Ahmedabad is a city that has always understood how to weave history into everyday life — and nowhere is that synthesis more vivid and celebratory than at Kankaria Lake. Built in 1451 CE by Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II, this extraordinary man-made lake in the Maninagar area of south-east Ahmedabad is one of the oldest surviving artificial water bodies in western India — and yet in 2026 it pulses with the energy of Ahmedabad’s most beloved family destination. Covering 76 acres in a distinctive 34-sided polygon shape with a shoreline of approximately 2 km, the lake was originally known as Hauj-e-Qutub and was commissioned as a reservoir and leisure water body during the Sultanate period. Today, following a landmark redevelopment by the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC), Kankaria Lake has been transformed into the city’s most vibrant lakefront — home to a zoo, toy train, balloon ride, laser shows, a wax museum, a dinosaur park, and over ten dedicated family activity zones. The famous Kankaria Carnival Festival — celebrated annually from December 25 to January 1 — draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the lakefront every year. Here is everything you need to know before visiting.
Quick Overview — Kankaria Lake Ahmedabad
| Detail | Information |
| Location | Kankaria, Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Gujarat – 380008 |
| Type | Man-Made Lake / Family Lakefront Recreation Zone |
| Built | 1451 CE — Sultan Qutb-ud-Din Ahmad Shah II |
| Lake Area | 76 Acres |
| Lake Depth | 6 Metres |
| Timings | Tuesday to Sunday — 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM |
| Joggers’ Entry | 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM (Free) |
| Closed | Every Monday |
| Entry Fee | Adults — ₹25 |
| Nearest Metro | Amraiwadi Metro Station (~13 min walk) |
| Nearest Railway Station | Ahmedabad Junction — ~5 km |
| Nearest Airport | Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport — ~11 km |
Location of Kankaria Lake
Kankaria Lake is situated in the Maninagar locality of south-east Ahmedabad — one of the city’s most well-developed and densely populated residential zones, easily reachable from all city directions.
Kankaria Lake is located in the Kankaria area within the Maninagar neighbourhood of south-east Ahmedabad, Gujarat — PIN 380008. The lake’s position in south-east Ahmedabad places it within comfortable reach of the city’s major transit hubs — the Kalupur Railway Station (Ahmedabad Junction) is approximately 5 km away, and the Amraiwadi Metro Station is the nearest rapid transit option, approximately 13 minutes on foot or a short ride by auto-rickshaw. The lake is surrounded by the Kamala Nehru Zoological Garden — which extends across approximately 110 acres surrounding the lake — making the entire Kankaria complex one of the largest integrated family recreation zones of any Indian city.
The lake has a beautiful island at its centre known as Nagina Wadi (also called Bagh-e Nagina) — a miniature garden island featuring a small summer palace and a spectacular musical fountain with multi-coloured laser lights that illuminate the lake’s surface during evenings. The lake is also notable for its distinctive 34-sided polygon geometry — a mathematically precise design choice that distinguishes it from conventionally oval or circular artificial lakes across India.
Directions to Kankaria Lake
Kankaria Lake is accessible from all parts of Ahmedabad by road, metro, and rail — its south-eastern city position is well-served by multiple transport options.
From Ahmedabad Junction Railway Station — approximately 5 km by road via the Lal Darwaja and Jamalpur area heading south-east. Journey time approximately 15-20 minutes by auto-rickshaw or cab. From Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport — approximately 11 km by road via SG Highway or SP Ring Road heading south-east toward Maninagar, approximately 25-30 minutes by cab. From Ahmedabad BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit) — several BRTS corridors serve the Maninagar zone, providing affordable bus-based access from the city centre and western Ahmedabad. The Amraiwadi Metro Station is the closest rapid transit stop — a 13-minute walk or 3-minute auto-rickshaw ride to the lake’s main entrance. The main entrance to Kankaria Lakefront is accessible via Punt Maharaj Road running alongside the lake, clearly signposted from the surrounding road network. Multiple parking zones are available for private vehicles around the lakefront perimeter.
