Statue of Unity | Top 5 Places to Visit in One Day

Statue of Unity | Top 5 Places to Visit in One Day

India is a country with an abundance of historical monuments, world heritage sites, world-famous beaches, forts, and more. In recent years, India has earned the distinction of being the top country to build the world's tallest statue. You may be familiar with the Spring Temple Buddha in China, which stood at 128 meters and was the world's tallest statue until 2016. However, India's Statue of Unity has since broken that record, standing at an impressive height of 182 meters (600 feet). The statue is situated on the edge of the Narmada River in the Narmada district of Gujarat state. It is now a major tourist attraction in Gujarat, India, drawing visitors worldwide to witness its magnificent architecture.

About the Statue of Unity 

The Statue of Unity is a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of India's leaders who fought for freedom. The statue is a patriotic symbol of the legacy of a man who dedicated his entire life to the struggle for freedom. As a mark of respect, the government built the statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai and named it the Statue of Unity. He was the first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister of independent India. It took almost four years to build the Statue of Unity, which faces the Sarovar Dam.

How to Reach the Statue of Unity?

By Air

The closest international airports to the Statue of Unity are the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, located 200 km in the Ahmedabad district, and the Vadodara International Airport, 100 km away. Once you arrive at either airport, you can take a private taxi or book a cab to reach the Statue of Unity directly. Your E-bus service will take you to the Statue of Unity from the main parking area.

By Train

There is no direct train available to reach the Statue of Unity. The major railway stations nearest to the statue are Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Surat, where most of the express trains halt. One can try to reach the Rajpipla station from any of these stations by taking a local train. The Rajpipla station is 27 km away from the statue. Once you reach Rajpipla, you can either opt for a private cab or take a local bus to reach the Statue of Unity.

By Road

The statue is about 100 km from Vadodara, 200 km from Ahmedabad, and 400 km from Mumbai. Driving on the state highway will take you to Kevadiya town of Narmada district of Gujarat state. The statue is further 4 km from there and the only way to reach this 4 km way is by government E bus service which runs every 5 minutes from the parking area.

My Experience of Visiting the Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is a vast area on the edge of the Narmada River, facing the Sarovar Dam. There are many tourist attractions to explore in one or two days. I recently visited the Statue of Unity for a day, but it's a great place to spend two days, especially if you're looking for a tent stay. Although some people prefer to visit the Statue of Unity for one day, there are still many places you can see in just a day. Let me tell you, my friends, about the best places to visit in one or two days.

Top 5 Places to Visit at Statue of Unity in One Day Time

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Statue

A Statue of Unity is a place dedicated to the Indian leader, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It is a magnificent place to visit that cannot be expressed in words until you experience it yourself. On one side, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Narmada River, and on the other side, you will find a clean and open area of the Statue of Unity. The main statute is divided into different zones as per the ticket category. The entry-level ticket will take you through a small exhibition center inside the statue, and you can go up to the foot of the statue. The next zone is open only for those who have advanced tickets to the Statue of Unity and it will take you to the chest of the statue, offering a spectacular view of the surrounding area of the Sarovar Dam. There is a lift placed inside the statue that takes you to the viewing gallery placed on the 45th floor only when you have an advance entry ticket to the viewing gallery. This monument is a national achievement and a must-visit destination that you should not miss out on. There is a laser show in the evening from 7:00 pm to 7:45 pm every day.

The world's largest statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel

Entry Ticket of the Statue of Unity

Entry level ticket-150 INR for adults and 90 INR for children aged 3 to 15 years

Advance ticket for viewing gallery- 380 INR for adults and 230 INR for children

Statue of Unity Jungle Safari

Many people who cannot visit the open national park opt to go to the zoo instead. Unfortunately, I was unable to fulfill my wish of visiting the national park. However, I highly recommend the jungle safari at the Statue of Unity, where you can observe various Australian and African animals such as Toucans, Emus, Llamas, Hippopotamuses, African Cats, Bengal Tigers, Lions, Leopards, and a variety of snakes. Once you are done with the wild animals you can take a walk through the walkway and enjoy seeing colorful birds like Red Jungle Fowl, Ibis, Parrot, Partridge, and many more. You should start your day at the zoo, as it takes about 2 hours to explore the entire area. Be sure to book your jungle safari in advance to make the most of your visit.

