Kankaria Lake in Ahmedabad
· Summer: March-June (23°C - 46°C)
· Winter: November – February (10°C - 36°C)
· Monsoon: July-October
Best time to visit:
October-March
Opening Time: 04:00 a.m.
Closing Time: 11:00 p.m. (closed from 11:00 a.m. to 04:00 p.m.)
Weekly Holiday: Monday
Entry Fees for Indians
Adults: INR 10
Children:
INR 5 (Nil
Cameras: N/A
Video Camera: N/A
Entry Fees for Foreign Nationals
Adults:
INR 10
Children:
INR 5 (Nil
Cameras:
N/A
Video Camera:
N/A
Even after more than 560 years of its construction, Lake Kankaria continues to enjoy huge popularity among the visitors. Sultan Kutubuddin got it constructed in 1451 for royal bathing and today, it has an exceedingly entertaining lakefront catering to all age groups. The lake appears circular in shape, but is actually a 34-side polygon with a splendid island in the middle. Nagina Wadi (meaning ‘beautiful garden’) with a royal palace and a musical fountain enhance the glory of this island.
The lakefront is visited by hundreds every day to enjoy at Kankaria Zoo (housing tigers, lions, anaconda, elephants, albinos, numerous birds and some rare species), Bal Vatika (housing boat house, toy house, mirror house, planetarium, butterfly display) and Kids City (with outstanding activity centres). Two toy trains (called Atal Express and Swarnim Jayanti Express) are other favourites among the visitors.
Balloon safari, joy rides (vertical swing, black flash, sky fly and many others), National History Museum, aquarium, desert safari, Dutch tombs and other attractions add to the tourism value of the lake. The upcoming Stone Mural Park (with pink sandstone sculptures depicting region folklore) is considered as the next big thing in the whole Ahmedabad. Additional prices must be paid for enjoying various attractions and rides. The lake is beautifully lit up at the evening, offering exclusive visual treat to the eyes.
Connectivites
Road:
The make is located in Maninagar and is well-connected to all parts of Ahmedabad by roads that are in good condition. Apart from private vehicles, local buses, cabs, auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws can help you access the lake conveniently.
Railway:
Maninagar Railway Station is just about 1.5 km. from the lake, while Ahmedabad’s main railway station is about 4 km. away. From any of these stations, you can hire a cycle-rickshaw or an auto-rickshaw to reach the lake.
Airway:
The international airport of Ahmedabad is just about 12 km. from the lake’s location. Taxis and auto-rickshaws as well as local buses are available to travel the distance.