In the Indian state of Gujarat, there is a large statue known as the Statue of Unity. At 182 metres (597 feet) tall, it is the tallest statue in the world and features Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of India's founding fathers and a pivotal figure in the country's struggle for independence. To honor Sardar Patel's efforts to the integrity and unity of India, the statue was erected. Ram V. Sutar, an Indian artist, created the design, and the top engineering and construction company in India, Larsen & Toubro, built it. On October 31, 2018, the 143rd anniversary of Sardar Patel's birth, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled the statue.
The statue is accessible by a recently constructed bridge and is situated on a river island named Sadhu Bet in the Narmada River. A vast complex that houses a museum, a research facility, and a memorial garden surrounds it.
The concept of erecting a statue in commemoration of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of India's founding fathers, was initially put out in 2010 by Narendra Modi, who was the Gujarat Chief Minister at the time. The statue was intended to honour Sardar Patel's services to India's integrity and unity.
Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar won the competition to choose the statue's design, which took place in 2013. Five years passed between the start of the statue's construction in October 2013 and its completion in October 2018.
Larsen & Toubro, a renowned engineering and construction company in India, built the statue. It is the highest statue in the world, standing at a height of 182 meters (597 feet), and was constructed from a combination of steel, bronze, and concrete. On a river island in Gujarat, India's westernmost state, called Sadhu Bet, is where the statue may be found.
By air: Vadodara Airport, which is located about 90 kilometers from the Statue of Unity, is the closest airport. To go to the statue, you can fly to Vadodara and then take a bus or a taxi.
Via train: Vadodara Junction, which has good connections to important Indian cities, is the station that is closest to the Statue of Unity. Train travel to Vadodara, followed by bus or taxi travel to the statue, is an option.
Via car: There are many roads that go to the Statue of Unity. From Vadodara, Ahmedabad, or Surat, you can take a bus or a taxi to get to the statue.
You can purchase a ticket to enter the complex when you get to the statue and then ride a shuttle bus to the foot of the statue. A high-speed elevator will take you up to the statue's summit where you can get a panoramic view of the region.
The Statue of Unity is best visited in the winter, from November to February, when the temperature is comfortable and cool. The weather during this time spans between 10°C to 25°C, making it the perfect time for outdoor recreation and sightseeing.
These are some things to think about if you intend to visit the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, India:
1. Tickets are required for entrance into the Statue of Unity compound. Tickets can be purchased at the entrance's ticket booth or online. To prevent standing in long lines, it is advised to purchase tickets in advance.
2. Weather: It's important to wear loose, comfortable clothing because the Statue of Unity is situated in a hot, humid area. It's crucial to check the weather before making travel plans because the area can be vulnerable to floods during the monsoon season (June to September).
3. Security check: As there is a stringent security check at the Statue of Unity, it is best to just bring the absolute necessities. The official website has a list of objects that are not allowed.
4. Transportation: The Statue of Unity is roughly 200 kilometers (90 miles) from Ahmedabad and 90 km (90 miles) from Vadodara. From these cities, you can take a bus or a taxi to get to the statue. Moreover, there is a helicopter service that departs from Vadodara and Ahmedabad.
While the closest resorts to the statue of unity, like Grand Unity and Tent City, provide picture-perfect views of the tallest statue in the world, there are also other natural resorts, like Galaxy Homestay and Reva Forest Resort, that provide a completely different level of experience and let you relax and enjoy your stay in pristine surroundings.
Some prominent options are -
Hotel Narmada · Hotel Reva · Hotel VR Inn · Hotel Plaza Inn · Hotel The Pramukh – Mansingh Inn · GenX Vadodara.