lonar crater trek

Lonar Crater Lake Trek

• An unexplored cosmic marvel in Maharashtra

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The Guide To Lonar Crater Lake Trek

• The last thing one would expect to see in the humble Buldwana district of Maharashtra is a 50,000-year-old cosmically created crater lake. Beauty, science, religion – the 6 km perimeter of the Lonar Crater Lake has many more aspects still waiting to be explored. Situated 8 km from Mumbai, this trek makes for a perfect weekend adventure.

Lonar Crater Lake has slowly gained interest, not just among scientists, but among trekkers as well. It is the only hypervelocity-natural-impact crater lake in basaltic rock in the world. The uniqueness of the alkaline lake has further led people to attach religious sentiments to it. Hence, there are a few beautiful temples around the lake that add to the charm.

• Lonar Crater Lake Trek goes by a 50,000 years old saline soda lake formed by a meteor impact. Apart from the natural beauty of the lake, one can indulge in wildlife as well as Hindu temples located on the rim of the crater.

Trail Information

The last thing one would expect to see in the humble Buldwana district of Maharashtra is a 50,000-year-old cosmically created crater lake. Beauty, science, religion – the 6 km perimeter of the Lonar Crater Lake has many more aspects still waiting to be explored. Situated 8 km from Mumbai, this trek makes for a perfect weekend adventure.  

How to Do Lonar Crater Lake Trek

This trek involves covering the 6 km perimeter of the lake. Every section of the lake has a different experience to offer. There are multiple starting points to the lake. Start the trek from Maharastra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Hotel. The practical approach, which first goes to Kamalika Devi Temple, tends to be crowded. The hotel is next to Crater Lake, connected by a motor road.

Get started by walking to your right. You’ll approach the initial climb to the top of the lake’s outer wall. As you cross this outer wall, the view of the cocooned algae-ridden green lake is one-of-a-kind. It takes you back in time by 50,000 years, when a rapid meteorite swooshed down and the impact of its collision created a huge dent on the face of the Earth. One can only imagine the intensity of its blow! This scientific wonder is surrounded by a canopy of forest cover, which is quite dense in a few sections.

Descend towards the sparsely forested bank of the lake. This section is easy to find. There is a depression in the inner wall of the lake. There might be a rotting smell of the alkaline lake, but this becomes more distinct after you have walked around 200 m. Take an anti-clockwise approach while trekking around the lake. Look for a small trail that goes into a densely forested bank on your right. The trail gets more picturesque as it passes a series of standalone ruins from the yesteryear. There are a series of small rivulets that flow down to the lake. The trail vanishes at a few sections owing to dense forest cover.

One can either find a way through the dense forest or climb towards a higher section of the crater. On the opposite side of the lake is an ancient temple of Kamalja Devi. Hike towards the temple complex, with the lake remaining on your left. This section of the hike is the most scenic one. As you reach the banks of Kamalja Devi temple, look for exquisite wall carvings. The walk from here passes a series of mini waterfalls that appear only during monsoon season.

One can add another excursion to their trek by climbing up to the Gomukh Temple, from where the view is grand. There is a bridge on the trail that leads one to the staircase of the temple. However, it might be crowded with devotees. From here, walk up and reconnect with the motor road as you leave the crater lake behind. A kilometre hike along the road will have you reach the MTDC Hotel.

Maps and Charts

What to Pack for the trek

No, stuffing it all in isn’t the right way to do it Packing a backpack correctly saves precious time that you might waste trying to find your things later. It is wise to spend some time learning what really goes into packing a backpack.

What should I pack?

On a trek, you only get what you take. Something as simple as a forgotten matchbox can cripple your cooking plans throughout the trek. So, it’s essential to prepare early and prepare well. To begin with, make a checklist. While shopping, remember this thumb rule - keep it light. “Every item needs to be light. This ensures that your backpack, on the whole, stays light,” says Sandhya UC, co-founder of Indiahikes. Balancing out heavy items with light ones isn’t going to have the same effect as having all light items. “Always opt for good quality, light items,” says Sandhya.

How much should my bag weigh?

“Your backpack for a weekend trek should weigh between 8 and 10 kg,” explains Arjun Majumdar, co-founder of Indiahikes, “To break it down, your tent should weigh around 2.5 kg, your sleeping bag, around 1.5 kg, and the ration, stove and clothes should constitute the other 5 kg.” The best way to plan is by concentrating on the basic necessities – food, shelter and clothes. Gather only those things that you’ll need to survive. Do not pack for ‘if’ situations. “That’s one of the common mistakes that people make – packing for ‘if situations’. It only adds to the baggage that you can do without on a trek,” says Sandhya.

