Maninagar

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Maninagar is an area of Ahmedabad city, Gujarat, India. It is located in the southern part of the city. It can be divided into two regions - Maninagar East and Maninagar West, separated by the Maninagar Railway Station.

The Kankaria lake is situated in this area. A Garden is built in the centre of the Kankaria lake named as Naginawadi.It was developed by Ruler Ahmed shah. And there is a way that takes you to the center Garden. This area also hosts a train station on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai line where most of the major trains stop. There are many schools in this area too. Maninagar is divided by the Railway Station into East and West Maninagar, most Hindus live on the west side where as the east side has a majority of Christian Population. And so around 8 churches are located in this area as well.

Another such instance of refugee settlement is found in Dakshini society, a predominantly Marathi community, which itself hails from Maharashtra; gave space and shelter to Sindhis uprooted in the Partition of 1947. Dakshini society is also a place where some of the biggest Ganesh idols are worshipped prior to the popular festival Ganesh Chaturthi.

Maninagar has one mall with BigBazaar and a multiplex. It also has several upscale shops. It's one of the most convenient areas to live due to its proximity to railway station, State Transport Bus Depot and other necessary amenities.

[edit] Diversity

  • A big Dassehra celebration takes place in the Railway Colony Ground, where a big effigy of Ravana is burned every year.
  • Maninagar hosts some of the biggest community Garba events.
  • Maninagar is home to the Swaminarayan community. One of the biggest Swaminarayan temple is located in Maninage West.
  • A small but very popular Sai-Baba temple is located in Maninagar West.
  • Maninagar also has a sizeable population of Rabaris.
  • In Maninagar East alone there are eight churches of various denominations. During Christmas almost half of Maninagar east is decorated with Lights and Stars and Christmas trees by the contributions of the local Christians.
  • At least 3 schools are run by Jews in Maninagar West / Kankaria area.
  • A small community of Kohja / Bohra Muslims is located in the Kankaria area.
  • A big south Indian temple is located in the Maninagar East.
  • A Gurudwara is located in the Maninagar West.
  • A big Parsi Agiyari / Zoarastrian fire temple is located in the Maninagar / Kankaria area.

Despite of such a religious diversity, a curfew in Maninagar was not declared for many years after the Indian independence.

Currently this suburb is not part of the loop. Many of the local retailers, franchises, restaurants and other business' have observed the significant development that has taken place in the last decade. The general consensus being that to restore the branch in Maninagar would be a benefit for all. You will find shopping malls and all big brands showrooms here. Maninagar also boasts of many hospitals and health clubs/ gymnasiums.

There is an open air theatre / amphitheatre in Kankaria area.

This is the constituency from where the Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was elected.

Just like rest of Ahmedabad, Maninagar too has significant levels of atmospheric pollution, and is in urgent need of attention from authorities. But now the gradual decrease in the pollution can be seen because of the auto-rickshaws and buses running on Compressed Natural Gas.

This is also one of the fastest-developing areas of the city. It is host to a zoo named as Kamla Nehru Zoo and Balvatika (children's playground). Balvatika is a playground for children with many activities.It also hosts a museum named after Rubin David. It also houses the famous Jal-Dhara Waterpark. This is the only waterpark within city. There is also an Aquarium near the Kankaria lake. Maninagar has many local, state and national banks. Maninagar also has a water-park. Maninagar hosts a large school and university student population. There is a big AMTS bus station in the Maninagar West. A prominent fire station is also located in Maninagar west.

Maninagar itself does not have any boundaries and can be extended up to surrounding areas such as Kokhra-Mehmdavad, Ghodasar, Dakshini, Gomtipur, Kankaria, Raipur etc. Maninagar can also be divided according to the same areas mentioned above.