The Statue of Unity: A Fitting Tribute to the Iron Man
Dr. Rajendra Buradikatti
Among the most important destinations I'd marked for my Gujarat tour this year was the Statue of Unity (SoU). Towering into the sky from the middle of the Narmada river, this majestic monument holds the distinguished honour of being the world’s tallest statue. Seeing it was, without a doubt, a top priority.
In fact, my
trip to Gujarat was initially supposed to begin with a visit to this iconic
spot. For anyone traveling from Karnataka, the Statue of Unity is arguably the
most significant tourist spot after Surat. I had planned to visit it first.
However, since this was a solo trip, hiring private transport would've been
financially prohibitive. I was heavily relying on public transportation—both
government and private bus services. I found out that direct bus services to
the location were only available from Ahmedabad and the nearby city of
Vadodara, and frustratingly, only on Sundays.
Since Sunday
didn't fit into my schedule, I was compelled to completely overhaul my entire
trip itinerary just three or four days before embarking on the journey. This
meant cancelling my hotel booking in Vadodara, and all subsequent rail
bookings, resulting in a minor financial loss. New bookings were made, and a
fresh plan was set.
The Journey to Ekta Nagar
My revised schedule involved traveling directly from Karnataka to Ahmedabad, staying there for a night, and then heading straight to Dwarka—the ancient, divine city on the Arabian Sea coast. From there, I visited Porbandar, the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, before returning to Ahmedabad. I spent an entire day—September 30th—exploring the major sights of Ahmedabad city. The following day, October 1st, was left open. This strategic gap was planned because the day after (October 2nd), I was scheduled to attend the Gandhi Jayanti celebrations at the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad.
Naturally, I
dedicated October 1st to a day trip from Ahmedabad to the Narmada Valley to
witness the world’s tallest statue. While exploring Ahmedabad the previous day,
I took every available moment to check for travel arrangements online. I got
lucky: there was a direct 'Janshatabdi' Express train service from Ahmedabad to
Ekta Nagar (Kevadia) via Vadodara and back! Without delay, I booked my ticket.
Simultaneously, I visited the official website of the Statue of Unity's
governing body and purchased my entry ticket.
The train
was scheduled to depart from Ahmedabad at 7:45 AM and reach Ekta Nagar in
exactly three hours. The return journey was equally late, departing at 8:45 PM
and arriving back in Ahmedabad around midnight. Due to these unconventional
timings, I always make sure to book my accommodation near the railway or bus
stations when traveling to other states, and this time was no exception, which
saved me any potential midnight hassle.
A Minor Hiccup at Ahmedabad Station
I woke up
early, quickly got ready, and had my breakfast at a nearby canteen. A small
challenge of traveling in North India is the scarcity of authentic South Indian
cuisine. While some eateries boast ‘South Meals’ signs, much like some of ours
offer ‘North Meals,’ they rarely deliver the true experience. However, this
canteen pleasantly served Idli-Vada, my favourite breakfast! Finishing up, I
walked to the Ahmedabad railway station, only to realise my train wasn't at
7:15 AM as I'd rushed to believe, but at 7:45 AM! I had clearly misread the
time.
When I have
time on hand in a new city’s railway or bus station, I never just sit around.
My habit is to stroll around, observing the station, the people, and the small,
unique details. I used the extra half-hour for this purpose. My train was
scheduled to depart from Platform 2. I made my way there and sat waiting. It
was 7:30 AM, yet the train hadn’t arrived. The Janshatabdi is a terminating
service, and common sense dictates that it should be brought to the platform at
least half an hour before departure. A doubt crept in, and I checked the
details again. I was on Platform 2A instead of Platform 2!
Anyone who travels by train knows the stress of a last-minute platform change. However, Platforms 2 and 2A were actually two technically distinct parts—the front and rear ends—of the same physical platform. This saved me the trouble of climbing and descending stairs, but such confusing systems can be a major headache for less experienced travellers. As far as I know, this practice of designating one platform as two is unique to only a few Indian railway stations, and Ahmedabad is one of them!
The train left on time, passing through Anand and Vadodara before reaching Ekta Nagar around 10:30 AM. Both Anand and Vadodara are famous among Kannadigas for different reasons. Anand is the birthplace of Amul (Anand Milk Union Limited), the dairy giant whose products are popular across India, including Karnataka. Vadodara, formerly known as Baroda, is the home of the Bank of Baroda, a bank that recently acquired our Karnataka-based Vijaya Bank and has numerous branches in the state. To commemorate these connections, I quickly stepped out at both stations to snap a couple of photos.
