Kankaria Lake

Kankaria Lake Ahmedabad

 

About the location: Built in 1451 as Hauz e Qutub, and recently converted as a recreation space for the city, this large lake is a good respite from the hectic streets. In fact, this is the second largest lake of Ahmedabad, offering a pleasing visual break from the buildings and roads. Attractions include a tethered hot-air balloon (10min ride Rs 100; 10am–10pm), a mini-train and the Kamla Nehru Zoo (entry/camera Rs 20/5; Mar–Oct 9am–6.15pm and Nov–Feb 9am–5.30pm). One Tree Hill Garden on the west side (entered from outside) contains some quite grand colonial Dutch tombs. There are additional trappings of a public entertainment space that can keep kids hooked for hours.

Brief History: The origin of Kankaria Lake goes back to Chalukyan times. According to the 14th century chronicler Merutunga, the Chalukya ruler Karna built a temple dedicated to the goddess Kochharba. He also established the Karnavati city close to Ahmedabad, where he commissioned the Karnamukteshwara and Jayantidevi temples. The king also built the Karnasagara tank at Karnavati next to Karneshvara Temple. They say Karnasagar tank is today’s Kankaria Lake. Though the construction was started by lake started by Sultan Muizz-ud-Din Muhammad Shah II, it was completed in 1451 in Ahmedabad’s architectural golden period by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II. Researchers say that the name Hauj-e-Qutb (the tank of Qutb) after the Sultan Qutb-ud-Din was the original name of the lake.

Historians believe that the lake gets its name from the large quantities of limestone (kankar in Gujarati) that was dug out of it during excavation. Another story narrates that the Sultan Qutb-ud-Din asked Saint Shah Alam to select the site for a tank and a garden in his kingdom. The saint scattered some pebbles on the site, which was later excavated and the lake was built on the exact spot. A different story leans towards the saint Hazrat-i-Shah Alam’s saga, in which he cut his foot on a sharp pebble while passing through excavation. The lake was then called Kankaria or full of pebbles. 

Visiting Hours

9am–11pm

Location

Ahmedabad


How to get there

  • By Road Gujarat has one of the better developed road networks in India. Ahmedabad is well connected with all major cities and towns by road.State and private buses are a great option to travel between smaller towns in the state.

  • By Train Major Indian cities are also connected via the Ahmedabad railway station that lies on the western railways network.. The main railway station is located in Kalupur area. This station falls under the prominent national railway circuit and is connected to all major cities of India. India’s first bullet train project will be connecting Mumbai to Ahmedabad by December 2023. It will run at a speed of 320kmph and cover the distance in 3 hours.

  • By Air Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad connects all major cities in India and key cities abroad to the state.

 

Registered Tour Operators

Tour Operator

A to Z Holidays

Phone 079-40020240
Website http://www.atozholidays.in
Tour Operator

Aatithya Trips Private Limited

Mobile 09426502210
Website www.aatithyatrips.com
Tour Operator

AB Tours And Travel

Mobile 09979856302
Website http://www.abtours.co.in
 

Registered Tourist Guides

Tourist Guide

Ankit Jani

Mobile 9924080111
Tourist Guide

Bhikhubhai Sulemanbhai Shaikh

Mobile 9724626043
Tourist Guide

Divyang P Samdani

Mobile 9998301058