Gujarat’s Architectural Wonders and Cultural Treasures
- Exploring Gir National Park in Gujarat