Arrival at Ekta Nagar: The City of Unity
Ekta Nagar
is not a naturally evolved town; it's a newly built city created specifically
for the Statue of Unity. As its name suggests, it contains little other than
the Statue, related buildings, parks, gardens, guesthouses, and a bus terminal.
Located near the Kevadia colony in the Narmada river area of Gujarat, the
railway station is the terminus for all incoming trains. As the train left
Vadodara, it became apparent that everyone on board was heading to see the
Statue of Unity.
Stepping out of the station, I saw a line of buses operated by the Statue of Unity administration, all bearing the SoU emblem. No one needed to ask for directions. Everyone simply boarded the waiting buses. As soon as a bus filled up, the driver would depart. These were all driver-only buses with no conductors, a transport system managed by the administration to ferry visitors between the various sites within Ekta Nagar. There’s no separate ticket system for these local buses; travel is complimentary with the main Ekta Nagar ticket.
The entry tickets are tiered. The price varies based on what you choose: simple gallery viewing, gallery plus Maze Garden, or packages that include accommodation. When I booked, the prices ranged from ₹450 to ₹30,000! Since I was on a day trip, I bought the basic ₹450 ticket.
Once on the
bus, the automated announcement system began broadcasting information. After a
warm welcome to Ekta Nagar, the first piece of information was a relief: the
buses operated in a loop, starting from the railway station and eventually
returning to it. This immediately eased my worry about how I would get back for
my late-night train.
The bus
proceeded, announcing and stopping at various tourist spots along the route.
Passengers could alight to see a site and re-board after their visit.
Eventually, the bus dropped me at the main complex of the Statue of Unity. The
organisation here, including vehicle parking and passenger movement, was
remarkably seamless. Everyone alighted at a single point, but buses departed
from two or three distinct numbered bays, ensuring no confusion. Information
centres were also conspicuously located for any queries.
I
encountered a minor issue upon arrival. Entry into the Observation Gallery
(located inside the Statue’s base) is strictly regulated for security, with
specific rules on what can be carried inside. Moreover, entry is scheduled in
two-hour slots (e.g., 10 AM to 12 PM, 12 PM to 2 PM, 2 PM to 4 PM), which must
be selected during the ticket booking. Since this was my first visit from
Ahmedabad, I wasn't certain of the travel time, so to avoid any delay-related
trouble, I had booked the later slot of 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM.
I arrived at
11:30 AM, leaving me with a two-and-a-half-hour wait. I wanted to see if I
could enter during the earlier 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM slot. I approached the young
woman at the information centre. She informed me I couldn't enter early.
"Instead," she suggested, "visit the Sardar Sarovar Dam, the
Maze Garden, and the Valley of Flowers nearby. You should be back by 1:30 PM,
and your slot will be ready." Since those were places I intended to see
anyway, I took her advice and headed to the indicated bus stop. An arriving bus
took me to my first stop within minutes.
The Mighty Sardar Sarovar Dam and the Valley of Flowers
The bus
dropped me at the 'Valley of Flowers', which was a short distance away. Three
or four other attractions were located nearby. I decided to start with the
Valley of Flowers but as soon as I entered, a path on the left led towards the
viewing point for the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The dam looked stunning from a
distance. I decided to see it first.
The Sardar
Sarovar Dam is one of India's most significant water projects. Built on the
Narmada River, it's an important dam in India due to its vast length, height,
and catchment area. It is, quite literally, the lifeline for countless families
and the agriculture of two major states, Gujarat and Rajasthan, providing
essential drinking and irrigation water. This dream project of Sardar
Vallabhbhai Patel was rightfully named after him, a fitting honour for the
leader.
The Statue
of Unity is strategically placed facing the dam, in the middle of the river.
This location might have been chosen, in part, to prevent dangerous,
uncontrolled water flow, should the river water ever surge. From this
viewpoint, the sight is truly spectacular: the Sardar Sarovar Dam on one side,
flanked by the Vindhya mountain ranges, and the Western Ghats on the other. In
the nearby forests, large boards pointed to the Cactus Garden and Butterfly
Garden, all visible from the riverbank. After soaking in the panoramic view, I
moved on to the Valley of Flowers.
