Introduction:
Lonar Lake is located in the Buldhana
district of Maharashtra. It is believed to have formed about 50,000 years ago,
and some researchers believe it is older than 50,000 years. This lake was formed
by a Meteorite impact, and this impact was so huge. Because of that, the
diameter is about 1.8 km.
The Uniqueness of this Lake is. It is created by Basalt (Volcanic) Rock. And it's one of the few crater lakes in the world. In India, Scientists have confirmed that about 3 Meteorite impact craters are available.
- Lonar Lake(crater).
- Dhala crater.
- Ramgarh crater.
- Luna crater (Gujarat) is Under Study.
Formation of Lonar Lake:
It is believed
that Lonar Lake was formed about 50,000 years ago. When a massive meteorite hit
the Earth. Due to the high speed of the meteorite
impact, it created a crater 1.8 km in diameter and about 150 meters deep.
Many Scientific Organizations and Researchers from India and abroad, like the Geological Survey of India and NASA, have studied this crater.
Uniqueness of Lonar Lake:
- Pink colour water: In
2020, the lake water turned pink overnight due to a large population of
Haloarchaea Microbes.
- Saline and Alkaline water: The lake water is both saline and alkaline; it is a unique ecosystem. This will not be found anywhere else on Earth.
- Age: Approximately 50,000 years, and somewhere 52,000 years also mentions ( and some studies also suggest it could be older).
 |
| Lonar Crater Lake |
- Magnetic field: Near the lake,
a compass won’t work properly. Some scientist says meteorite could be present
under the lake. Because of this, the magnetic field may be disturbed.
Historical and Cultural Importance:
Around the lake,
there are many ancient temples.
- Daitya Sudan Temple:
 |
| Lord Vishnu, Daitya Sudan Temple |
 |
| Daitya Sudan Temple |
- Gomukh Temple:
Gomukh means cow’s
mouth.
The Mysteries and perennial
stream flow from the stone cow’s mouth.
 |
| Gomukh Temple |
 |
| Gomukh Temple |
- Chalukya Era Shri Kamalja Devi Temple:
This 5th-century
temple is dedicated to Mata Padmavati.
 |
| Shri Kamalja Devi Temple |
Same Scientific Reports:
Reasons
behind the pink water of Lonar Lake.
After testing a water sample by the Nagpur-based National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) and Agharkar Research Institute, Pune.
It has been assumed that the absence of rain, less human interference, and high temperature resulted in the evaporation of water, which increased its salinity and pH.
The
increased salinity and pH facilitated the growth of halophilic microbes, mainly
Haloarchaea.
Halophiles are a group of microorganisms that can grow and often
thrive in areas of high salt (NaCl) concentration.
Haloarchaea,
or halophilic archaea, are a bacterial culture that produce a pink pigment and
is found in water saturated with salt.
Because of
the biomass of Haloarchaea microbes, the water's surface turned red or
pink. As the biomass subsides, the colour will disappear.
The lake is now returning to its original colour as the rainy season has kicked in, diluting the water. The salinity and pH/alkalinity
levels have also come down, and green algae have started growing in the water
body.
Who can enjoy this place?
Those who want to
like trekking, Photography, are interested in geography, are science geeks,
spiritual travelers, nature lovers, and forests and wildlife
Lonar Lake Timings:
Opening
Time: 6:00 AM
Closing
Time: 6:00 PM
Entry
Fee:
Entry Fee:
Free
How to Reach Lonar Lake:
Location:
For the Google Maps location, click on the link.
https://share.google/fLkHtrpr2deA0snsu
(Lonar
town, Buldhana district, Maharashtra.)
- By Road (Best Option):
To reach
Lonar Lake, traveling by road is the most convenient way.
Distance from Major Cities:
|
City |
Distance |
Travel Time |
|
Shegaon |
117 km |
2 - 2.30 Hours |
|
Nagpur |
320 km |
6 – 7 hours |
|
Pune |
401 km |
8 – 9 hours |
|
Mumbai |
553 km |
10 – 11 hours |
|
Indore |
401 km |
8 – 9 hours |
|
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) |
140 km |
3 – 4 hours |
- By Bus:
Maharashtra
State Transport bus connectivity from all mention Railway Stations to Lonar
Lake is excellent, but don’t forget to check bus timings.
