Top 10 Things to Do at the Statue of Unity
The Statue of Unity in Gujarat, India is a popular tourist attraction known for its iconic statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the first Deputy Prime Minister of India. However, there is more to the area than just the statue. The surrounding region is filled with natural beauty, historical sites, and cultural experiences. In this blog, we will explore the top things to do near the Statue of Unity and make the most of your visit to the area.
Table of Contents
Quick Snipet of the blog
📍SoU Viewing Gallery ₹380/Ticket: This is the highest viewing gallery in the world, located at a height of 153 meters above the ground. From here, you can enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
📍Sardar Sarovar Dam (Included in Basic entry ticket ₹150): The dam is one of the largest in the world and is a major source of water and electricity in the region.
📍Valley of Flowers (Included in Basic entry ticket ₹150): This is a beautiful garden with a variety of flowers and plants. It’s a great place to take a stroll and relax amidst nature.
📍Laser Light and Sound Show (Included in Basic entry ticket ₹150): This is a unique show that tells the story of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s life and his contributions to the nation.
📍Adventure Sports: The Statue of Unity offers a range of adventure activities like rafting ₹1,000, boating₹413, Cycling ₹250 and jungle safari ₹200. These activities are perfect for those who want to add some excitement to their trip.
📍Museum & Audio-Visual Gallery (Included in Basic entry ticket ₹150): The Statue of Unity Museum and Audio-Visual Gallery showcase the life and achievements of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel through interactive exhibits and displays.
📍Other Activites if you have more time in hand- Pets Zone ₹50, Eco Tourism Bus Tour ₹400, Arogya Van ₹50, Ekta Nursery ₹50, Cactus & Butterfly Garden ₹60, Vishwa Van ₹30, Unity Glow Garden ₹100.
📍You can also opt for Ekta Cruise ₹413 The boat has lower deck for seating along with food and souvenir shop. Ekta Dinner Cruise ₹1416 includes exciting games, tons of dancing, and delicious food and drink
These are just a few of the many things you can see and do at the Statue of Unity. Plan your trip today and make unforgettable memories!
About Statue of Unity, Gujarat
The Statue of Unity is a magnificent monument located in the Indian state of Gujarat. It is the world’s tallest statue and a symbol of unity, strength, and pride for the country. If you are planning a trip to this magnificent landmark, you may be wondering what else there is to do in the area. Fortunately, there are plenty of exciting activities and attractions that you can enjoy in and around the Statue of Unity. In this blog, I will take you through some of the best things to do and see, from exploring the wildlife sanctuary to taking a helicopter ride around the statue. So, whether you’re an adventure seeker, a history buff, or a nature lover, there’s something for everyone in this beautiful region. Let’s get started!
Tips for Visiting the Statue of Unity
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, read on to discover how to plan your visit to this iconic landmark.
Things to do in Statue of Unity, Gujarat
1. Visit the Statue of Unity:
The statue itself is a must-visit attraction. The Statue of Unity is not only a symbol of Sardar Patel’s legacy, but also a testament to India’s unity and diversity. The statue itself is an engineering marvel, with state-of-the-art technology used in its construction. The site has become a major tourist attraction in India, drawing visitors from all over the world.
Apart from the ground activities, the museum and audio-video gallery at the Statue of Unity offer visitors a glimpse into the life and times of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
The exhibition hall covers an area of 4647 square meters and showcases various aspects of his life and contribution to India’s freedom movement.
The audio-visual show is another popular attraction at the museum, which provides a comprehensive overview of the merging of the princely states, the life and culture of tribal people, and the Sardar Sarovar dam.
The viewing gallery, located inside the statue at a height of 135 meters, is another must-visit attraction. The high-speed lift can accommodate up to 200 people at a time and takes visitors to the gallery premises. From the gallery, visitors can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding hills, dam, river, and environment.
2. Sardar Sarovar Dam
The Sardar Sarovar Dam is located near the Statue of Unity and is one of the largest dams in the world. Visitors can take a tour of the dam and learn about its history and significance.
The Sardar Sarovar Dam View Point is one of the most popular attractions at the Statue of Unity complex. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the world’s largest concrete gravity dam, which stands 163 meters high and is 1.2 kilometers long from the deepest foundation level.
The dam features 30 radial gates, each weighing about 450 tonnes per gate. Of the 30 gates, 23 are spillway gates measuring 60 x 55 feet, while the remaining seven are auxiliary gates measuring 60 x 60 feet.
The view point offers visitors an up-close look at this engineering marvel, you can opt for an electric rickshaw which will drop you at the sight for 50Rs. for 3 people. The entry to this is FREE and included in your entry ticket.
3. Jungle Safari and Pets Zone
The Jungle Safari at the Sardar Patel Zoological Park near the Statue of Unity is an exciting activity for wildlife enthusiasts. The safari takes visitors on a tour of the park’s natural habitats, where they can see a variety of animals in their natural environment. The pet zone is a house for different exotic species of animals including Macaw, Rabbits, Guinea Pig, Miniature Pony, Tukey and Geese etc. The petting zone has been provided with exquisite landscaping which increases the visitors’ experience.
The Sardar Patel Zoological Park is spread over an area of 375 hectares and is home to over 170 species of animals. Visitors can spot animals like lions, tigers, bears, deer, and antelopes on the jungle safari.
The Jungle Safari is a must-visit attraction for visitors to the Statue of Unity complex who want to explore the natural beauty and wildlife of the surrounding area. Would strongly recommend if you have kids along or else you can skip this.
| Adult | ₹ 200/Ticket | |||
| Child (3 to 15) | ₹ 125/Ticket |
4. Light and Sound Show
The Statue of Unity hosts a daily light and sound show that showcases the life of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India’s first Deputy Prime Minister.