This garden
is home to hundreds of species of flowering plants, including shrubs, bushes,
and climbers. It seemed they had attempted the ambitious feat of cultivating
flowers from almost every part of the country. Signboards accompanying the
plants listed their names along with their scientific names in English, Hindi,
and Gujarati. Strolling through the park, reading the labels, and admiring the
colourful blooms was a truly refreshing experience.
The design
of this vast park, featuring various flora, is very appealing. There are
beautiful walkways, stone benches for resting, and even small shaded cottages.
Crucially, they’ve set up dedicated selfie points. From one spot, you can
capture a photo with the magnificent Statue of Unity towering in the distance,
framed by the beautiful hills and the pristine Narmada River behind you.
Another
dedicated photo spot features a large, attractive concrete wall with the
slogan: "I am in the Valley of Flowers in Gujarat, India." It's a
great spot to prove your location! I took a couple of photos at both spots
before heading out. Nearby is the Glow Garden, which features artificial
flowers made of cement structures. It supposedly hosts a light and sound show
in the evening, which I noticed was timed to end before the Laser Show at the
Statue of Unity.
The Statue
of Unity's Laser Show starts at 7:30 PM daily. It felt like the Glow Garden's
show was scheduled for 6:30 PM to allow visitors enough time to walk over to
the main site for the main event. Adjacent to the Valley of Flowers is the Maze
Garden. When I presented my basic ticket there, I was informed, "Your
ticket is the basic one and does not include entry here. You'll need to pay
₹100 per person if you wish to enter." As it was already afternoon, I
decided to skip it for the sake of time, not money, and headed back to the bus
stop. In seven or eight minutes, the bus had returned me to the main Statue of
Unity complex.
Inside the Statue's Gallery
I approached
the entry gate for the ground-floor gallery half an hour before my scheduled
slot. The security personnel waved me through. Although visitors are informed
during booking about what can and cannot be carried inside, some invariably
bring prohibited items, causing delays for everyone else during the security
check. Forbidden items include weapons like knives or guns, as well as food
packets.
I witnessed a couple being told they couldn't take their child’s packet of crunchy snacks inside. It was a packet worth maybe twenty rupees, and when they realised the security guards were about to toss it into the bin, the parents quickly opened it and began stuffing the snacks into the child's mouth right there. The child had probably just eaten something and wasn't interested, shaking their head and keeping their mouth shut. But the parents forcibly pried open the child's lips and pushed the snack in. Their focus seemed to be on avoiding the loss of twenty rupees rather than the child's comfort or health. It was as if they considered the child's stomach to be a convenient 'dustbin' at that moment!
Moving past them, I went through the check. I had already deposited my small bag at the designated locker outside. The security personnel asked me to leave my water bottle behind, as drinking water facilities were available everywhere inside. I walked on. I'd expected mobile phones to be prohibited, but they weren't, allowing me to take some important historical photos inside without trouble.
Upon
entering the SoU premises, several photo points have been established. There
are artificial waterfalls and backdrops featuring slogans like 'Ek Bharat
Shreshtha Bharat' (One India, Great India), perfect for taking souvenir photos.
After a quick stop at the washrooms, I had to walk about 100 to 150 meters to
reach the base of the Statue. For those unable to walk, free electric
auto-rickshaws constantly ferry people back and forth, covering the distance in
just a couple of minutes.
The Iron Man of India
The Statue
of Unity is a true-to-life representation of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, one of
the most significant figures in modern Indian history. A freedom fighter, he
was independent India's first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister. A son of
Gujarat, Patel played the most crucial role in the integration of India. When
the British left, the country was comprised of over five hundred princely
states. The credit for uniting all of them into the Union of India, thereby
forming the giant nation we know today, goes entirely to Patel.
This
Herculean task was anything but easy. Patel employed political astuteness,
using both diplomacy (persuasion) wherever possible and force where necessary,
to ensure all these states merged with India. This is why he is rightfully
called the Iron Man of India.
Driven by
the ambition to permanently cement the memory of this great man in the public
consciousness, the Gujarat government, under the leadership of the then Chief
Minister Narendra Modi, announced the Statue of Unity project in 2010.
