KEVADIA The new tourism hub of India

The travel industry recently saw two major events, the ADTOI’s 10th Annual Convention and TAAI’s Tourism Conclave at Statue of Unity, Kevadia in Gujarat where the world’s tallest statue stands majestically. Both the events were supported by the Gujarat Government who wanted to showcase Kevadia to the association members and stakeholders. This new tourism hotspot has various tourist attractions in close vicinity and there is something new for every member of a family. TTJ was indeed impressed by the Statue, the tranquil locales, and new discoveries.

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is most often remembered for his efforts to unify the country- something which perhaps explains the name “Statue of Unity”. He was responsible for integrating 533 princely states into the Indian Union, post our independence. Sardar Patel’s commitment towards the unification of the princely states for the formation of a consolidated Indian republic, and his tireless relief efforts for the refugees leaving Delhi and Punjab and integrating the British colonial provinces that were allocated to India, earned him the title ‘Unifier of India’. It was in his memory, and as a mark of his contribution to a nation filled with diversities, the idea of the Statue of Unity took birth.

The Statue of Unity, the world’s largest statue, stands on Sadhu island on the Narmada, 3.2 km downstream of Sardar Sarovar Dam. During the day, the magnificent statue is a sight to behold and can be seen from as far as 7 km away. Inside the complex, one might have to encounter long queues unless you have an express ticket. The viewing gallery is at +193m level and has a view of the river on its way downstream. The most attractive of the views in the gallery is from the front side of the statue, facing the dam from which one can observe the whole visitor centre, the dam, the reservoir and the reserve forest.

No place is better than the selfie point to enjoy the surrounding view. Even the museum and the audio-visual gallery within the statue are major attractions for tourists. The Statue of Unity also provides a ferry ride facility for the visitors and now they have started helicopter ride as well. It allows the visitors to get an aerial view of the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the Statue of Unity. Visitors can enjoy the view of the Narmada River and the Satpura and Vindhya hills. The helicopter ride costs `2900. One ride accommodates five to seven people and lasts for 10 minutes.

Beside the statue is The Valley of Flowers (also known as Bharat Van) and is spread across 24 acres of land and is a haven for colourful flowering plants along the bank of river Narmada. The Valley of Flower began with 48,000 plants in 2016 and has now reached up to 22, 00,000 plants. Besides the parks, several photo booths and selfie points have been developed to take back fond memories

of the visit. A right blend of ornamental flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers and creepers are planted along with various shades of foliage, which form the green cover in this area.

The evening is the best time to visit the statue. The laser (projection mapping) show reflects the journey of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his role to create India as a nation from various subcontinents. Every evening, it attracts thousands of spectators eager to see the grand event. The show uses statue as a canvas with a beautiful mixture of laser lights, sound, graphics, and storytelling. The 25-minute show leaves the viewers spellbound and patriotic and in goosebumps.

Continuing with patriotism, tourists can also visit the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Dam for the Light & Sounds Show. The Dynamic LED lighting at 163 meters high and 1210 meters long Sardar Sarovar Dam, in the serene atmosphere of Narmada Valley with patriotic songs, is worth watching and hearing. Besides the dam, one will find a park illuminated with attractive and vibrant lights, known as the Unity Glow Garden, a unique theme park that has been developed with a glimmering array of installations, figures and optical illusions. There are many botanical, animal and bird representations covered with LED glowing lights on display to welcome all tourists to experience the joy of night tourism.

There are many more feathers that can be added to the cap when it comes to the Statue of Unity and its surroundings nearby. The Cactus Garden has two parts, one is a Cactus garden, and another is Butterfly Garden. Both the places are very inspiring. The Cactus garden consists of around 450 varieties of cactus and succulent plants collected from different parts of the world. It’s hard to believe that even a cactus can be so beautiful and there are hundreds inside. Few varieties are also available for sale. One can be amazed to know even species like dragon fruit and Blue Agave, a plant from which Tequila is derived grows here.

The Butterfly Garden is an open park and a must-visit place. It is where you can spot more than 15 varieties of local butterflies and more after the rains. Good pathways are built around where you can see butterflies closely. Cute selfie points are also placed in the garden. Definitely must visit this place to connect with nature.

The key highlight of Arogya Van is the ‘AushadhManav.’ This is a giant threedimensional layout of a human body in a resting posture. Each human organ is represented by a medicinal plant that is beneficial for that particular organ. So these plants are planted on the specific part of the body to make the visitors understand the specific plants used for the therapeutic treatment of that particular organ. This is also the place to understand the importance of medicinal plants in daily Ayurvedic use. The place is located around 10 minutes from the Statue of Unity near the helipad. The morning or evenings are best suited for this activity and one has to make sure to book a guide, and they do an excellent job by explaining about the place and letting tourists know about the plants.

