Tuesday 31 October 2023

The Majestic Statue of Unity in Gujarat: A Symbol of India's Pride

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is a colossal statue of Indian statesman and independence activist Vallabhbhai Patel, located near Kevadiya in the state of Gujarat, India. The statue stands at a height of 182 meters (597 feet) and is the world's tallest statue. In this blog post, we will explore the history of the Statue of Unity, its architecture, tourism, and controversies surrounding it.

History of the Statue of Unity

The idea for the Statue of Unity was first announced in 2010 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. The statue was built as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who was instrumental in uniting India's 562 princely states to form a single Union of India. The project was completed in October 2018 and cost approximately $400 million.

Statue of Unity construction time

The construction of the Statue of Unity began in 2013, and it took 33 months to complete the project. The statue was built using approximately 25,000 tonnes of iron and 90,000 tonnes of cement. The construction process involved building a strong foundation on the banks of the Narmada river in Gujarat, India, and constructing a multi-tiered structure featuring a combination of reinforced concrete and steel framework. The statue was inaugurated in October 2018 and has since become one of India's most popular tourist destinations.

Statue of Unity architecture

The Indian sculptor Ram V. Sutar created the Statue of Unity.. The statue stands at a height of 182 meters (597 feet) and is the world's tallest statue. The statue is situated on a strong rock on the banks of the river Narmada in Gujarat, India. Situated approximately 3 kilometers downstream of the Sardar Sarovar dam, it is 90 kilometers south of Vadodara.. The base itself is a multi-tiered structure featuring a combination of reinforced concrete and steel framework.

Architecture of the Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity is situated on a strong rock on the banks of the river Narmada in Gujarat, India. It is 90 kilometers south of the city of Vadodara and around 3 kilometers downstream of the Sardar Sarovar dam. The statue stands on the Sadhu Bet hillock, connected by a 300-meter bridge, which offers access from the mainland to the statue. The base itself is a multi-tiered structure featuring a combination of reinforced concrete and steel framework.

Tourism at the Statue of Unity

The Statue of Unity has become one of India's most popular tourist destinations since its inauguration in 2018. Nearly 1.6 crore people have visited this enormous monument in the less than five years since it opened.. The statue is located near Kevadiya in Gujarat and is situated along the Narmada River close to the Sardar Sarovar Dam. Visitors can enjoy a laser light and sound show projected on the statue every evening except Monday.

Controversies Surrounding the Statue of Unity

The construction and unveiling of the Statue of Unity have been surrounded by controversy. CCritics claim that the sculpture is an obscene attempt to rewrite political history by Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).. Its completion ahead of the highly anticipated 2019 general election is also likely to score big points with right-wing Hindu voters who make up the BJP's power base. There have also been concerns about how much money was spent on building this monument. Close to the site, crowds of farmers and members of tribal communities chanted slogans and tore down posters of the statue in protest against what they see as a colossal waste of money.

In conclusion, The Statue of Unity is an impressive monument that has become one of India's most popular tourist destinations. It stands as a tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, who played an instrumental role in uniting India's princely states. While it has been surrounded by controversy since its inception, it remains an important symbol for many Indians.

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