What should you do after reaching Ekta Nagar (Kevadiya)? First, you gotta hustle to get in line 😂.... When you get off the train, hurry towards the exit gate and join the line for the buses to the Statue of Unity. The line might be long, but it will move quickly as there are plenty of buses. So, don't freak out when you see the long line. The AC buses will take you to the Statue of Unity gate for free (around 5-7 kms). If you don't want to wait in line, you can go to the gate and get an auto by paying the fare. At the SOU gate, there are separate lines for people who have booked tickets in advance and those who haven't (the CISF personnel will guide you). After entering, go to the security area where they will scan your tickets and you as well 😅 (again, separate lines for online booking and on-the-spot booking). Once you pass this checkpoint, you're inside the Statue of Unity premises. If you have booked a slot for the viewing gallery, go to the ground floor museum and if your slot is coming up soon, join the queue again (it's quite long, but it moves fast because of the speedy elevators that take only 38 seconds to reach the viewing gallery). If you want, you can get an express entry ticket for an extra 700 rupees, but then you'll get to use the lifts right away (like a VIP on the red carpet 😎). After you're done with the viewing gallery, take your time and explore the place at your own pace. At the exit, there are AC and non-AC buses available to take you to different points like Valley of Flowers, Jungle Safari, Sardar Sarovar dam, etc. (announcements are made for which bus goes where). Just hop on any bus that comes, don't wait for a specific one. It's better to book all the tickets for the points you want to visit in advance (some points are included in the viewing gallery ticket only, and it will be mentioned on the ticket and during the booking process). To return: There is a GSRTC AC bus (blue colored) at 1630 hours for Vadodara and Ahmedabad. This bus will pass through Amul Parlour, Gate no. 3 of SOU. You have to book this bus in advance from the GSRTC website. It gets packed, so don't expect a seat on the spot (especially on busy days like holidays). Keep an eye out for it and wave at the bus to make the driver stop. The conductor will call you too if you don't board at gate no. 3 of SOU. This bus's last stop in Kevadiya is Kevadiya bus stand in Kevadiya colony. After that, it stops directly in Dabhoi, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad. For other GSRTC buses, you have to go to Kevadiya bus stand by auto or use the parking by SOU buses. Alternatively, you can take trains from Ekta Nagar. To reach Ekta Nagar Railway Station, take the SOU or state transport buses (hurry towards them as it will be very crowded) for free. Autos are also available for a fee. Amenities Inside and Outside the SOU: 1. If you have a water bottle, there are free refill points on the premises. If not, you can either buy water from outside and then refill it or buy a bottle for 50 rupees at the refill point and fill it up as much as you want. 2. There is a food court inside the SOU premises, and there are plenty of eateries outside as well. Local people sell guava, raw mango, and cucumbers for 20 rupees a plate. Amul ice cream parlors (with food options) are also available. 3. Washrooms are present and clean. (They might be a bit dirty at the bus stands/parking area, but inside the premises, they are good). If you have any questions, message me. 👍