The Statue of Unity is located on the banks of the Narmada River in the state of Gujarat, India. It stands at the height of 182 meters (597 feet), which is considered one of the tallest statues in the world, and breaks the previous record of China’s Spring Temple. It finally became the tallest statue in the world on October 31, 2018.
The idea of a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel was first envisioned in 2010 by the Gujarat Chief Minister, Narendra Damodara Modi, currently the Prime Minister of India. The statue was built in honor of Patel’s contribution to India’s freedom struggle and the merging of the 562 princely states into the Indian Union after the independence of India.
The project was completed by the state-owned public sector company Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Limited (SSNNL) and was funded through a special-purpose vehicle named the Statue of Unity Trust. Costing nearly around 3000 crores rupees/USD $400 to 450 Million /Euro 305 to 400 Million.
The statue was drawn by Indian famous sculptor Ram V. Sutar, who is also famous for designing the Mahatma Gandhi statue in the Indian Parliament. The statue’s construction was transferred out by a corporation of Indian engineering and construction companies.
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Other than the Statue of Unity, the project also contains a museum and audio-visual gallery that exhibits Patel’s life and achievements, and research center for scholars. Its viewing gallery at the statue’s center level provides all-around views of the surrounding landscape.
Despite the criticism, the statue shows India’s unity and stands as witness to the country’s smart engineering work and architectural strength. It inspires wonder and appreciation in all those who want to visit it and is sure to remain a memorable icon for the next generation.
The statue has become a top tourist attraction and attracts thousands of visitors every day. It has also been widely condemned by some sections of society who feel that the huge amount of money spent on the project could have been used for other social and economic development programs.
Other Information
Height: The height of the Statue is 182 meters
Cost: Spend around 3000 crores rupees/USD $400
Days Of Trip: You should keep 2-3 days for Statue of Unity travel.
Entry Fees:
| For Adults | INR 120+INR 30(Bus Charge) |
| For Children aged 3 years to 15 years | INR 60+INR 30(Bus charge) |
| Below 3 years of age | Completely Free |
Best Time to Visit: Cooler Months of October to February.
The Site opens at 8 AM to 6 PM from Tuesday to Sunday throughout the year.
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