Statue of Unity, Gujarat

About Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Lovingly referred to as the 'Iron Man of India', Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was the first home minister of Independent India. As per records, he was born on October 31, 1875 in Nadiad, Gujarat, later growing up in Karamsad. After completing his matriculation, he pursued a course in law and went on to become knowledgeable in the field of criminal law as he developed himself as an esteemed defense lawyer as he took up various cases in the Kheda district of Gujarat.

After establishing himself as a capable lawyer, he went on to qualify as a Barrister in England, further making a name for himself due to his knowledge and competence as an eager learner of law. On reaching India, he accepted the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi and followed Indian politics closely. Partaking in various satyagrahas and strikes during the pre-independence era, he even served a jail time of 3 years under the British government.

Through continuous efforts to get free from British rule, he is most remembered for his role during the partition of India, where he was able to pursue more than 500 princely states to join the Union of India, with only a remaining handful left to join to become Pakistan, fulfilling his role as the Deputy Prime Minister of India, later becoming the country's first ever Home Minister. His determination to unite India with diplomacy, and unwavering efforts led him to be given the title of 'Iron Man of India'.

Things to Do at the Statue of Unity

Explore the statue from the inside: Statue of Unity in Gujarat is not just a regular statue, but a structure that contains a whole world within itself. Divided into multiple zones, the statue has various levels for visitors to explore, including a museum that is located along the feet of the statue. The museum contains an identical sculpted head of Statue of Unity, made out of bronze for visitors to view at a closer glance. Surrounded by the statue, visitors can also learn more about the life and achievements of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel with a 15-minute audio-visual presentation. Also, along the same floor, there exists a memorial garden as well. Offering a fun and rewarding activity in Statue of Unity, after viewing the garden and the museum, visitors can then proceed to the viewing gallery, from where one can get an enchanting view of the Satpura, and the Vindhyachal Mountain Ranges, as well as the Sardar Sarovar Reservoir and the Garudeshwar Reservoir in the distance. Located along the chest of the statue, this zone can be reached by a fast traveling lift.

Witness the light and sound show: Using the statue itself as a screen, a 30-minute-long laser light and sound show is held every evening at the Statue of Unity. Attending the show is among the popular things to do here, which is followed along with a narration that talks about Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, his early life, his role during India's independence, and his contribution to uniting the princely states to form the Union of India, recollecting the major phases of his life. Featuring high brightness projectors, and compelling background scores, the Statue of Unity's light and sound show is bound to be a memorable event.

Places to Visit around Statue of Unity

• Valley of Flowers: Also referred to as Bharat Van, Gujarat's Valley of Flowers presents a beautiful carpet of more than 300 colorful flowers along the banks of the River Narmada. With many photo and selfie booths, visitors can take back with them some cherished memories captured among the colorful and vibrant ambiance, making it one of the best places to visit around the Statue of Unity.
• NaukaVihar: At the NaukaVihar near Statue of Unity, visitors can indulge in a fun 45-minute boat ride at the Panchmukhi Lake in Kevadia. Boating among the scenic region that finds itself surrounded by lush forests, riding at the NaukaVihar is among the fun activities to do near the Statue of Unity.
• Cactus Garden: Housing more than 450 species of cacti and succulents from various countries around the world, Cactus Garden is a one-of-a-kind botanical garden in the country. Providing an amazing opportunity to understand more about the ecosystem and flora of the desert, Cactus Garden is a popular attraction near the Statue of Unity.
• Ekta Nursery: Created due to suggestions by the country's Hon'ble Prime Minister, the nursery functions as a means to showcase various eco-friendly practices that people can adopt and offers articles made using Bamboo, and Areca Leaves. Also housing an apiary, the nursery also has a dedicated area that showcases local tribal culture, and is a fun place to explore on a sightseeing tour.
• Children Nutrition Park: Created with the vision of making children aware about nutrition and healthy eating habits, Children Nutrition Park in Gujarat was also envisioned by Hon'ble Prime Minister. A dedicated theme park, it is developed to provide a fun experience for the children visiting along with educating them on essential dietary habits.
• Dino Trail: A dinosaur species endemic to the region of the Narmada River Valley in Gujarat, Dino Trail displays a big-sized replica of the RajasaurusNarmadensis, whose remains have been excavated from the nearby area. Measuring 75 ft. in length, and 25 ft. in height, Dino Trail is an interesting place for dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages tovisit near the Statue of Unity.
• Sardar Patel Zoological Park: Also known as Jungle Safari, the zoological park is located within the Statue of Unity complex and contains a number of native and exotic species of animals and birds, where you can even see animals like hippopotamus, giraffes, and zebras, while on your visit to the Statue of Unity.
• Vishwa Van: A global forest, Vishwa Van contains flora such as herbs, shrubs, and trees belonging to the 7 continents of the world, continuing the theme of 'unity' further still. Arranged in a manner to represent the forests according to region, Vishwa Van brings together pieces of global biodiversity, forming an interesting place to explore during your tour.

Interesting Facts About Statue of Unity

• Standing tall at 182 meters, the Statue of Unity overshadows the Spring Temple Buddha in height, and makes for the tallest statue in the world!
• Made with state-of-the-art technology, the Statue of Unity can tolerate earthquakes of 6.5 level, safely.
• The iron used in the making of the statue has been collected from farmers across the country, an approximate total said to be around 5,000 tonnes.
• Depicting Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel in a walking stance, there is a massive gap of more than 6 meters until.

Best Time to Visit Statue of Unity in Gujarat

The best time to visit the Statue of Unity in Gujarat is between the months of October to March. It is during this time that the weather is pleasant and it is comfortable to travel, with minimal heat, rain, and humidity, making it the perfect time to go for asightseeing tour.

Visiting Timings

Note: Statue of Unity remains closed on Monday, and is open to the public between Tuesdays and Sundays.

Statue of Unity Online Ticket Booking

For booking your tickets to explore the Statue of Unity, visitors can book it on their official website at www.soutickets.in. You can also buy the tickets in-person as well, but that's a risk since these tickets get sold out sometimes. and could lend you unable to visit the statue. When it comes to the prices of the tickets, they vary for Indians and foreigners, and even then, vary between regular entry and express entry.