Kankaria Lake
Kankaria Lake is one of the biggest lakes in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. A lakefront
was developed around it which has many public attractions like zoo, toy
train, kids city, tethered balloon ride, water rides and water park, food
stalls and entertainment facilities. Kankaria Carnival is a week long
festival being held here in last week of December. Many cultural, art and
social activities are organised during carnival. It is located in the
southern part of the city, in Maninagar area.
History
Kankaria Lake was built by Sultan Kutubuddin in 15th century. The work was
completed in 1451 CE and was known as "Qutub Hojj" or "Hauj-e-Kutub" .It was
used for bathing by the kings. 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 centre of the lake. With an
approximate circumference of 1.4 miles (2.3 km), it represents the regale
history of Ahmedabad. It is a 34-sided polygon having steps which leading
down to water level.
Renovation
The central garden and the walkway had been revamped and utilities are
enhanced. Upon completion of the renovation the lake was officially
inaugurated in a week long event known as "Kankaria Carnival". The
inauguration ceremony for renovated Kankaria lakefront was held on December
25, 2008.
Attractions Around Kankaria Lake
Kankaria Zoo
Kamla Nehru Zoological Park was established by Rueben David in 1951 CE
spread over 21 acres. It was rated the best zoo in Asia in 1974. They are
450 mammals, 2,000 birds, 140 reptiles in a 31 acre zoo. It is a treasure of
wild animals like tigers, lions, python, anaconda, snakes, elephant, albinos
(white), like the rhesus monkey and peacock, spotted deer, white blackbuck,
chinkara, elephants, emu, jungle babbler, bush-quail and common palm civet.
Kankaria Zoo has also records in breeding of rare species in Zoo like
pythons, crocodiles, bearcats and wild asses. Reuben David was awarded Padma
Shri in 1974 for it.
Balvatika
It is a children's park named after Jawaharlal Nehru. Balvatika has a boat
house, playroom, butterfly and weapon displays, mirror house, toy house and
planetarium.
Kids City
Kids City is a miniature world designed for kids. It is spread in 4240
sq.metre area having 18 activity centres including banks, fire station,
science lab, radio station, police station, court room and prison, dental as
well as medical hospital, theatre, BRTS, heritage gallery, town governance,
IT centre, News room, ice-cream factory, etc. AMC had applied for copyrights
and patents on the individual games in the premises, the unique point
system, Virmo (Virtual Money) and the design of the different venues in
games.
Toy Trains
A train named Atal Express (Named after 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, another train was also
started which named Swarnim Jayanti Express.
Balloon Safari
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 exhibit 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. Rainforest theme
restaurant is also there.
Nagina Wadi
There is an island in center of Kankaria Lake which houses a small summer
palace and a musical fountain. Food stalls are also there.
Stone Mural Park
India's biggest Stone Mural Park named Gurjar Gaurav Gatha on the side walls
of the circular lake in which sculptors are depicting, in pink sand stone,
the history and rise of Gujarat is under construction. It has murals
covering 3150 sq feet depicting the history of Ahmedabad right now but when
completed, it will measure 6000 feet in length and will be world's largest
mural (30000 sq.metre).
Following subjects are being included in murals: folklores and history of
Ahmedabad, great rulers of Gujarat, ports, commerce and good practices
(ethical business-trade traditions), education, freedom fight, cultural
heritage, art and literature, expression of culture, today’s Gujarat, global
Gujaratis, selected stories of common Gujaratis in past centuries. It will
also includes stories about ancient sage Dadhichi, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar
Patel, Jhaverchand Meghani and Indulal Yagnik.
Dutch Tombs
The Dutch and Armenian tombs are on One Tree Hill embankment which shows
strong trade presence of Dutch East India Company in city during 17th and
18th century.
Joyrides
Segways introduced for people for easy movement around lake. A mini golf
course; Aqua Kart and other water sports; Vertical Swing, Paint Ball
Shooting, Black Flash and Maverick rides, Sky Fly and other joyrides will
also Started which are really Exciting and adrenaline rush.
Other
Other attractions include historical Dadu Dayal temple, Natural History
Museum, desert safari, aquarium, gardens like One Tree Hill garden,
Butterfly Park, football ground, water sports and rides, open air theatre,
Jaldhara water park, boating and small amusement park. It is a good place
for yoga, walking, and running, especially early morning. There is also a
gym on campus known as Ambubhai Purani Vyayamshala.
Sources: Wikipedia
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