Kankaria

Kankaria
Kankaria Lake during the Kankaria Carnival in Ahmedabad
Location	Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Coordinates	23.006°N 72.6011°E / 23.006; 72.6011
Lake type	Artificial lake
Basin countries	India
Shore length1	2.25 km
Islands	Nagina Wadi
Settlements	Ahmedabad
1 Shore length is not a well-defined measure.

Kankaria is the biggest lake in Ahmedabad (in earliar days it used to be known by the name "Qutub Hojj" or "Hauj-e-Kutub"). Many kings, or badshah, used to bathe in this lake. With an approximate circumference of 1.4 miles (2.3 km), it represents the regale history of Ahmedabad. It is located in the southern part of the city in Maninagar area, which is the most densely populated suburb of the city. Kankaria was built by Sultan Kutubuddin in 15th century. The work was completed in 1451. It had a water purification system but it has been lost with the time. At one point of the circular lake, there opens a walkway which later merges into a garden called Nagina Wadi (which means beautiful garden in Urdu) that is located in the center of the lake. There is also a gym in the Kankaria lake campus which is called Ambubhai Purani Vyayamshala.

Lighting and special effects on the walkway and sumptuous food of the restaurants in the central garden make the lake a worthwhile place to visit or spend an evening. The Kankaria region is well-known for its junk food in the entire province of Gujarat. At night, the junk food business soars up. Especially in the summer between months of March and June.

Renovation

The inauguration ceremony for the Rs. 30 crore renovated crore Kankaria lakefront was held on December 25, 2008. The central garden and the walkway have recently been revamped.

Upon completion of the renovation the lake was officially inaugurated in a week long event known as "Kankaria Carnival". It is the first of its kind in the history and is organised by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

A train named 'Atal Express'(Named after former prime-minister of India Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his birthday 25 December 2008) was imported from London, the train circles the lake on a 4.5 km track at a speed of 10 km/h. The train has the capacity to carry 150 passengers, including 36 adults. The train is manufactured by Severn Lamb. During the first 11 months of introducing the train, it attracted nearly a million visitors. After the success of this train, AMC is planning to order another of its kind, pending approval.

The place is enjoyed as a place for yoga, walking, and running, especially in the very early morning. There are also other attractions like a Zoo, Nagina Wadi, Balvatika, an Aquarium and Gardens. Kankaria Zoo has also records in breeding of rare species in Zoo which make them to feel that they are attached with nature and not cages. Tourists/visitors will remember this place for years altogether.

Panorama of Kankaria Lake

Ahmedabad eye

Ahmedabad Eye is a tethered Balloon ride set up near Kankaria Lake after renovation. The tethered balloon complex spread over 3000 square yard, is divided into four sections including a restaurant, tethered balloon, Heritage exibit and an exhibition displaying the making of the Ahmedabad Eye. SKYZ is a balloon themed restaurant located at the Ahmedabad Eye complex. It is managed by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

External links

• Kankaria Carnival
• Details of Kankaria Lake's facelift
• Renovated Kankaria Lake Night Images
• kankaria Lake exclusive photos and videos collection
• Tiger at Kankaria zoo