The roads
are generally good, and the journey is scenic.
Lonar Bus Stand is just 2–3 km from the lake.
From the bus
stand, you can easily find an auto-rickshaw. But many visitors prefer to walk down the crater trail to explore
the lake and temples
- By Train:
Lonar does
not have a direct railway station. The nearest stations are:
Nearest
Railway Stations.
|
Station |
Distance |
|
Shegaon Railway Station |
117 km |
|
Malkapur Railway Station |
110 km |
|
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) Railway Station |
140 km |
|
Jalna Railway Station |
96 km |
- By Air(No Direct Flight):
Lonar does not have its own Airport. The nearest airport is:
Aurangabad Airport (IXU):
Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Aurangabad) Airport (about 140 km):
Arrivals and Departure
Flights from:
- Mumbai
- Delhi
- Hyderabad
- Bangalore
Jalgaon Airport (JLG):
The nearest small airport is Jalgaon. (about 139 km from Lonar Lake).
Direct
Flights to Jalgaon from:
- Hyderabad
- Pune
- Mumbai
- Goa
Nagpur Airport (NAG):
The nearest major airport is Nagpur Airport.
(about 5 hrs. from Lonar).
Arrivals and
Departure Flights from:
- Pune
- New Delhi
- Hyderabad
- Mumbai
- Ahmedabad
- Bengaluru
- Jaipur
- Kishangarh
- Goa
 |
| Shri Kamalja Devi Temple |
Cost:
Let’s consider the longest route and calculate according to that; this cost includes the entire trip. Transportation cost can vary as per the private car, bus (AC/ nonAc), Train class (SL, 3AC, 2AC, etc.). This cost is for a moderate-budget traveler.
Distance: 550 km
|
Expense |
Approx Cost |
|
Bus/train travel |
₹1000 – ₹2,000 |
|
Local transport |
₹200 – ₹300 |
|
Food |
₹300 – ₹400 |
Total Cost:
₹1,500 – ₹2,700 per person
Optional Costs:
Some extra
costs visitors may spend on:
Guide: ₹300
– ₹500
Best Time to Visit:
The best
time to visit Lonar Lake is:
October to February. During winter, the weather is pleasant and ideal for walking around the crater.
The monsoon season also makes the surroundings beautiful and green.
Note:
Avoid peak summer because temperatures in this region can be very high. This place is best for trekkers because it is a moderate level of trekking. "What to Pack" checklist with affiliate links for trekking shoes and power banks. The trek is humid and rocky. Difficulty Level is Easy to moderate (Steep climb back up).
Wear Grip Shoes: The trail down
can be slippery and rocky.
Respect the Ecosystem: Lonar is a Ramsar Site(Ramsar Convention on Wetlands), so keep this place clean; using soap in the lake and leaving plastic behind is strictly prohibited.
Popular Nearby:
- Sindkhed Raja (42 km): The birthplace of Rajmata Jijau (mother of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj). It’s a huge draw for history lovers.
- Shegaon (119 km): Shri Gajanan Maharaj Temple
- Ellora Caves (178 km): A famous Ministry of Culture UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Ajanta Caves(154 km): 30 rock-cut
Buddhist cave monuments dating from
the second century BCE to about 480 CE
- Grishneshwar Temple(178km): Is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas
Q1. Why is Lonar Lake famous?
Ø Lonar Lake is famous because it was created by a meteorite impact, and it is one of the world’s few basaltic impact craters.
Q2. How old is Lonar Lake?
Ø Scientists estimate that Lonar Lake formed around 50,000 years ago.
Q3. Can tourists go inside the crater?
Ø Yes, visitors can trek down to the lake and explore the temples around it.
Q4. How much will a Lonar Lake trip cost per Person?
Ø Travel cost is around = 1500 to 2000/ Person.
Final Thoughts:
It is a perfect
combination of science, history, culture, religion, and nature. Lonar Lake is
one of India’s most fascinating natural places. With its unique geological
origin, beautiful surroundings, nature, and some mysterious things.
If you are interested in exploring
unusual destinations, then Lonar Lake should definitely be on your travel list.
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