The Statue of Unity the tallest statue in the entire world, stands as a great tribute to the Iron Man of India, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Modernized amidst the serene surroundings of the Narmada River of Gujarat, this spot is truly an icon that attracts visitors from around the world, but it also opens the doors to many other beautiful attractions to explore in proximity. Now, if you are interested in places to visit near the Statue of Unity, here are the following 10 places that you must look forward to.
Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers, located places to visit near the Statue of Unity, is a stunning destination showcasing the Narmada zone’s diverse ecology. This 17 km floral garden, stretching along the right bank of the Narmada River, is home to hundreds of blooming bushes, shrubs, bamboos, and grasses. Visitors can explore the valley through various hiking trails, with July to September being the best time to witness the flowers in full bloom. making it an accessible and unforgettable experience.
Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly Garden, just 9 km from the Statue of Unity, is a tranquil retreat spread over 10 acres, home to 70 diverse butterfly species. This vibrant garden offers a mesmerizing experience for nature lovers, families, and photographers, with well-maintained paths that allow visitors to immerse themselves in the colorful world of fluttering wings and blooming flowers. A visit here is both educational and magical, perfect for all ages.
River Rafting
Visitors and adventurers are given the lifetime chance to participate in this blood-rushing water sport at the Narmada River. Being diverse and interesting, the stretch fits both pros and beginners in the race. One becomes so encompassed by the attraction of the surroundings as one is taken through spectacular rapids; all this eventually forms an experience that is awe-evoking, characterized by high levels of adrenaline. As opposed to their calm sections, there are challenging ones on the river path which suit any rafting skill level because it makes for an exciting experience. Narmada River white water rafting is not only an adventure but communing with the forces of nature.
For adventurers, it is what draws them to the Narmada River – lush greenery, a feel of river flow smoothness and realistic landscapes.
Sardar Sarovar Dam
One of the good examples of a gravity dam is the Sardar Sarovar Dam, it’s Best places to visit near the Statue of Unity,
otherwise known as the Narmada Dam, built across the Narmada River at Kevadiya, Navagam in Gujarat. The dam is easily accessible by private vehicles and buses. The nearest airport is Vadodara, and the closest railway station is Bharuch.
Sardar Sarovar is surrounded by lush green forest, and in the rainy season, you can see beautiful scenery. Due to its natural beauty, visitors are attracted to it. Some places can be visited with prior permission only. Major attractions near the Sardar Sarovar Dam are, the RatanMahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary, the Kanjeta Eco Campsite, Chandod, the Statue of Unity, and the Vishal Khadi Eco Campsite.
The dam authority also provides the facility for a guided tour if anybody looks for the same. It can be hiked from the dam reception, and they will cover six different points, which include a garden, foundation stone, first lock gate, a lake for boating, and one hiking point for the students who participate in the nature camps. If one wants to visit this dam during the best time, then the start of winter is October and November.
The dam is surrounded by beautiful nature and nestled at the base of mountains. When the Sardar Sarovar Dam overflows during the monsoon season, it is an amazing sight. Visiting this place is one of the best experiences in the world.
Jungle Safari
The Jungle Safari is a modern and well-designed zoo with a unique mix of animals and birds from all over the world. Visiting it is like going on an exciting adventure where you can see wildlife and enjoy beautiful scenery. This special place is located near the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the famous Statue of Unity.
The Jungle Safari at the Statue of Unity has a total land of 375 acres divided into seven different levels which lie between 29 and 180 meters. In order for people on the safari route at the Statue of Unity to enjoy watching animals performing different activities or take a look at reptiles and birds as they appear in their natural surroundings. Besides that, tourists will have an opportunity to observe some of India’s rarest species, such as large Asiatic lions and Leopards.
Another highlight of the Jungle Safari Kevadia is the walk-through aviary featuring the finest of the indigenous birds. Here, visitors can walk with the birds specific to varied habitats that have been created by simulating the natural habitat of each of the species. The view will not be interrupted by the bars of the cages.
