The tallest statue in the world: India unveils gigantic 181m monument

The world's tallest statue has been unveiled in India after nearly five years of construction.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 181m tall statue of India's late independence leader Sardar Vallabbhai Patel on the bank of the Narmada river in Kevadia, in the western state of Gujarat, MailOnline Travel reports.

The towering bronze monument, called "Statue of Unity", is almost twice the height of the Statue of Liberty and over 30 metres higher than the current record holder, China's Spring Temple Buddha.

A view of the Statue of Unity from the valley of flowers at Kevadiya Colony in Narmada district of Gujarat State, India. Photo / AP

Balloons in the colours of the Indian flag were release, and air force planes showered flower petals on the statue, which was built at a cost of over $881 million - a bill which proved controversial.

On Wednesday, Modi said Patel was a beacon of hope for India in the time of crisis and he will be a source of inspiration for ages to come.

Surrounded by the waters of the Narmada river, the statue stands at five times the height of Rio De Janeiro's famous statue of Christ The Redeemer and more than double the height of Russia's imposing The Motherland Calls statue in Volgograd.

Millions of tonnes of cement and steel have been shuttled to the site over the five years of construction, and recycled iron has been used for the statue's foundation.

Thousands of labourers and hundreds of engineers worked on the project, Gujarat's Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said.

Along with a visitor's centre, the Statue of Unity will have a viewing gallery at more than 152 metres, which can accommodate up to 200 visitors at a time, offering expansive views of the surrounding area.

Adjacent to the attraction will be a three-star 128-room hotel, with restaurant and conference facilities.

The project was conceptualised by Prime Minister Modi as a memorial to Patel.

In an ironic twist, Patel is reported to have said during his lifetime that he was against the concept of buildings and statues being built to glorify individuals.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, centre, waves during the inauguration of Statue of Unity. Photo / AP

Modi said in 2013 that "I want people from all over the world to see this statue just like they go see America's Statue of Liberty or Paris's [Eiffel] Tower.

"This was a dream for many years. Many people added new colour to this dream, they gave suggestions and after a lot of churning, this has happened."

The official Statue of Unity website also states that it is intended to 'remind every individual of our great nation's freedom struggle.

"[Its aim is to] inspire the people of our country to inculcate Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's visionary ideologies of unity, patriotism, inclusive growth and good governance.

'This monument will not just be a mute memorial like the rest, but a fully functional, purpose-serving tribute that will spur all round socio-economic development.

Sardar Sarovar dam is seen from the view gallery of the Statue of Unity. Photo / AP

"[This will be achieved] in the form of better connectivity, healthcare and education infrastructure, research centre for agriculture development and various tribal development initiatives."

However, many have criticised the project for being a waste of money and some political parties have argued the expenditure for the statue should have gone towards other priorities like women's safety, education and agricultural schemes.

Vishal Shah wrote on YouTube in response to a promotional video: "This is ridiculous project, what would we achieve from it?"

The statue was under construction for five years. Photo / AP

While Surya Vanka mused: "Besides being an enormous waste of resources, this is a rather tasteless and gaudy project."

Others feel the project is an important reminder of the nation's past when Patel united the 565 semi-autonomous states and British-era colonial provinces to form a united India.

Patel led the Indian National Congress which forged the Indian movement for independence, following World War II when the party put pressure on the British government to pass an independence bill in July 1947.

The party declared that India would not support the war until it had been granted complete independence.

Visitors stands near the feet of the Statue of Unity. Photo / AP

In January 1950 India's constitution as an independent state took effect.