Kevadiya is town in Gujarat, which is home to the world famous The Statue of Unity which is dedicated to the Iron man of India Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel. The destination also has many more places such as Valley of Flowers, Vishwa Van, Jungle Safari, Cactus Garden,etc to attract tourists.
Located at a distance of 23 km from Rajpipla and 85 km from Vadodara, Kevadiya is a beautiful town in the Narmada district of Gujarat. Kevadiya is one of the must-visit places in Gujarat as here is present the beautiful Statue of Unity which is dedicated to the Iron man of India Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel.
This town is home to the world famous The Statue of Unity, Sardar Sarovar Dam built on the Narmada river and was a popular picnic spot even before the Statue of Unity came up. Situated between the Satpura and Vindhyachal mountain ranges, the gigantic statue of Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel, was inaugurated by Prime Minister, Narendra Modi in 2018. The Statue of Unity is a must-visit destination in Kevadiya.
Surrounded by a 12 km artificial lake, the monument compound is spread across 20,000 square meters. The government inaugurated 17 tourism projects around the Statue of Unity (SoU), now called the 'Kevadia Tourism Circuit'. The circuit covers 35 tourist places in Kevadiya, out of which the Valley of Flowers, Vishwa Van, Jungle Safari, Cactus Garden, Butterfly Garden, Ekta Cruise , Tent City, Khalvani Eco-tourism, Zarwani Eco-tourism, Nauka Vihar, and River Rafting, located around the periphery of the statue and the Narmada Dam, are already open.
Present at a distance of 7 km from Kevadiya Railway Station, the Statue of Unity is a giant statue located on an islet on the Sardar Sarovar Dam at Kevadia village in Gujarat. The Statue of Unity is surrounded by a 12 km artificial lake, the monument compound is spread across 20,000 square meters. The Bronze statue of the founding father of the Republic of India stands 182 m tall grabbing the attention of the whole world as the 'Tallest statue in the World'.
The statue is divided into five zones of which only three are accessible to the public. From its base to the level of Patel's shins is the first zone which has three levels and includes an exhibition area, mezzanine floor, and roof. It contains a museum, a memorial garden, and an Audio Visual Hall to depict the life and struggles of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The 2nd zone reaches up to Patel's thighs, while the 3rd extends up to the viewing gallery at 153 m. The concrete towers which form the statue's legs contain two elevators each that can carry 26 people at once to the viewing gallery in all 30 seconds. One can get a panoramic view of the surroundings from the viewing gallery. Zone 4 is the maintenance area while zone 5 comprises the head and shoulders of the statue.
At a distance of 3 km from the Statue of Unity, 10 km from Kevadiya Railway Station, Sardar Sarovar Dam is a gravity dam on the Narmada River near Kevadia village in Gujarat, India. It is one of the largest dams in India and among the top places to visit in Kevadiya. The dam provides water to generate power and supply water for drinking and irrigation to states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
Visitors can take a tour which will take them through 6 points around the dam site - a garden, the foundational stone laid by Jawaharlal Nehru, a site with a side view of the flow of the water from the dam, a lake where boating takes place, the first lock gate of the main canal, and a trekking site with a nature education camp for students. Near the site is also the Surpaneshwar Shiva temple that the Government had built to replace the original ancient temple that was submerged by the dam.
Present at a distance of 2.5 km from the Statue of Unity, Valley of Flowers is a flower garden situated along the bank of River Narmada. The garden is spread across 24 acres of land and is a haven for colorful flowering plants. The garden has more than 300 types of flowers. A right blend of ornamental flowers, trees, shrubs, herbs, climbers, and creepers are planted along with various shades of foliage, which forms the green cover in this area.
This vibrant landscape is also a site for a charismatic flower show every winter. The picturesque site and an enthralling view of the Statue of Unity certainly captivate the visitors always. There are several photo booths and selfie points developed to take back fond memories of the visit.
Cactus Garden is located at a distance of 2.5 km from Sardar Sarovar Dam, This Garden is a unique botanical garden located on the bank of Narmada River in Kevadiya. This botanical garden was created to exhibit a huge variety of Cacti and succulents, the true miracles of adaptation. Spread across 25 acres of open land, the Cactus Garden contains 6 lakh plants of 450 species from 17 countries mainly from North & South America and African continents. The garden is a ravishing landscape of colorful cactus and succulent plants and also an educational and learning opportunity for students and enthusiasts to explore nature's wisdom.
