Kesuda tours to add colour to SoU travel

Vadodara: Tourists can now enjoy and revel in the beauty of Kesuda trees, known as ‘Flame of the forest’. Authorities have decided to offer ‘Kesuda tour’ to visitors who travel to Kevadiya colony in Narmada district to visit world’s tallest statue – the Statue of Unity (SoU).
According to officials, there are around 65,000 Kesuda trees, also known as Palash, Khakaro or Kishuka (in Sanskrit) in the region.The splash of bright orange flowers enhances the scenic beauty of Kevadiya colony, especially during spring season. “Tourists will be able to take the tour through bus, followed by trekking and serving delectable Kesuda tea,” said an official, adding that visitors will also be able to buy products prepared from Kesuda. The authorities have specially developed three routes — each of 3-4 km stretch — for this tour. The tours will be functional between 7am and 10am and between 4pm and 7pm.
Visitors can book the tickets online through soutickets.in to take the tour. Travelers, who book the tours, will be picked up from Shreshtha Bharat Bhavan and dropped at the same spot, after the tour ends, officials said.
“Since the last two years under the inspiration and guidance of our Prime Minister Narendra Modi, we have grown and nourished Kesuda trees in the vicinity of SoU at Ektanagar.
Now, thousands of trees have fully grown. Our PM’s vision is that like the cherry blossom season that is famous in Japan, visitors at Ektanagar should be able to enjoy the full-blossom of Flame of Forest. We have started this adventure cum nature tour which includes bus tour, nature tour, boating and even trekking,” said Rajeev Gupta, addl CS, industries and mines and in-charge of SoU.