Lonar Crater Lake

Overview

Lonar Crater Lake in Maharashtra lies in a meteorite impact crater about 1.8 km across at the rim and roughly 137 metres deep, set in the basalt of the Deccan Plateau. The lake is saline and alkaline, and it is one of the world's few impact craters formed in basalt.

Estimates of its age vary, from tens of thousands of years to much older. It was designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance in November 2020 and is a National Geo-heritage monument. Around the rim stand temples, most of them ruined, including the Daitya Sudan Temple in Lonar town.

What to look for

• The view down to the lake from the rim
• The ruined temples around the crater
• The Daitya Sudan Temple, dedicated to Vishnu
• Birdlife around the lake; the water has sometimes turned pink

Visiting tips

• The descent to the lake is on a steep path: wear sturdy shoes and carry water.
• Go in the morning for cooler weather and good light.
• Lonar is about three and a half hours from Aurangabad, so plan it as a separate half-day.

Why visit with a private guide

A private guide shows you where to stand, when to arrive and what most visitors miss at Lonar Crater Lake, and fits the visit around the rest of your day.

More photographs

Nearby

Ajanta Caves Bibi Ka Maqbara Daulatabad Fort Kailasa Temple Aurangzeb Tomb