Construction began in 2013 and, after five continuous years of work, the
colossal statue was inaugurated on Patel’s birth anniversary, October 31, 2018.
The inauguration was performed by Narendra Modi, who had envisioned the project
as Chief Minister and was now dedicating it to the nation as its Prime
Minister.
A Monument to History and Engineering
The Statue
of Unity stands at a staggering height of 182 meters, officially making it the
world’s tallest statue. It surpasses Russia’s The Motherland Calls (91m), the
US’s Statue of Liberty (93m), China’s Guan Yin of Nanshan (108m), and even the
Spring Temple Buddha in China (128m), which previously held the record.
The pedestal
(or Basement) of the Statue itself is a massive structure, spanning three to
four storeys, with a lift system to take visitors up to the feet of the Statue.
This gives you an idea of the sheer scale of the monument. Interestingly,
farmers across Gujarat generously donated their used, unusable iron tools to be
melted and incorporated into the foundation of this base. The inner workings of
this giant foundation, showcasing the engineering marvel, are shown to visitors
via the lifts.
The basement
is incredibly spacious and houses a gigantic gallery with various sections.
While Patel's enormous statue stands outside, reaching for the sky, the gallery
inside features a smaller bronze replica (still ten feet tall) and a massive
bust of his head, perfect for tourist photos. Various rooms in the gallery
highlight the significance of India’s integration and Patel’s pivotal role in
that process.
One room is
a replica of Patel’s library. Another features giant photographs of newspaper
clippings from that era, allowing visitors to read key headlines about the
nation-building process. One room is dedicated to the Narmada project,
featuring a large screen that continuously plays a documentary in Hindi and
English detailing the project's conception, implementation, and benefits. I
spent a good amount of time watching this. Another screen displays highlights
from Patel's life.
The pillars
throughout the area are adorned with murals depicting major milestones in
nation-building and various aspects of Gujarati life. The most intriguing
piece, which I hadn’t seen in any other museum in the country, was a large
group photograph. It was a picture of a meeting called by Patel immediately
after Independence to convince the rulers of the various princely states to
merge their kingdoms into the newly formed Indian Union.
It was a
rare picture of many Indian rulers gathered in one place. Scanning the faces, I
spotted B. D. Jatti, the ruler of Jamkhandi from the Karnataka region. However,
the Maharajas of Mysore were conspicuously absent! Most people know why: the
Mysore rulers, who initially agreed to join the Union, later reversed their
decision. This led to a Praja Pratinidhi Sarkar (People’s Representative
Government) struggle by freedom fighters to ensure Mysore finally acceded to
the Union. Interestingly, however, I did find a list detailing the high-level
committee of seven or eight native rulers Patel had formed to strategise the
integration of the princely states, and Jayachamarajendra Wadiyar, the Maharaja
of Mysore, was on that list.
Unity Pledge and Entertainment
On the way
out, I noticed a setup for a digital quiz, which was fun for children. It
offered multiple-choice questions related to India’s integration, allowing kids
to test their knowledge and enjoy the entertainment. This feature is a great
addition for families. In addition to this, there is also a system where adults
can voluntarily take a pledge in the presence of this great man—a pledge for
the nation's unity and integrity, the protection of its flora and fauna, the
rule of law, and the respect of all religions equally.
The computer setup requires your name and address, after which you select your preferred pledge. The moment you take the pledge, it appears instantly on a large screen with your name, city, and state. The screen displays about twenty to twenty-five pledges before the older ones scroll away. I took a pledge to respect all religions and treat them equally, and another to honour the Constitution and the legal system.
While I was
taking my pledge, two college girls from Andhra Pradesh, curious about what I
was doing, came up to me. I explained the process. When one of them tried to
register her details, the computer rejected them. She asked me why. I told her,
"You must not have turned eighteen yet. According to the Indian
Constitution, any pledge you take is not official until you are of age."
"Oh, really?" she said, looking disappointed. Seeing her crestfallen
face, I suggested she modify her date of birth slightly, not for official
validation, but just for the fun of seeing her pledge appear on the screen. She
happily did so, recorded her pledge, and thanked me gratefully before moving on
with her friend.
