Tent City Narmada, Ekta Nagar

Tent City Narmada is a seasonal, government-run tent accommodation complex at Ekta Nagar in the Narmada district of Gujarat, India, on the bank of the Narmada river close to the Statue of Unity. The statue, which stands about 182 metres tall and is among the tallest in the world, draws large numbers of visitors, and the tent city was created to give them an overnight base close to it. The complex is open roughly from October to March, when the weather is cooler, and it closes for the hot summer and the monsoon. Vadodara, the nearest major city with an airport and main railway station, is about 90 to 100 kilometres away, and most guests arrive by road.

The accommodation is a designed camp of air-conditioned tents rather than a building, with a rural, festival-like feel. Tent types are Deluxe Tents, Premium Tents and Family Tents, each with an attached bathroom and air conditioning. The setting near the river and the surrounding hills is quiet in the evening, once day visitors have left.

Dining is provided by an on-site restaurant serving Gujarati and wider Indian meals, and breakfast is usually included or available in the mornings. Alcohol is not normally served in Gujarat, so guests should not expect a bar. Cultural programmes, including folk performances, are part of the offering and give the stay some local flavour.

The camp does not aim to provide a spa or resort pool; the appeal is convenience, price and the chance to sleep close to the monument. Service is run to a government-tourism standard and is oriented toward families, groups and tourists visiting the Statue of Unity and nearby attractions such as the Sardar Sarovar Dam and the Valley of Flowers. Rates generally run from about INR 5,000 to INR 12,000 per night. Weekends, school holidays and the cooler months fill quickly, so early reservation is advisable.