The Children Nutrition Park is a unique theme park envisioned and inspired by Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi and which has been developed as a part of Kevadia Integrated Development. It provides high-quality entertainment and vital knowledge to the children on healthy eating habits and nutritional values based on the theme of “SAHI POSHAN DESH ROSHAN.” The entire park is designed and implemented for the benefit of the children, and extensive use of state-ofthe-art technology is being made, which gives a fascinating experience to the children visiting the park.

Again, Ekta Nursery was envisioned by Narendra Modi, while dedicating the Statue of Unity to the Nation. He suggested developing this Ekta Nursery as a tourist destination to spread awareness about eco-friendly practices. This nursery serves dual purposes of serving as an educational cum demonstration centre for tourists and providing employment to local people. Ekta Nursery yields one million plants and tourists can experience making of Bamboo Crafts, Areca Leaf Utensils and Organic Pots live, and can purchase them too, along with plants.

The Jungle Safari in Sardar Patel Zoological Park is spread over an area of 375 acres at seven levels ranging in altitude from 29 metres to 180 metres. It houses more than 100 species of animals and birds, including wallaby (a macropod related to the kangaroo and found in Australia and New Guinea); llama and alpaca (camelid species native to the Andes of South America); giraffe, zebra, blue wildebeest, gemsbok or oryx, and impala (all native to Africa). In all, the

safari is the only safari of its kind in the country with such a wide range of exotic animals.

A ferry boat service called the Ekta Cruise goes from Shrestha Bharat Bhavan to the Statue of Unity, covering a distance of 6 km downstream on the Narmada over 40 minutes. The cruise has two vessels: Unity-1, a twodeck catamaran certified to carry 200 passengers, and which can provide a dinner cruise with a 160-sq-foot performance stage on the upper deck; and Unity-2, a high-speed monohull boat that can carry up to 25 passengers, with a travel time of 25 minutes.

River rafting activity has now become possible at the Khalwani area in Kevadia, due to the regular release of 600 cusec flow of water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Adventure enthusiasts can now enjoy river rafting in 4.5 km stretch with whirlpools, rapids, and many turns which provide an exciting and unforgettable rafting experience for the first time in Gujarat. So be embraced by the thrills of rafting, as there are as many as 6 rapids through the channel of Narmada.

The deciduous site surrounded by hillocks and the Narmada flowing by is unhindered by any human interventions. This is an ideal camping and hiking site. The nearby Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary is a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts, and the growing popularity of the Statue of Unity immensely adds to the tourism potential. Also, a cycling tour presents a unique way of discovering the region. This place offers all aspects of nature– from lush green mountain forests to invigorating rivulets, the region offers scenic beauty, exquisite flora and fauna, and an oozing dose of culture. There is a proper natural cycling trail for around 8 km one way and splendid eco cycles available on rent.

The Zarvani Waterfalls is a popular spot among tourists and nature lovers from Gujarat. The place provides ample opportunities for eco-tourism and campsites owing to its immense aesthetic beauty. To the mind and body of a weary tourist, the sparkling water of the fall in the middle of a lush green forest is a transformational experience. The water is so clean that one can see through and spot small fishes at the bottom. Local guides are available at the site and they are all cooperative.

In the Kevadia tourism zone, the government has built 3-star hotels, shopping centres, and a research centre. There are also many private hotels and tent accommodation available. However, if you want to spot the best scenes of the Statue of Unity, Sardar Sarovar Dam and the surroundings, for accommodation, then one should consider Tent City options with tent city 1 and 2 which offers all sorts of luxurious living for different types of tourists. They are equipped with all the latest amenities, providing excellent service and help to make your visit memorable. Here, you can get closer to nature with the best camplike accommodation. The tents help you to feel the ultimate serenity of the place. There are different packages and some come with sightseeing and you have to choose the one that suits your specifications. It’s a perfect destination for family tours, educational tours, weddings, conferences, etc.

Recently, the Statue of Unity crossed the 5 million visitors mark in just 553 working days, making it a greatly popular domestic tourist destination. Overall, Gujarat’s Statue of Unity has been drawing more tourists than the Statue of Liberty in the US and has also emerged as a family holiday destination of international standards offering multiple attractions for all age groups. In a bid to make the destination more accessible, the government plans to improve rail and air connectivity to Kevadia. The government recently added eight new trains from different parts of the country and a seaplane service from Ahmedabad. Indeed, this place is a must-visit. Do plan a trip there whenever you can.