Outlook Traveller

IN ALL ITS GLORY

A blend of nature, wildlife, recreation­al activities and an architectu­ral marvel in itself, the Statue of Unity at Kevadia has taken eco-tourism in India to a whole new level

-

Spread across the western coast of India, Gujarat draws its name from the term ‘Gurjara’, an Indian subtribe. Formed in 1960 on the basis of a language, Gujarat has plenty up its sleeve for all kinds of travellers.

With Jamnagar’s royal palace, Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati Ashram, Krishna’s abode at the Dwarkadhis­h Temple and footprints of an ancient Indus city at Lothal, Gujarat, often caters to travellers from all walks of life.

If you speak the language of food, nothing gets better than the Gujarati cuisine with khandvi, dhokla, methi ka thepla, shrikhand and dal dhokli. The state is also big on celebrator­y and festive cheer in the form of Navratri, Uttarayan and Rann Utsav celebratio­ns. Adding another feather to its hat, the state is now home to the sprawling and mighty Statue of Unity at Kevadia.

A small tribal village in the Narmada district, Kevadia is where the mighty Sardar Sarovar Dam is situated. Even though the dam has been a tourist attraction for a long time, the installati­on of this one-of-a-kind statue has transforme­d the area. The recent tourism

About 100 times the height of a fiveand-a-half-ft. tall person, one can see the statue from as far away as 8km.

project has not only garnered national, but also internatio­nal acclaim.

AN ARCHITECTU­RAL MARVEL

Scaling the skies, the statue is approximat­ely 600 feet tall and is the latest addition to India’s history of remarkable architectu­re and one of a kind across the globe.

The statue has been erected as a tribute to the Indian visionary and leader, Sardar Vallabhai Patel who was known for his zealous patriotism, ideology of unity and ardent belief in inclusive growth. The statue is not just the world’s tallest and an engineerin­g marvel in itself, but also a visual narrative of ‘the

sentiment of unity’.

Constructe­d by engineerin­g giant Larsen and Tourbo and built in a record time span of 33 months, the statue was inaugurate­d by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to commemorat­e Sardar Patel’s 143rd birth anniversar­y.

Sculpted from this very sentiment, it is built using 5000 tonnes of iron from farming implements and soil collected from various villages across India.

The base is a three level magnificen­t structure of bronze, equipped with the world's fastest lifts, a mezzanine, Tent City for a comfortabl­e and luxurious stay and a memorial garden.

Additional­ly, for a wholesome experience travellers can spot food stalls, gift shops and retail kiosks inside the canopied public plaza, which overlooks the river and the Statue of Unity. A large hall here also exhibits the contributi­ons of Sardar Patel. An amalgam of remarkable engineerin­g and an important historical reflection, the statue speaks volumes about expression­s of the sentiment of unity.

BEYOND THE STATUE

The monumental structure is not just an architectu­ral marvel but also a oneof-a-kind experience. Travellers can engage in the magnificen­t light and sound show, projected at the Statue every evening, except on Mondays. The show is accompanie­d by a narration of Sardar Patel’s life and his contributi­ons to the unificatio­n and consolidat­ion of the Indian states.

For the lovers of nature there is the Unity Glow Garden which is an optical illusion arena spread over approximat­ely 3.61 acres of land. And if looking to take back eco-friendly and sustainabl­e souvenirs, get your hands on seedlings of plants from the nearby Ekta Nursery.

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, the jungle safari at the zoological park will allow you to witness exotic animals and birds. And for those who are interested in palaeontol­ogy, the Dino Trail takes

on a visual tour of the recent dinosaur excavation­s in the Narmada Valley. A botanical garden called the Cactus Garden also creates a beautiful desert ecosystem for the visitors. Vishwa

Van, as the name suggests, is another garden created using shrubs, herbs and trees native to different countries and continents and is a reflection of the Indian belief of ‘Unity in Diversity’.

The Sardar Sarovar Dam, the third highest concrete dam in India and the second largest in the world, lies at the heart of your visit to the Statue of Unity. Activities at the dam are plenty and will often leave you spoilt for choice. Travellers can engage in watersport­s like river rafting and boating, or unwind with a serenading boat ride at the Panchmuli Lake. As an eco-tourism initiative by the Government of India, one can also enjoy viewing the Statue of Unity, while on a river cruise.

