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.