Culture

5 Things To Know About The Statue Of Unity

India is now home to the tallest statue in the worldSardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Statue of Unity

Precious Kamei
"Every Indian should now forget that he is a Rajput, a Sikh or a Jat. He must remember that he is an Indian and he has every right in his country but with certain duties", these were the words of India's Iron Man&mdashSardar Vallabhbhai Patel. On his 143rd birth anniversary, the entire country remembers the founding father of the Republic of India. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel played a crucial role in integrating the princely states that were under the British into one united independent nation&mdashthe present-day India. In a grand gesture to mark his integral role, on this day, that is October 31, 2018, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's Statue of Unity at &nbspSadhu Bet island in Rajpipla, Gujarat. The statue currently holds the position of world's tallest statue. What better way to commemorate the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day)
Here are five facts you need to know about the tallest statue in the world.

What Is It
The Statue of Unity is 597ft tall, almost 100ft taller than China's Spring Temple Buddha, the erstwhile tallest statue (503ft). Other tallest statues in the world are Laykyun Setkyar standing Buddha in Myanmar (427ft) and Ushiku Daibutsu in Japan (394 feet) to name a few.

Where Is It
The Statue of Unity is located on the river island of Sadhu Bet near Rajpipla in Gujarat.

The Number Game
The statue was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 31, 2018 to commemorate the 143rd birth anniversary of India's first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The @INR 2,389 crore statue is made of 70,000 tonnes of cement, 18,500 tonnes of reinforcement steel, 6,000 tonnes of structural steel and 1,700 metric tonnes of bronze. The statue is surrounded by a 12 square km artificial lake.

How To Get The Best View
Get a sweeping view of the Narmada river, the dam and hilly ranges of Satpura and Vindhyachal from the top of India's lastest tourist attraction. Two passenger elevators will take you at the height of 442.9ft to a viewing chamber that can easily accommodate 200 visitors at a time. Also, from near or afar, don't forget to take a selfie

How To Reach
The state government of Gujarat is building a 3.5km long highway that will connect the statue to Kevadia town and also a 1049.8ft long bridge connecting Sadhu Bet Island to the mainland.

Remember that the tourist attraction will be open to the public from November 3. Book tickets here

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