One good way to go about it is to prepare a list of absolute essentials. Start with the most essential and end with the least essential. That way, when you feel you are overshooting the limit, you can start eliminating from the bottom. Another tip is to be smart while packing clothes. Invest in light. wash and wear fabrics. "Replace a sweater with two t-shirts," adds Sandhya. Layering is the mantra when it comes to trekking. Refer to Sandhya’s clothes list to pack smart.

Packing hack for a trek

How to pack

The thumb rule for this one is to eliminate air spaces. Make sure that everything is packed tightly, especially clothes and jackets, as they tend to take up maximum air space. Put in all the large items first. Then squeeze in the smaller ones in the gaps. This ensures minimum air space. A good way to pack clothes is by using the Ranger Roll method.

Where to pack

Bottom Sleeping bag : Make this your base layer. Sleeping bags tend to be voluminous, but do not weigh much. They’re perfect for the bottom of the bag. Tent : Just like the sleeping bag, even tents are voluminous and light. Keep the tent poles separately and place the fabric at the bottom of the backpack. Middle Heavy jacket : Roll up the jacket in a tight ball and place it in the middle of the backpack, close to your back. The middle region of the backpack should always have the heaviest items. You can store other things like ration or mini stoves in the middle. Other clothes : Roll other clothes and place them in the remaining space, to fill air gaps.

Top Water : Water, although heavy, needs to be easily accessible. So put it in the top most region of your backpack. Medicine box : This is another component that you wouldn’t want to be scavenging for when in need. Poncho : It could rain at any time in the mountains. So, ponchos should be accessible easily. Also, having a waterproof poncho at the top of the backpack provides additional waterproofing to items in the bag.

Backpack essentials

How to Get Fit for the trek

Cardiovascular endurance

The secret to ascending any trail lies in building your cardiovascular endurance. You can begin by jogging every day. Ideally, you should be able to jog 4 km in 20 minutes before the start of the trek. It takes time to be able to cover this distance in the given time. Start slow and increase your pace every day. Swimming, cycling and stair climbing without too many breaks in between can help too. Strength This is another area you should work on. You will need to build strength in your muscles and in your core body. You can do some squats to strengthen your leg muscles. Do around 3 sets of squats, with 8 squats in each set. Apart from this, you can add planks and crunches to your workout.

Flexibility

Another aspect that will help you trek comfortably is flexibility. For this, you can do some stretching exercises - stretch your hamstrings, quadriceps, hip flexors, lower back muscles and shoulders regularly. Carrying a backpack, however light, can become a strain after a while. These exercises will help you to be in good shape before the trek. Working out indoors.

If you can't go out and jog because of time and space constraints, here's a video you can use to work out indoors.

Trek Contribution

Author: Vaibhav Chauhan

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Lonar crater lake

Top ways to experience Lonar crater lake and nearby attractions

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Lonar crater lake - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Dec 9, 2023

Visiting the Majestic Lonar Crater Lake - A Complete Guide

India is home to many natural wonders, one of them being the Lonar Crater located in Maharashtra. As a major tourist attraction, many people wonder - how to go to Lonar. From transportation to accommodation, this comprehensive guide shares my experiences to help you plan your own trip to this magnificent site.

Nestled amongst the lush green forests of Buldhana district, Lonar crater is the world’s third largest natural crater formed by a meteorite hit nearly 50,000 years ago. This saltwater lake is a sight to behold with its clear blue-green waters set against the reddish-brown crater walls. The juxtaposition of a perennial water body amidst dry deciduous forest makes it a unique ecosystem.

As a nature lover and avid traveller, visiting Lonar has been on my bucket list for years. I finally made the trip last winter and want to share everything I learned to help fellow visitors.

Getting There

Lonar is 420 km from Mumbai and 140 km from Aurangabad. The nearest railhead is Jalna which is 90 km away. While public transport is limited, here are some convenient ways to reach Lonar:

Flight/Train to Aurangabad:  The closest major city, well connected by flight and train. From here you can hire a taxi or take a bus.

Private taxi:  Hire a taxi from any major city like Mumbai or Pune. Allows flexibility but is expensive.

Own vehicle:  Drive your own car or bike. Gives freedom but tiring for long distances.

Bus:  There are MSRTC buses every hour from the Aurangabad central bus stand. The cheapest option for budget travelers.

I took an overnight train to Jalna and then hired an auto to cover the last stretch. But driving my own car would have been more comfortable.

