Lonar Crater Lake

National Geo Heritage Monument; Ramsar Site (2020); A Meteorite Impact Crater In Basalt · Lonar, Maharashtra

A crater about one and a quarter kilometres across in the Deccan plateau of Maharashtra, formed tens of thousands of years ago when a meteorite struck the basalt rock, and one of the best preserved impact craters in basalt anywhere, which is why geologists and astronomers study it and compare it to craters on the Moon and Mars. At the bottom lies a saline, alkaline lake, rich in unusual microorganisms; in 2020 its water turned pink for several days, a change linked to salt-loving microbes, and it made national news. The rim is ringed with forest and ancient temples, some half-ruined, including the Daitya Sudan temple in the town with its fine carving. A trail leads down from the rim to the lake shore in under an hour, past small shrines. The lake is a Ramsar wetland. It is remote, in Buldhana district several hours from Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, and sees modest numbers of visitors, often combined with a trip to Ajanta. Swimming is not allowed. The best time is after the monsoon, when the crater is green.

Lonar Crater, Buldhana District, Lonar, Maharashtra, 443302, India

NO OPENING TIME HERE WAS CHECKED. The typical pattern: the crater rim and viewpoints are open in daylight, and the descent trail is used from early morning to late afternoon, with the forest department controlling access; entry to the crater after dark is not permitted. The Daitya Sudan temple and other active shrines open from early morning to evening. Rules on trails and fees have changed over time because the crater is a sanctuary and Ramsar wetland. Traps: starting the descent in the midday heat, and arriving too late to go down. Confirm local access rules at the forest office.

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