Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is the world's tallest statue, located near Kevadia (Ekta Nagar) in the Narmada district of Gujarat. Built in honour of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Deputy Prime Minister and the "Iron Man of India," the monument stands on the banks of the Narmada River facing the beautiful Vindhya and Satpura mountain ranges. Rising to a height of 182 metres, the statue represents unity, national integration, and the contribution of Sardar Patel in bringing together the princely states of India after independence. The surrounding area has been developed as a major tourism destination featuring gardens, museums, viewing galleries, and nature attractions.

The idea of the Statue of Unity was announced in 2010 by the Government of Gujarat to honour Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's role in India's freedom movement and the integration of over 560 princely states into the Indian Union. The foundation stone was laid in 2013, and the monument was designed by renowned Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar. Constructed by Larsen & Toubro (L&T), the statue was completed in a record time of around 46 months and was inaugurated on 31 October 2018, the birth anniversary of Sardar Patel. The monument incorporates advanced engineering techniques to withstand strong winds and earthquakes. Today, the Statue of Unity is one of India's most visited landmarks, celebrating national unity while promoting tourism and development in Gujarat's Narmada region.

About 100km from Vadodara, roughly 2.5 hours by road; a dedicated Statue of Unity railway station also connects the site.