The light and sound show at the Statue of Unity is a mesmerizing experience that takes place every evening after sunset. The show is a tribute to the life and legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and highlights his contribution to the country’s freedom struggle and the unification of India. The show combines colorful lighting effects with an inspiring narration and an uplifting music score to create an unforgettable experience.
The show is held at the banks of the Narmada River, with the Statue of Unity in the background, providing a stunning visual setting.
The show starts can be seen from two points:
1- SoU campus: which is near to the statue and offer good visibility
2- Helipad Ground: which is far from the statue, you can opt for the shuttle service to reach the ground
While booking make sure to pick the SoU campus for this show, you will get the option to pick basis the availability.
5. River Rafting
River rafting at Khalwani is one of the popular adventure activities in the vicinity of the Statue of Unity. The rafting activity operates from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm and allows visitors to experience the thrill of rafting on the Narmada River. The minimum age eligibility for admission is 14 years, and the maximum age limit is 55 years. Visitors can avail of the pickup and drop facility from the Shrestha Bharat Bhavan parking area. The rafting experience is guided by professionals, and all safety measures are taken to ensure the safety of the visitors.
The route of the ride is about 5kms and takes almost two hours to cover from Godbole gate to Surya Kund, Khalvani. One boat can carry around 6 people and the price per person is 1000 INR.
6. Helicopter Ride:
The helicopter ride is undoubtedly one of the most exciting experiences that you can have while visiting the Statue of Unity. It offers a unique perspective of the surrounding landscape and allows visitors to witness the grandeur of the statue and the Sardar Sarovar Dam from a bird’s-eye view.
While the ride is short, it is well worth the price, and the memories that you’ll take with you will last a lifetime. However, it’s important to note that the tickets for the helicopter ride cannot be purchased online, so visitors will have to buy them from the site.
The helicopter accommodates 5 to 7 person and gives you a ride of 10 minutes. The booking charges are INR 2,900 for one helicopter ride. You can’t take the tickets of the helicopter ride online. It means visitors have to buy tickets from the sites.
7. Cactus Garden
The Cactus Garden is located near the Statue of Unity and has a wide variety of cacti and succulents from around the world. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through the garden and enjoy the beautiful plants.
Opening Hours for the Garden is between 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. Cactus Garden located on the opposite end of SOU on the bank of river Narmada. There are more than 450 species of Cacti and succulents from 17different countries have been planted here. Cactus dome is one of the largest dome in India which contains 836Sq meter area. Apart from Cactus Nursery, here there is a View Point/Selfie point is situated along with a shop of Medicinal products of Cactus and Souvenir is also available.
| Entry Ticket: ₹ 60/ pp |
8. Ekta Cruise / Dinner
The Ekta Cruise is a boat ride on the Narmada River that offers scenic views of the Statue of Unity and the surrounding landscape. Visitors can enjoy a meal on the boat while taking in the sights. You can also opt for Ekta Dinner Cruise.
The cruise service to the Statue of Unity through the Narmada River is a great way to enjoy the scenic beauty and view of various attractions along the river. The cruise provides a unique view of the Narmada Ghat, Shulpaneshwar Temple, Sardar Sarovar Dam, and an unobstructed view of the world’s tallest statue.
The cruise also offers Indian cultural programs and fun activities onboard to keep the tourists engaged. Tourists can buy snacks and beverages (hot and cold) from the Alpaahaar food shop by Hotel Ramada Encore. Additionally, tasty lunch packs are available on board.
The reporting time for the Ekta cruise is the given slot time, and the trip time is 40 minutes one way. The pick-up and drop point is behind Shreshta Bharat Bhavan Ticket Counter (Near Amul Foodland Area).
Cost for Cruise and Dinner Cruise:
Adult: ₹ 413/pp | ₹ 1416/pp |
| Children: ₹ 207/pp | ₹ 708/pp |
9. Narmada Maha Aarti Yajman
One can make a booking to become the Yajman of one Maha Aarti, which includes a Sankalp ceremony before the Aarti and a designated seat behind the Pujari who will perform the Aarti. Additionally, the Yajman will receive Prasadam as well.
| Price: ₹ 1100/pp |
10. Adventure Sports Activities
The Statue of Unity offers a range of adventure activities like boating ₹413, Cycling ₹250. These activities are perfect for those who want to add some excitement to their trip.
Sardar Sarovar Nauka Vihar (Boating): Enjoy the Natural Beauty of the Shoolpaneshwar Wildlife Sanctuary on the Upstream side of the Sardar Sarovar Dam. it’s a 45-minute ride in Dyke-3 (Panchmuli lake) and Dyke-4 (Khalwani lake) of Sardar Sarovar.
River Front Cycling: Operational Hours – 06:00 am to 08:00 pm. (choose your 02 hour slot) This Cycling Tour starts from – Valley of Flower Parking area. It is a family-friendly guided cycle tour that includes small frame kids cycle and the regular cycles for adventure enthusiasts.
Eco Tourism Bus Tour: This ideally includes the above sights like
- Khalwani Eco-Tourism Campsite
- Aarogya van
- Ekta Nursery
- Cactus & Butterfly Garden
- Zarvani Water fall
- Vishwa Van
- Dino Trail
Entry Tickets: Adult – ₹400/Ticket (16 Year and Above) | Child – ₹350/Ticket (03 to 15 Year)
