Namita SawantThe Statue of Unity (SOU) is the tallest statue in the world, standing at a height of 182 meters. Built as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also known as the Iron Man of India, this statue is one of the most visited tourist destinations in India. Located in the town of Kevadiya, the statue is situated on the banks of the Narmada River in Gujarat, near the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The statue is primarily made of bronze and weighs approximately 2,000 metric tons.
A visit to Gujarat is incomplete without exploring this iconic monument, although a single day may not be sufficient to fully experience all the attractions it offers. Nevertheless, let me share how you can make the most of your day exploring the Statue of Unity and its associated attractions.
How to reach the Statue of Unity?
The Statue of Unity is well-connected to most cities via roadways and airways. Vadodara Airport is the nearest airport, approximately 90 kilometers away. The closest railway station is Vadodara Junction, around 75 kilometers away. From there, you can hire a taxi or rent a car. We explored this place by our car. If you are traveling from Mumbai, it is best to travel by your own vehicle, which will take approximately 8 hours.
There are several accommodation options located close to this destination, ranging from luxury to budget hotels. We booked our stay at Club Mahindra Netrang, which is approximately 60 kilometers away from this place. It is advisable to book your accommodation online, especially if you plan to travel during the peak tourist season, which is from October to March. We visited this place during the monsoon, and luckily, the rains were not too heavy, allowing us to comfortably explore the vicinity.
SOU Tickets and Entry Timings:
It is advisable to book your entry tickets online to avoid queues at the ticket counters. To book your tickets, visit the website: https://www.soutickets.in/
The entry ticket for adults is Rs. 150, while for children, it is Rs. 75.
The Statue of Unity is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week, except Mondays.
There are several parks and activities that you can explore here, and each has a different entry ticket. You can purchase tickets for various attractions at the venue or park itself. If you are traveling with a group and have kids with you, it is best to decide on the activities, parks, or attractions based on their interests.
Statue of Unity: Key Attractions
From the entry point, a complimentary bus service is available to transport you closer to the Statue. Alternatively, you can choose to hop into an e-rickshaw, which is operated by women drivers (empowering women!). However, there is a nominal, fixed fee for using the e-rickshaw service.
You must leave your baggage at the drop-off point as it is not allowed beyond this point. From this location itself, you can witness the immense size of this magnificent structure. When you get up close, you can observe the statue in detail. It is a well-organized tourist destination with food courts and other amenities. Initially, we explored the Statue of Unity and its museum. If you are planning a day trip to the Statue of Unity, you can explore two or a maximum of three attractions. We visited two parks.
Statue of Unity & Museum
The Statue of Unity is dedicated to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played a significant role in India’s independence. From 1947 to 1950, he served as the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of India. This tallest statue in the world standing at 182 meters, surpasses the earlier tallest statue of Buddha at the Spring Temple in China.
They have installed airport-like escalators to assist visitors in getting closer to the statue. However, one still needs to walk quite a bit to explore the entire vicinity. Therefore, it is advisable to wear comfortable walking shoes and stay hydrated. Elevators are available to take you to the observation deck, which is located at a height of 153 meters. From up there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding area, including the Narmada River.
You do not need to purchase a separate ticket to explore the museum. At the base of the statue, at this museum you can discover the history related to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and how he made the united India dream possible. It is a must-visit gallery to delve into the life of this great freedom fighter.
Pet Zone
- Location – 3 KM From SOU
- Timings – 08.00 AM to 05:00 PM
- Tickets – Adult – ₹50, Child (3-15 Yrs.) – ₹25
- Suitable For Family with Children
My daughter has a deep love for pets, and this place was like a dream destination for her. The pet zone showcases exotic species of animals, some of which I had not seen in India before, such as Guinea pigs, hedgehogs, and raccoons. There were also other popular pets like rabbits and cats. It is a well-maintained park with a variety of pets, making it a must-visit place if you are traveling with kids.
Children Nutrition Park
- Location – 5.6 KM From SOU
- Timings – 10:30 AM to 7:30 PM
- Tickets – Adult – ₹200, Child (3-15 Yrs.) – ₹125
- Suitable For Family with Childrens
This is a must-visit place, especially if you have young children in your group. It’s a first-of-its-kind park that places a strong emphasis on the importance of good nutrition and healthy eating habits. The highlight of the visit is the toy train ride that takes you from one station to another, with each station uniquely named to highlight a specific nutrition topic.
At the first station, they emphasize the importance of consuming seasonal fruits and vegetables. There was even a game where kids could sow seeds and complete the farming process. Similarly, each station featured a captivating, animated presentation on a nutrition-related topic, followed by an interactive game and a key takeaway. I will soon share a detailed blog about the Children Nutrition Park. In the meantime, here’s a video showcasing the activities covered in the nutrition park.
Final words
A day trip to the Statue of Unity may not be sufficient to fully explore all the attractions this place has to offer. However, within a day, you can comfortably visit a few attractions. It is advisable to plan your trip in a way that allows you to attend the laser show, which is held in the evening from 06:45 PM to 07:15 PM. The Statue of Unity entry ticket includes access to the laser show. Unfortunately, we could not attend this show during our visit due to the late hour and the need to cover the 60-kilometer journey to Club Mahindra Netrang. Perhaps next time!
Some other attractions that you can choose to explore are:
- Valley of flowers
- Jungle Safari
- Butterfly garden
- Cactus garden
- Ekta Nursery
- Dino Trail
- Ekta Cruise
Next time, we plan to embark on a three-day trip to the Statue of Unity and secure accommodation nearby. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful experience to explore the Statue of Unity. It offers a plethora of attractions suitable for people of all age groups.
