Statue of Unity (Kevadia)

Photos

Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.

Best time to go

Sights and activities

Getting there

By bus

GSRTC buses run from Ahmedabad (Ranip), Vadodara, Surat and Rajkot to the Statue of Unity bus stop at Navagam, about 1.3 km from the statue. By road it is about 90 km from Vadodara and 200 km from Ahmedabad via NH48. Private cars must park outside the inner zone and use the free bus.

By train

Ekta Nagar station (EKNR), formerly Kevadia, is about 5 km from the statue. It has direct trains from Ahmedabad, Mumbai (Dadar) and Delhi (Hazrat Nizamuddin, about twice a week), plus links from Vadodara.

By air

Vadodara airport (Harni) is the nearest, about 90 km away and about 1.5 to 2 hours by road. Ahmedabad and Surat airports are further, at about 200 km and 156 km.

Where to base yourself

Stay in Ekta Nagar itself, at the tent cities, Shresth Bharat Bhavan or a budget hotel near Arogya Van, so you can use the campus buses early and late.

Getting around

• Free Volvo buses run about every 15 minutes between the campus attractions for anyone holding a Statue of Unity ticket.
• Pink electric autos driven by local women run at fixed fares from the Bus Bay, Valley of Flowers and Shresth Bharat Bhavan stops.
• The Ekta Nagar circular route bus costs 50 and does a 45 km sightseeing loop in about 2 hours, without stops to get off.
• The Khalwani to Zarwani eco-tourism bus costs 300 (child 250), runs every 30 minutes, and lets you hop on and off.
• Riverfront cycles cost 300 for 2 hours, or 400 for a tandem or electric cycle.
• A taxi from Vadodara costs about 2,200 to 2,800 one way for a sedan, or about 3,500 to 5,500 for a round trip with waiting.

Often combined with

Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.

• Ahmedabad: Road via Vadodara, about 4 hours, or train to Ekta Nagar. See the Ahmedabad and the Statue of Unity trip

Where to stay

Food

Most eating is at campus food courts: at the statue, Ekta Mall, View Point 1 and the Jungle Safari food plaza. Amul outlets at the Bus Bay and Shresth Bharat Bhavan sell snacks, dosa and pizza, and small cabins sell tea and biscuits.

Try these

• Makai muthiya (steamed maize dumplings)
• Methi gota (fenugreek fritters)
• Thepla (spiced flatbread)
• Nagli papad (finger millet crisps)
• Tribal thali (set meal at Ekta Tribal Cafe, booked online)

Food on the campus and at the tent city restaurant is largely vegetarian.

Daily costs

Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.

Permits and documents

No permit is needed. Buy tickets online at soutickets.in or at Shresth Bharat Bhavan; counters take cards only, not cash. Check the official list of items not allowed inside.

Safety

By day

A busy, managed tourist campus. The main risks are heat and sun on open ground, so carry water and sun protection.

At night

Evening shows, the glow garden and the Narmada aarti draw crowds until about 10 PM. Plan your return to your hotel before late night.

Solo women

A well-run, crowded tourist zone with transport such as the pink autos run by local women. Take usual care after dark.

Roads

Good highways from Vadodara via NH48, but the last stretch of about 30 km has narrow parts. Few fuel stations near the campus.

Emergency numbers

112 (all emergencies), 1800 233 6600 (Statue of Unity toll-free line)

Practical

Mobile network

All the main networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi and BSNL) work in town. Expect coverage from major operators in Ekta Nagar but check with your provider.

ATMs and cash

Ticket counters accept cards only, so carry a card plus some cash for small shops.

Fuel

Few fuel stations nearby. Fill up at the Indian Oil petrol pump or Gujarat Gas CNG pump near Ekta Gate, outside the restricted zone.

Medical

There are several hospitals within about 6 km, including Shree Jalaram Aarogydham Hospital and Kevadiya Project Hospital. In an emergency dial 112, or 108 for an ambulance in most states. Vadodara, about 90 km away, is the nearest large city for major hospital care.

Coverage maps: Jio · Airtel · Vi · BSNL. Report a problem

Accessibility

Seniors

Ramps, lifts, travelators and escalators reach the statue, and free buses link the sights, so walking can be kept short.

Children

Children aged 3 to 15 pay lower fares and under 3 go free. The Children Nutrition Park, zoo safari and glow garden suit them.

Wheelchair users

The statue is described as accessible to wheelchair users, with ramps and lifts to the viewing gallery.

Unless a sight is described as accessible, assume it is not step-free.

Culture and responsible travel

• The statue is a national memorial to Sardar Patel; keep noise down in the museum and exhibition.
• Buy craft items at Ekta Mall and eat at the tribal cafe to support local and tribal communities.
• Carry a reusable bottle; free drinking water points are spread across the campus.
• Plan around the Monday closure of the statue and most attractions.
• Shoolpaneshwar Mahadev Temple is an active temple with aarti at 7 AM and 8 PM; dress modestly there.

What to pack

• Photo ID (Aadhaar, passport or driving licence); hotels and permits ask for it
• Clothes in earthy colours, a cap and binoculars for safaris
• Some cash in small notes for autos, stalls and tips
• Your regular medicines, plus basics for stomach upsets, headaches and cuts

Multi-stop trips that include Statue of Unity

• Ahmedabad and the Statue of Unity, 3 nights