The Largest Statue in the World Is So Big You Can See It From Space

If the title instantly sent your mind to South America to Christ the Redeemer in Brazil, you’ve homed in on one of the biggest statues in the world. But you’re thinking about the wrong continent. In fact, you’ll need to head over to Asia, into India, to find the world’s largest statue. This huge bronze figure rests in a lesser-known region of India for many folks, but still draws around 15,000 tourists every day.

So, what is this statue, where is it, and can you really see this massive thing from space? Let’s find out.

Depicting an important figure in the history of India, the Statue of Unity suggests, by its title, the intent of both figure and person. Indian statesman and independence activist, Vallabhbhai Patel lived from 1875 to 1950. The first deputy prime minister, home minister of Independent India, Patel still holds respect for his leadership in uniting 562 princely states of India to form the Union of India.

The Statue of Unity depicts Sardar Patel (Sardar means “Chief”) with a raised head and cloak tossed onto his shoulders. His hands are positioned at his sides, indicating impending motion.

First announced in 2010, the Statue of Unity took eight years to build, with an inaugural date of October 31, 2018, on Patel’s 143rd birthday.

Where is the Largest Statue in the World Located?

Towering over the River Narmada, with a backdrop of the Satpura and Vindhyachal hills, the State of Unity stands in Kevadia, Gujarat, India. Nearby, the Sardar Sarovar dam rests, while the statue itself rests on the Sadhu Bet hillock. You can reach the statue via a nearly 900-foot bridge, connecting the mainland to the small island.

How Tall is the Statue of Unity?

Standing at 597 feet, the State of Unity officially became the largest statue in the world when it was completed. The next tallest statue in the world is the Spring Temple Buddha, by nearly 180 feet.

For comparison, the State of Liberty in the United States stands at 310 feet. This means the Statue of Unity is nearly twice that height. The largest statue in the world is made up of 18,500 tons of reinforced steel rods, 2,500,000 cubic feet of concrete, 5,700 tons of steel structure, and 12,000 bronze panels that weigh 1,700 tons.

Features and Facts of the Statue of Unity

Whether you’re able to visit this area of India someday or not, the largest statue in the world certainly calls for some understanding.

• The Statue of Unity may be seen from a 4.3-mile radius around the giant figure.
• The statue rests on the river island known as Sadhu Bet and faces the Narmada Dam downstream.
• An artificial lake formed by Garudeshwar weir on the Narmada river is 7.5 miles long and is the home of this statue and its island.
• Five zones make up the Statue of Unity. Three of these zones welcome the public. The first zone contains an exhibition area, roof, memorial garden, museum, viewing gallery, and mezzanine.
• Inside the statue, a museum catalogues the life of Sardar Patel and the contributions he made to Indian society.

Can You Really See the Statue of Unity from Space?

Other statues may purport to be visible from space, but the State of Unity actually is. The commercial satellite network Planet captured clear shots of the statue after its completion. The statue is distinguishable as a massive statue, too, not merely a “blip” on the screen.

Why Was This Massive Statue Built?

In October 2013, Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, announced the project of building the Statue of Unity to honor Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The well-liked leader, from the turn of the century into the 1950s, seemed an appropriate person to honor for his work in unifying and rebuilding the Indian Union. The name was given to the statue to remember the minister’s work to unify the nation and remind the world of the efforts of the man toward this end.