Cactus Garden
The Cactus Garden, located at the Statue of Unity site, is a special botanical garden showcasing many types of cacti and succulents. It aims to give visitors a feel of the desert in an area surrounded by water. The garden has 6 lakhs of plants from 450 different species, spread over 25 acres of open land and inside a dome that covers 836 square meters.
These species of cacti and succulents represent their origin in 17 countries of the world, mainly from North & South America and the African continents. A distinct flora is showcased in a beautiful rockery in its richness. This garden will be a ravishing landscape of colorful cacti & succulent plants & at the same time it will emerge as an educational & learning opportunity for the geo-student & enthusiast to explore the wisdom of nature.
Children’s Nutrition Park
The Children’s Nutrition Park is developed as a place of learning for children, providing them with fun and nourishment while educating them on healthy eating and good nutrition, with the theme of SAHI POSHAN DESH ROSHAN. This one-of-a-kind theme park is the first ever in India and is a destination for both young ones and adults, coming not only from India but around the world.
This park’s primary attraction is the Nutri Train, whose 600M long track carries children through different stations revolving around key nutrition elements. To get on the train, one must get tickets from Ekta Junction Station. On the way, it has 5 stations that cover issues of great importance to healthy food, mind and body to people.
In addition to the five stations, there is a Mirror Maze Building. Inside, you can find the Bhool Bhulaiya Cinema, which shows a 5D movie, named Bhartiya Thaali – Unity In Food Diversity.
Ekta Nursery
Located near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, it covers a large area filled with local plants. It grows regional trees, flowers, shrubs, and medicinal plants to help preserve the local biodiversity.
This nursery has the most up-to-date greenhouses and cultivation infrastructure for growing native plants. The plant stock is raised by qualified horticulturists and maintaining control over the health and development of the plants is left to them.
Ekta Nursery has been developed as a tourist attraction, too, to spread awareness regarding various eco-friendly ways of organic farming, drip irrigation, waste recycling, etc., so that its impact on the environment is reduced. The nursery visualizes spreading sustainability and environmental awareness with such measures. There is a twin purpose served by this nursery, it serves as an educational facility for tourists on the one hand and locals who are offered job opportunities on the other.
The center of the nursery reflects regional ethnic tribal culture. The native culture is depicted in front of the visitors in a tribal hut consisting of various artifacts that were used by them.
True to its name ‘Ekta’, meaning unity, the nursery brings botany together for conservation and sustainability with environmental education. This enchanting nursery opens one’s eyes a little more towards the ecological heritage of India.
Unity Glow Garden
The Unity Glow Garden is a special theme park near the Statue of Unity in Kevadia. It features sparkling artwork, figures, and visual effects, all lit up with beautiful and colorful lights in the evening. Visitors can enjoy seeing many plants, different animals and birds, and an LED fountain with brilliant lights. It has become a popular spot for night tourism, attracting more and more visitors who want to experience Kevadia at night. The goal was to create a unique and vibrant atmosphere in the evenings, encouraging night tourism around the Statue of Unity.
Arogya Van
Best places to visit near the Statue of Unity is Arogya Van, is a dedicated flora sanctuary that deals with medicinal and health-related aspects. This destination attracts an enormous and vast flora that has been carefully selected and documented with their medicinal properties that go a long way toward achieving good well-being. It emphasizes the importance of Yoga and Ayurveda in sustaining holistic health, both in physical and mental wellbeing.
When you walk into Arogya Van’s gates, statues of all the 12 postures of Surya Namaskar come to life shortly after you enter. As such, it is easy to notice how important it is for us to practise yoga every day if we desire a better disease-free life. There is also an electronic information centre for informing and enlightening visitors about the legacy and uses of medicinal plants in our daily lives. The indoor plant section is also an integral part of this Wellness Center to spread awareness among people about the importance of indoor landscaping.
One of the primary interests among the aesthetically fastened attractions at Arogya Van is in the form of an enormous three-dimensional structure of the human body in a resting posture. Every organ of the human body is represented through some medicinal plant, which benefits that specific organ. These plants will be planted on the portion of that organ of the body to let the visitors understand the specific plants being used for treatment of that organ.