The Feet of the Giant
While
exploring the vast gallery in the basement is one experience, another
spectacular one is climbing the stairs to reach the feet of Sardar Patel's
colossal statue. The height one covers in the lifts is what must be ascended
via the stairs. Although escalators are installed alongside the stairs, they
are designated only for the physically challenged and the elderly, and security
personnel monitor their use. However, since the crowd was thin that day, those
of us who weren't challenged were also able to use the escalators both up and
down.
Riding the
escalator, I finally reached the very top, arriving at Sardar Patel's feet. To
reach just his feet required ascending this high! There was no chance of
reaching his head. Standing at his feet and looking up at his face made me feel
so small that I felt my cap might fall off! There is enough space between his
two giant feet for a bus to pass through.
Thus, I
couldn't even reach his feet to offer a proper Namaskar! Standing there,
looking around, the view was a feast for the eyes: the smoothly flowing
Narmada, the vast expanse of hills surrounding it, and the prominent sight of
the Sardar Sarovar Dam. It was only after drinking in the view that I looked at
my watch. It was 4:00 PM. I hadn't realised I'd spent two-and-a-half hours
inside. I descended, found a shaded spot under a small, beautiful tree, and
rested on one of the stone benches. After recovering, I took a silent electric
auto-rickshaw to the exit of the gallery area and stepped out.
Waiting for the Laser Show
Outside, I
retrieved my bag from the locker. Having had only a small, unsatisfactory
breakfast at the Ahmedabad station and no lunch, I was famished. I looked
around for food. While the area does have provisions for food, all the hotels
and main food courts are located three to four kilometres away. The authorities
have strictly prohibited the setting up of any permanent shops near the Statue
itself—likely to prevent a 'fair-like' atmosphere and to maintain environmental
cleanliness. However, they've allowed three or four vendors to set up mobile
food trucks near the bus stop.
I went over
to check what was available. Fortunately, they had items like Fried Rice. I
ordered a plate, ate it, drank some water, and felt relieved. At this point, I
felt I had covered all the must-see spots. There were botanical gardens,
children’s play areas, and a full food court a few kilometres away, but I had
no interest in visiting them. Exhausted from walking all day, I decided to
simply wait for the special Sound and Light Laser Show scheduled for the
evening.
I sat down,
only to learn the show was scheduled for 6:00 PM, meaning I had a two-hour
wait. I sat and waited. Six o’clock passed, then 6:30 PM. It still hadn't
started. I began to feel restless and thought of heading back to Ekta Nagar,
but what would I do there? The return train wasn't until 8:45 PM. I passed the
time by restlessly shifting chairs and watching the sunset in the west. Finally,
unable to bear it, I checked the information centre. They confirmed the show
started at 7:30 PM. Disappointed, I wandered around again.
The show
starting at 7:30 PM meant it might end around 8:30 PM. The fear of missing the
bus loomed. A senior person from Mangalore I’d met in Ahmedabad the previous
day had warned me: "Do not miss the bus at Ekta Nagar. Don't get lost in
the laser show. The moment it ends, everyone will rush for the buses. If you
miss it, there is no other accommodation nearby." I decided that as soon
as the show started, I would watch it for a token five or ten minutes and then
quickly head to the bus.
As the show
began, people settled into the thousands of chairs laid out in the spacious
field. I stood near the bus stop and watched the show from there. The massive
structure of Sardar Patel's statue served as the screen for the projection. The
documentary, which highlighted Patel's life and achievements, was projected
onto the colossal statue using a special laser setup. The interplay of light
and shadow created a thrilling spectacle against the dark sky. The display was
perfectly visible from any of the seats. As a Kannada epic once asked,
"Why the push and shove to see the sky?" Similarly, with a statue
this tall, you don't have to struggle to see it; you’d have to try hard not to
see it!
After
watching for a while, I boarded one of the waiting buses and secured my seat.
One by one, other train travellers followed suit. The show hadn't ended, but
seeing the bus full, the driver started the engine. As planned, the bus circled
through the various parts of Ekta Nagar, dropping off and picking up passengers
before finally depositing us at the Ekta Nagar railway station. The train was
ready and waiting, though the departure was still half an hour away. Since
tickets were pre-booked, there was no rush for seats. I had a quick snack
available on the platform to mark a symbolic dinner before boarding. As the
train sped towards Ahmedabad, the day's events at Ekta Nagar played out in my
mind, leaving me with a profound sense of satisfaction from a trip well spent.
Dr. Rajendra Buradikatti
October 10, 2025
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