Since time immemorial, architecture and monuments have given India her identity. From historical Ajanta & Ellora caves to Delwara Temple of Mount Abu and from Taj Mahal to Meenakshi Temple of Madurai, Indian architecture showcases its elegance and superiority across the globe. The most prolific creation in recent times, the Statue of Unity, is the World’s Tallest Monument. It represents more than a colossal structure facing the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the river Narmada. It is an iconic symbol of the ‘Iron Man’, who played an important role during India’s freedom struggle and thereafter in the unification of the princely states. It reminds the world of the towering personality of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the nucleus of India’s integration as a united country.
It was the wit and whip of this ‘Iron Man’ that 562 small and big princely states unanimously agreed to become an integral part of India. The elucidation of the Statue directly correlates with the meaning and value of unity. While, it is one of the finest interpretations of the designers with its modern construal, it also symbolises and describes the quintessence of the statue to visitors. The world’s tallest statue is an engineering marvel that was constructed in merely 46 months.
Sardar Patel, respected for his commitment and drive, took up the challenge of convincing all the princely states using diplomacy and peaceful means, or the iron hand when needed.
The impressive landmark commemorating Sardar Patel’s contribution to unification dovetails into several social development programmes such as improved transport and connectivity, institutions of research, education and tribal development, tourist facilities and other social infrastructure.
CACTUS GARDEN
The Cactus Garden is a unique botanical garden at the Statue of Unity site, created to exhibit a huge variety of Cacti and succulents, the true miracles of adaptation. The thought behind the development of the cactus garden is to provide an experience of the desert ecosystem in the midst of a landmass well entrenched in an aquatic surrounding. There are 6 lakh plants of 450 species spread across 25 acres of open land and inside the dome having an area of 836 square metres.
A Spectacle Galore: A grand architectural greenhouse, is an ecological habitat of nearly 450 national and international species of cacti and succulent plants. These cacti and succulent species represent their origin in 17 countries of the world mainly from North & South America and African continents. Beautiful rockery showcases distinct flora in its richness. The garden is a ravishing landscape of colourful cacti and succulent plants and also an educational and learning opportunity for students and enthusiasts to explore the nature’s wisdom.
Origination: It is believed that all succulent plants evolved from other related plants growing in a normal environment by adaptation to changing climatic condition of their habitat, especially the irregularity and amount of rainfall. Most of the cacti are American in origin and distributed over vast areas particularly in warm and dry regions.
Salient Features of Cactus Garden:
- Solar panel of 8 KW
- Nursery for producing succulents and grafted cacti
- Erosion control blankets installed for preventing soil erosion
Species & Plants at Cactus Garden:
- Total Number of plants: 6.0 lacs
- Cactus Plants: 1.9 lacs
- Succulent Plants: 1.6 lacs
- Ornamental Plants: 2.5 lacs
RIVER RAFTING
River rafting is undoubtedly one of the most enthralling and physically demanding adventure sports in the world. Narmada, the largest west flowing river in the country, and the lifeline of millions has now ushered in the thrilling experience for the adventure enthusiasts who can now enjoy river rafting in 4.5 km. stretch with whirlpools, rapids and many turns which provide an exciting and unforgettable rafting experience for the first time in Gujarat.
Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Vijay Rupani, launched the state’s first ever river rafting on August 17, 2019 at Khalwani situated in Kevadia near Statue of Unity and Sardar Sarovar Dam on river Narmada.
The adrenaline rush and the excitement experienced while riding and tumbling down the waters of fast flowing Narmada river across boulder strewn bed is simply unmatched by any other sport. So be embraced by the thrills of rafting, as there are as many as 6 rapids through the channel of Narmada. This river rafting activity has become possible at Khalwani in Kevadia, due to regular release of 600 cusec flow of water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam.
The deciduous site surrounded by hillocks and the Narmada flowing by, is unhindered by any human interventions. This is an ideal camping and hiking site. The nearby Shoolpaneshwar Sanctuary is a treasure trove for wildlife enthusiasts and the growing popularity of the Statue of Unity immensely adds to the tourism potential.
