The Statue of Unity is a colossal statue of Indian leader Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India. The statue is located in the state of Gujarat, in India, and stands at a height of 182 meters (597 feet), making it the tallest statue in the world.
The statue was unveiled in 2018 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The statue was built as a tribute to Patel’s contributions to the unity and integrity of India, as well as to commemorate his leadership during the Indian independence movement.
The statue is made of bronze and is located on an island called Sadhu Bet, in the Narmada river, near the Sardar Sarovar Dam. It was designed by Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar and was constructed by Larsen & Toubro, a large Indian engineering and construction company. The statue is made up of over 100,000 pieces of bronze and was built using cutting-edge technology.
Some of the top attractions that needs to be on your count while visiting The Statue of Unity are mentioned below.
- The statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel itself, which is the tallest statue in the world at 182 meters.
- The Viewing Gallery, located at a height of 153 meters, offering panoramic views of the surrounding area.
- The Sardar Patel National Memorial, which houses a museum and exhibition on the life and legacy of Patel.
- The Valley of Flowers, a landscaped garden with various indigenous and migratory bird species.
- The Sardar Sarovar Dam, located nearby, which is the second largest dam in the world by volume.
- The Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary, located nearby, which is home to a variety of wildlife including leopards and crocodiles.
- The Sound and Light Show, which tells the story of Patel’s life and his role in the Indian freedom struggle.
The statue is not only an architectural marvel, but also serves as a tourist attraction. The statue has a viewing gallery at 153 meters, which can accommodate up to 200 visitors at a time, offering a panoramic view of the surrounding area. There is also a museum and audio-visual gallery at the base of the statue, which showcases the life and contributions of Sardar Patel.
The Statue of Unity project was initiated by the government of Gujarat, with the aim of promoting tourism in the state and also to pay a tribute to the leader. The project faced some controversies and criticism, mainly regarding the cost of construction, which was around $400 million, and the displacement of local communities due to the construction of the statue.
However, the statue has been successful in attracting a large number of tourists to the region. The statue has been visited by more than 20 million people in just two years of its opening and has become one of the major tourist attractions in India. The statue has also become a source of pride for the people of Gujarat and India, as it showcases the country’s engineering and construction capabilities to the world.
Surely The Statue of Unity is a testament to the contributions of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of the founding fathers of the Republic of India. The statue stands tall as a symbol of unity and integrity of India and showcases the country’s engineering and construction capabilities to the world. Despite initial controversies, the statue has been successful in attracting a large number of tourists to the region and has become a source of pride for the people of Gujarat and India.
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