Timings and Entry
Kankaria Lake operates a structured timing and entry system — closed on Mondays but open six days with an extraordinarily generous activity range from morning through night.
Kankaria Lake is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. The lake is closed every Monday for maintenance. For joggers and morning walkers, a dedicated early morning access window from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM is available free of charge on non-Monday days — making Kankaria one of Ahmedabad’s most popular morning fitness venues. Entry fee is ₹25 for adults and ₹10 for children. Entry is free for senior citizens and children below 3 years. Educational trip entry is available at a nominal ₹1 per student.
Individual attractions within the lakefront carry their own ticket prices — Balvatika’s entry is ₹50 per person with six free activities included, the Ahmedabad Eye tethered helium balloon ride costs ₹300 per person and lifts visitors 350 feet above the lakefront for a panoramic aerial view of the city, and the Amrapali Funland amusement zone is available at ₹500 for an all-inclusive package with 12-plus rides and a water park. Evening hours from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM are the most atmospheric — the laser fountain show on Nagina Wadi island and the lit promenade create a genuinely festive ambience.
Attractions Inside Kankaria Lakefront
Kankaria Lake’s lakefront is one of India’s most diverse single-destination family recreation zones — combining history, nature, entertainment, and adventure in one continuous experience.
Kamala Nehru Zoological Garden (Kankaria Zoo) — One of Gujarat’s finest zoological parks covering 31 acres within the 110-acre complex, housing diverse Indian wildlife including crocodiles, pythons, lions, and multiple rare species under professional care. Balvatika — Redeveloped in 2025 with a ₹22 crore investment, now featuring 28 attractions including Gujarat’s first Wax Museum, India’s first transparent Glass Tower, Flying Theatre, Dinosaur Park, and a Snow Park. Butterfly Park — An 8,000 square metre open-air garden near Gate No. 1 housing approximately 50 butterfly species attracted by 150 cultivated plants. Atal Express (Toy Train) — A miniature train running along the lakefront promenade, one of the most popular activities for children. Nagina Wadi Island — The central lake island with summer palace heritage, musical laser fountain, and evening light shows.
Nearby Places
Kankaria Lake’s Maninagar location places it within reach of some of Ahmedabad’s most celebrated heritage, religious, and cultural destinations.
Bhadra Fort and Teen Darwaja — Ahmedabad’s most iconic Sultanate-era fortified complex in the old city, approximately 6 km north of Kankaria. Kalupur Swaminarayan Temple — One of India’s most architecturally stunning Hindu temples, approximately 5 km away. Sidi Sayed Jali Mosque — Home to the extraordinary stone lattice window, one of India’s most photographed pieces of Islamic architecture, approximately 7 km away. Science City Ahmedabad — One of India’s largest interactive science museums with an IMAX theatre, robotics gallery, and aquatic gallery, approximately 5 km away. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel National Memorial — The memorial to India’s Iron Man, approximately 6 km away.
FAQs — Kankaria Lake Ahmedabad
Q1. What are the timings of Kankaria Lake Ahmedabad?
A: Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Closed every Monday. Free joggers’ entry from 4:00 AM to 8:00 AM on open days.
Q2. What is the entry fee for Kankaria Lake?
A: Adults pay ₹25, children pay ₹10. Senior citizens and children below 3 years enter free. Individual attractions carry separate ticket charges.
Q3. When is the Kankaria Carnival Festival celebrated?
A: The famous Kankaria Carnival Festival is held annually from December 25 to January 1 — a week-long cultural celebration attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors from across Gujarat.
Q4. What is Nagina Wadi at Kankaria Lake?
A: Nagina Wadi is the central island of Kankaria Lake — featuring a historic summer palace and a spectacular musical multi-coloured laser fountain show during evening hours.
Q5. Which metro station is nearest to Kankaria Lake Ahmedabad?
A: Amraiwadi Metro Station is the nearest — approximately 13 minutes on foot or a very short auto-rickshaw ride to the lake’s main entrance.
