Kankaria Lake Reservoir

Address: Kankaria Lake, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India

Website: https://ahmedabadcity.gov.in

Hours: Park open daily (most park attractions have separate hours)

Admission: Free (attractions around the lake such as zoo/park rides charge fees)

Kankaria Lake is a large man-made lake in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India, originally constructed in 1451. It is a major urban recreational complex in the city.

The lake covers roughly 34 hectares and has about 2.5 kilometres of shoreline; the lakefront contains promenades, cafes and family attractions. Key on-site features include the landscaped island pavilion Nagina Wadi, a municipal zoo and children’s complex, a small amusement area with a toy train, and water-activity facilities.

The site functions as an all-day leisure destination with evening lighting and events, and it attracts large local crowds on weekends and festivals.

The lake was created in 1451 during the period of the Gujarat Sultanate and has been used as an urban reservoir and public recreation area since. It has undergone multiple phases of repair and redevelopment to modernise the lakefront and add visitor facilities.

Kankaria sits in south-central Ahmedabad within the city limits of Gujarat, India. It is a prominent feature of Ahmedabad’s urban landscape and is easily reached from other central neighbourhoods by road.

• Size and scale: Covers roughly 34 hectares with a shoreline of about 2.5 kilometres, making it one of Ahmedabad’s largest urban waterbodies.
• Main attractions and busiest times: The lakefront offers a mix of attractions including a zoo, amusement rides, an island pavilion and evening light displays, with busiest periods on weekends and public holidays.

What to See#

• Nagina Wadi: A landscaped island and performance pavilion reached by a footbridge; hosts evening events and a small stage area within the lake.
• Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden (Kankaria Zoo): Municipal zoo and children’s complex located on the lakefront that includes enclosures, an aquarium and educational exhibits; commonly referred to locally as Kankaria Zoo or Kamla Nehru Zoological Garden.
• Toy train and lakefront amusements: A short circular ride that runs around the lakefront and provides views of the shore and attractions; popular with families.

Kankaria Lake lies in south Ahmedabad and is reachable by city bus, auto-rickshaw or taxi from Ahmedabad city centre. The nearest major landmark is the Kankaria Circle and the nearby Gujarat High Court area; local buses and app-based cabs provide straightforward access.

• Walk the full lakeside circuit early morning to see local exercise groups and fishermen at work.
• If visiting Kankaria's zoo, aquarium or toy train, buy tickets early in the day to avoid queues.
• Try the lakeside bhelpuri and local snacks from hawkers along the promenade in the evening.