Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Saturday, 17 October 2026, inaugurated the second edition of Ekta Prakash Parv at the Statue of Unity complex in Narmada district, lighting up a 7.6-km stretch of Ekta Nagar with themed installations celebrating India's cultural diversity, heritage, and technological progress. The three-month festival will run until 15 January 2027.

What the festival showcases

The event is structured across indoor and outdoor sections, together spanning 11 major themed segments. The indoor section is divided into four regional zones — North, East, West, and South India — each presenting its distinct cultural identity through lighting displays and art.

The North India zone features Himalayan culture, Punjabi folk dances, the Ram Temple, and Rajasthani art. The East India zone highlights Assam's Bihu, Odisha's architectural heritage, and Bengal's cultural identity. The West India zone showcases Gujarat's Garba, handicrafts from Kutch, Rani ki Vav, and Maharashtra's culture, while the South India zone depicts landmarks such as the Meenakshi Temple and Hampi, alongside Kerala's traditional boat races.

Outdoor installations and themes

The outdoor section features artistic lighting installations across 11 major sections, with themes including 'Bharat – Sone Ki Chidiya' and 'Samay Ka Chakra'. Visitors can walk through a tunnel of lamps, past illuminated sculptures, colourful balloons, and yoga-inspired displays. The route from Ekta Dwar to the Statue of Unity has been decorated with illuminated poles, gantry motifs, and themed installations, with buildings and trees along the path also lit up for evening attractions.

Reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi' (development as well as heritage) theme, displays also cover women's empowerment, modern India, the valour of security forces, and advances in space and technology. Special installations featuring animals, mushrooms, and aquatic life have been designed to attract children.

The political and cultural message

Chief Minister Patel said the festival would strengthen the spirit of 'Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat', inspired by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's message of national unity. 'The state government is working to uphold Sardar Patel's vision and Prime Minister Narendra Modi's emphasis on bringing people from different parts of the country closer through a shared sense of national identity,' he said at the inauguration.

The event is part of the state government's broader push to expand celebrations around Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, observed on 31 October each year to mark Sardar Patel's birth anniversary, as well as Bharat Parv and Deepotsav. This is the second edition of the festival, organised following strong public response to the inaugural event last year.

Ekta Nagar's growing tourism profile

The Statue of Unity — the world's tallest statue, dedicated to Sardar Patel — and the surrounding Ekta Nagar complex have steadily grown into a major domestic and international tourism destination. The three-month Prakash Parv is expected to add further draw to the complex, combining regional heritage, national identity, and contemporary development themes for visitors from India and abroad.

The inauguration was attended by Nandod MLA Dr Darshna Deshmukh, Narmada Nigam and Statue of Unity chairman Mukesh Puri, Tourism Department Secretary Kuldeep Arya, Statue of Unity CEO Amit Arora, and District Collector Ganga Singh, among other senior officials. All eyes are now on whether this edition surpasses last year's footfall and cements Ekta Nagar's position as a flagship cultural tourism hub.