Kankaria Lake

Kankaria Lake is a multisided lake that was built by Sultan Qutab-ud-Din in the year 1451 A.D. It is basically an artificial lake with thirty four sides. Lying on the south eastern side of the Ahmedabad city, the lake also has a fascinating island summer palace. People are of the say that Kankaria lake of Ahmedabad was often visited by the Mughal Emperor Jahangir along with his wife Empress Noor Jahan. Kankaria Lake is one of the most favorite picnic spots of the people of Ahmedabad. Adjacent to the lake, lies a beautiful garden called Nagina Wadi. For people seeking peace, there can be no better place than Kankaria Lake. The pleasing view of the lake, the humming and chirping of birds and the greenery bordering the lake will make you fall in love with this place. You can also avail the boating facility. Kankaria Lake provides a beautiful view of the sunset. There is also a zoo and children's park located nearby the lake.

History of Kankaria Lake
The actual origin for the name Kankaria is unknown, yet various stories roam about. One of them says that the name Kankaria was chosen due to the huge piles of limestone that was dug out during its excavation for formation of the artificial lake. Another story says that Sultan Qutb-ud-Din had posed a question to Shah Alam, who was a saint, to select a location for the garden and the tank, who then scattered pebbles and built the lake, thereby owing the name Kankaria lake.

Another popular story suggests that Hazrat-i-Shah Alam, who was also a saint, got injured by a pebble when he was passing through the excavated site and he acknowledged the pebble that injured him, thus giving the excavation site the corresponding name. Merutunga, a chronicler of the 14th century, said that Karna, the ruler of Chalukya origin, after defeating the Bhil chief Asha, ordered for a temple to be built. This temple was dedicated to Kochharba, a goddess, wherein Karnavati city, which is nearby, was also established by him along with many more temples like Jayantidevi and Karnamukteshwara temples. Karna also established a tank in the city of Karnavati, next to the Karneshvara temple and this tank was named as the Karnasagara tank, which is presently known as the Kankaria Lake. However, the validity of the origin of this story is questionable.

Kankaria Lake Architecture
Kankaria Lake, touted as one of the largest lakes in Ahmedabad, is spread across a surface area of around 76 acres. It has a periphery of about 2.25 kilometers and features stone steps and slopes that give you access to the water. Another key feature of the lake is an island located in its center. This island, which is known as Nagina Wadi aka Nagina Baugh, contains a beautiful garden, a summer palace, and also a bridge that connects it to the lakeshore.