The Jungle Safari entry fee is 200 INR for adults and 125 INR for children.

Entrance to Statue of Unity Jungle Safari

Cobra at Statue of Unity Forest

A variety of Australian animals are found here

Sardar Sarovar Dam 

Sarovar Dam, located on the Narmada River and close to the Statue of Unity, is a concrete gravity dam that offers breathtaking views. The best spot to catch a glimpse of the dam is from the Statue Point of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Although it's the second largest dam in the world, you might not see water flowing from it during your visit. However, you can still experience its grandeur in the evenings through a stunning laser show. The dam is often referred to as the lifeline of Gujarat and visitors can enter for free.

Sarovar Dam evening view with River Narmada

Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers near the Statue of Unity is located just under 1 km away from the main statue. You can easily travel to this spot using the electric bus of the SOU. Spread across 24 acres, the main area of the Statue of Unity offers a wide variety of beautiful flowers, with more than 300 types to discover. The area is a perfect blend of flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers, and creepers. The picturesque site and the enthralling view of the Statue of Unity certainly captivate visitors. The Valley of Flowers is located next to the Unity Glow Garden, and you can also enjoy a stunning sunset view from this spot. It will hardly take half an hour and 45 minutes to explore the surroundings of it. Once you are done with it you can move to Unity Glow Garden.

Sunset view from Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers

Unity Glow Garden

The place is absolutely wonderful, especially if you have kids with you or you are feeling nostalgic. It's a beautiful park with a variety of LED lights in different forms, which makes it perfect for night photography. The park has unique illuminated replicas of various animals, plants, and other objects, making it a must-visit location for photography enthusiasts. You can combine this visit with the laser light show of the SOU to make it an even more enjoyable experience. Please note that the ticket price is 100 INR per person.

Unity Glow Garden of Statue of Unity

I would recommend starting your day early at the Jungle Safari so that you can catch a glimpse of the major wild animals when they are out of their enclosures. In the afternoon, you can explore the Sarovar Dam and the Valley of Flowers. Once it's time for sunset, head straight to the Sardar Vallabhbhai Statue. Attend the laser show at SOU and then visit the Unity Glow Garden. This way, you can explore the Statue of Unity in just one day.

Stay and Food Around the Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is a popular tourist attraction in Gujarat state, drawing around 50 lakh visitors every year. There are numerous accommodation options available for those planning a visit, including the Tent City of the Statue of Unity, which is located 4 km away from the main statue. In addition to the tents, there are also many hotels available in the Kevadia area, ranging from budget-friendly to high-end. For those looking for a budget stay, BRG stay is an excellent option, although booking must be done in advance due to its popularity.

If you book a package for the Statue of Unity, your food and stay will be included in the same package. However, if you prefer to plan your own stay, it's not difficult to do so. You can book your accommodation online via the Statue of Unity website. 

Regarding dining options, many hotels within the Statue of Unity area serve snacks, Italian cuisine, and proper lunch. There are also stations where you can refill your water bottles, but it's important to carry your own water bottle when you visit the Jungle Safari of SOU.

Major Things to Keep in Mind While Visiting the Statue of Unity

• Book your SOU ticket online including Jungle Safari, Stay, and other places so that you can save time on offline tickets
• If you have budget constraints then recommend booking an entry-level ticket where you can also explore major places and an electric vehicle ticket is included.
• Bags and foods are not allowed inside Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Statue rather you keep your bags in a locker room available just outside of the Statue entry point and service is totally free.
• Foods here are quite costly so better to carry your own snacks and energy bar in your bag.
• There are free electric bus services inside SOU to reach from one place to another.
• Camera charges are applicable when you are inside the Jungle area.
• The Statue of Unity is closed every Monday
• Do not litter the area around SOU.