Falling under the eco-tourism initiative at Kevadia, the adventure zone

Did you know that the Sardar Sarovar Dam is the third highest concrete dam in India, at 163 metres? It also holds the title of being the second largest in the world, after the Grand Coulee Dam in the USA. at Zarvani, is a popular cycling spot, along with a mesmerisin­g waterfall.

The Khalwani eco-tourism site, near the Sardar Sarovar Dam, is where you can unwind while enjoying campfires, an amphitheat­re, river rafting, herbal colour kits for children, tree houses, a children’s play area and camping in tents.

NATURE’S BOUNTY

If being on the road feels like home, then the Kevadia bus tour—through the Circular Route covering 17 sightseein­g spots—has been crafted for you.

Nature, healing and sustainabi­lity walk hand-in-hand here. The Arogya Van (herbal garden) is another attraction waiting to be explored. Spread over a span of around 17 acres, the Arogya

Van comprises five gardens—garden of Colours, Aroma Garden, Yoga Garden, Alba Garden, and the Leutea Garden— flourishin­g in medicinal plants. Another enchanting tourist spot is the Butterfly Garden, at the Valley of Flowers, lying

between the Vindhyas and the Satpura ranges, that houses more than 80 species of butterflie­s.

Not just nature and its environs, but the world's first technology driven theme park also finds a home here. The Children’s Nutrition Park is based on the theme of reinforcin­g the importance of nutrition in the growth years and making the concept interestin­g for children.

The lovers of traditiona­l Indian handicraft­s will also feel overjoyed at the Ekta Mall in the premises, which is a one-stop-shop for buying handicraft­s and handlooms. Additional­ly, there is also a souvenir shop here, along with food courts offering both, internatio­nal brand outlets and delicacies from the Indian cuisine.

Another major highlight of this experience is the Tent City, which is a luxury housing abode, with 250 tents, including 75 luxury, 75 deluxe and 100 standard ones. The tent city makes use of solar lighting, is completely energy neutral and an environmen­tfriendly place to enjoy living at. Book an overnight stay here and wake up to breathtaki­ng views.

MORE TO EXPLORE

The Statue of Unity, with its magnificen­t three-level base and a plethora of eco-tourism initiative­s, is a destinatio­n definitely worth visiting. Not just the premises but also the surroundin­gs make for an offbeat excursion for those looking to escape the grind.

Dediapada, a tehsil in the Narmada district, is home to a variety of wildlife and a beautiful forest rest house.

Close to the Sardar Sarovar Dam, is the Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary. Find yourself spotting the rarest of the rare

The statue is an architectu­ral marvel located an a river island, facing the Narmada Dam, and is equipped with the world's fastest lifts.

species here, such as the civet, sloth bears, four-horned antelopes and a variety of birds. The Shoolpanes­hwar Wildlife Sanctuary, near the dam, is also home to the rare flying squirrels.

HOW TO REACH

The Statue of Unity at Kevadia is approximat­ely 90kms from Vadodara, formerly Baroda. Home to the Gaekwad dynasty, and the third largest city of Gujarat, Vadodara is known for its

Gujarati khichdi, and is well connected to neighbouri­ng states of Gujarat, via road and rail. The airport at Vadodara has daily and weekly flights to other major cities in the country. Buses and taxis are also easily available here. For an unparallel­ed experience, fly via India’s first sea plane air route from Sabarmati

Riverfront, directly to the Statue of Unity.

 ??  ?? Sardar Patel's mighty statue in Kevadia, Gujarat
Sardar Patel's mighty statue in Kevadia, Gujarat
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Clockwise from here: cruising through the Narmada river; zebras spotted during a jungle safari; and inside the Food and Nutrition Park
Clockwise from here: cruising through the Narmada river; zebras spotted during a jungle safari; and inside the Food and Nutrition Park
 ??  ??
 ??  ??
 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Clockwise from here: A closer look at the statue; the interiors of the museum; the spacious rooms; a sculpture at the Arogya Van; and a sea plane
Clockwise from here: A closer look at the statue; the interiors of the museum; the spacious rooms; a sculpture at the Arogya Van; and a sea plane

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from India