The Butterfly Garden is a well-maintained garden located on the bank of Narmada River in Kevadiya. It is one of the top places to visit near the Statue of Unity. Covering over an area of 10 acres, the garden harbors more than 70 species of butterflies. There are also 150 species of nectar plants and larval host plants as butterflies feed on the nectar of flowers.
The Butterfly Garden has been developed in a way to create an environment that attracts butterflies and gives them a habitat to proliferate. This park is designed to get a close view of the different butterfly species along with the life stage of butterflies from laying eggs to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult emerges and finally becomes an adult butterfly.
The Unity Glow Garden is a unique theme park near Statue of Unity, Kevadiya. Located near the Valley of Flowers, it is one of the important attractions near the Statue of Unity. The Glow Garden has been developed with a glimmering array of installations, figures, and optical illusions. There are many botanical installations, various animals and birds, LED fountains inspired with glowing lights. This was intended to create a zone that gave a different feel and ambiance in the evenings and enable night-tourism to flourish in the vicinity of the Statue of Unity.
The garden is a perfect to visit after the 7 pm Projection Mapping Show, get ready to be transported to a land of magical lights and light-based art installations at the Statue of Unity Glow Garden. It has earned the title of being a popular destination park already, as more and more tourists are pouring in to experience the beauty of Kevadia at night.
The Arogya Van or Herbal Garden is a park present in Kevadia town. It is one of the popular gardens and among the must-visit places as part of Statue of Unity packages. Spread across 17 acres, Arogya Van houses over 500,000 ancient medicinal plants of 380 species. The main aim of this garden is to raise awareness about the important role played by plants in the holistic wellness of human beings.
The Arogya Van-Santhigiri Wellness Centre or Arogya Kutir provides therapeutic remedies and treatments like Dhara, Snehapanam, Sirovasti, Pizhichil, Udavarthanam, Marmachitiksa, Nasyam, karnapooranam, Tharpanam, Njavarrakizhi, Herbal Stream Bath, Rasayanchikitsa, Spinal Bath and Therapeutic Massages. While walking through this Arogya Van, music is played to offer typical tropical forest surroundings.
Just at a distance of 2 km from Kevadiya Railway Station, the Children Nutrition Park is a unique theme park in Kevadia town. Located near the Statue of Unity Ticket Counter, it is one of the popular gardens in Kevadiya, and among the must-visit place near the Statue of Unity.
The Children Nutrition Park has been developed as part of Kevadia Integrated Development to inspire children to eat healthily and understand the role of nutrition in their mental and physical growth. The Children Nutrition Park provides high-quality entertainment and vital knowledge to the children on healthy eating habits and nutritional values based on the theme of 'SAHI POSHAN DESH ROSHAN.'
The Sardar Patel Zoological Park & Jungle is a zoo park situated in Kevadia town. Sardar Patel Zoological Park covers 375 acres at seven different levels ranging from an altitude or elevation of 29 m to 180 m on the right bank of the Narmada River. Tourists can spot India's endangered species, which includes the magnificent big cats such as Asiatic Lion, Royal Bengal Tiger, Black Panther, and Leopard here. The zoo also organizes Jungle Safari, an adventure ride, which allows exploring the unexplored trails and untouched natural horizons. The safari route has been designed such, that the visitors can view animal activities, spot reptiles, and watch birds. Besides, one can enjoy the scenic beauty of the hills surrounding the zoo.
The Ekta Cruise Service is a ferry ride on the pristine waters of the Narmada River in Kevadia town. Ekta Cruise Service was flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 30th October 2020 to mark Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, the birth anniversary of Sri Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The ferry ride starts from Shrestha Bharat Bhavan, behind Ramada Encore to the Statue of Unity.
The cruise stops 15-20 minutes at the Statue of Unity. The guests onboard can enjoy the magnificent view of the World's tallest statue while cruising along with some chilling background music, and cultural programs. This cruise also provides a gripping experience of the 'On Board dinner' during the cruise sailing while the forest night sets in Kevadiya and attractive lighting takes over the hearts of the thousands of tourists. The dinner is a lifetime experience as very delicious cuisines are available adding value to the naturally rich surroundings.
The best time to visit Kevadiya is during the winter months from October to March. The temperatures are mild and the weather is pleasant during these months. Better to avoid visiting Kevadiya during the monsoon and summer months.
Kevadiya has stunning landscapes, which makes the place a must visit destination. From visiting the The Statue of Unity to enjoying Ekta Cruise service, there is something for every traveler in this city. So, pack your bags, plan your tour, and move onto a an unforgettable journey through the heart of Kevadiya.