Where to Stay

Lonar has limited stay options, mostly simple guest houses and lodges costing ₹500-2000 per night. I stayed at a family-run guest house which was humble yet neat and hospitable. Some popular options are:

MTDC Holiday Resort:  Decent rooms with a restaurant

Lonar Tourist Complex:  Budget rooms set around a garden

Hotel Sunil:  Basic but inexpensive rooms to crash for the night

Sai Plaza Hotel:  Small lodge with a hometown vibe

Book in advance during holidays when tourist influx peaks. Be prepared for basic amenities only even at higher-end places. Carrying some snacks helps as dining choices are limited.

When to Visit

The serene lake and green forest make Lonar beautiful all year round. But the best time depends on what you want to experience:

Monsoons (July-Oct):  The forest comes alive making it perfect for nature lovers. However, heavy rains can restrict outdoor activities.

Winters (Nov-Feb):  Pleasant weather, lush greenery, and migratory birds make it ideal for photography and sightseeing.

Summers (Mar-June):  Avoid if possible as the heat is exhausting. The water level also reduced substantially.

I visited in December which was wonderful. But the post-monsoon landscape would be a treat for nature photographers.

What to See and Do

While the lake itself leaves one awestruck, there are several archaeological and natural sites to explore:

Crater Lake:  Walk along the circumference (7 km) to fully admire the vast jade-green waters encircled by towering basalt walls.

Daitya Sudan temple:  An old ornate temple dedicated to Vishnu’s incarnation Lord Narasimha.

Kamalja temple:  Scenic Shiva temple overlooking the lake. Built-in Hemadpanti architectural style using no cementing agent.

Museum:  Showcases artifacts found around the crater giving insights into history. Worth a dekko after temple visits.

Tracking:  Hike through the thick Sal forests abundant in wildlife. Guides are available for company and safety.

Boat Ride:  Float leisurely on the lake enjoying the greenery while spotting some aquatic life. Very relaxing!

There’s much to soak in across landscape, history, architecture, wildlife and culture. You need minimal of 2 days to explore without feeling rushed.

Also read - Reaching Chiplun - My Journey to this Scenic Town in Maharashtra

Traveling Responsibly

While tourism creates livelihoods, it also leaves an impact on any destination. As responsible travelers, we must be mindful of preserving Lonar’s ecology and local lifestyle. Here are a few ways to make your visit sustainable:

Support local businesses for food, stay and transport

Do not litter, plastic usage must be limited

Stay on designated trails when trekking

Say no to activities disturbing wildlife

Respect local culture and etiquette

Follow rules and regulations at all sites

Small mindful actions go a long way in conserving Lonar’s splendor for generations to come.

An Unforgettable Spectacle

In ancient legends, Lonar was formed by a falling god’s teardrop. As I gazed spellbound at the vibrant green waters contrasting the sterile crater walls, I understood why such mystical stories exist! This geological marvel is truly a traveler’s delight.

I hope this guide helps you plan your trip to Lonar. Let the picturesque landscape and historical sites leave you with memories to cherish forever. Feel free to save questions for the comments. Happy journeying

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Lonar crater lake

Top ways to experience Lonar crater lake and nearby attractions

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Science, spirituality, history, nature, adventure, and a lake formed by an extra-terrestrial activity some 50000 years ago – just the stuff outdoor lovers dig! A trip to the Lonar Crater Lake will surely fill you with awe and surprise, as this is one of those places that leave the mind asking a lot of questions while satiating one’s need for adventure.

Lonar is a small town located in the Buldhana District of Maharashtra, some 500 KM from Mumbai. A geological event that occurred here in the Pleistocene Epoch (informally called the Ice Age), caused this place to be of great scientific interest, and rightfully so. A tour to the Lonar Crater Lake would familiarise you with the fact that this crater was formed by either a comet or asteroid impact.

Lonar Crater is one of the most interesting exploration sites in Maharashtra, and in addition to treating one to this unique spectacle, it also offers the chance to bring out the adventurer in you. The entire tour includes two days of trekking, visiting old temples, and places of historical significance. This tour to the Lonar Crater Lake is totally offbeat and promises oodles of fun, adventure and rejuvenation.

Day 0 to Day 1: Overnight Train from Mumbai to Jalna (8 th September - Friday), Lonal Crater Parikrama Trek Reach Jalna at 5:00 AM, on the morning of the 9 th , and proceed towards Buldhana. By 8:00 AM you will be in Lonar where you will be served breakfast at the hotel. After freshening up, there will be an introductory session for the Lonar Crater Lake Trip. Enjoy lunch after that and by 4:00 PM proceed to start the Lonar Parikrama Trek. Remember to click a lot of pictures. This trek will also give you the opportunity to explore the Daityasudan Temple among others. Evening will be spent at the hotel relishing tea and snacks, followed by dinner.

Day 2: Lonar Crater Exploration and journey back to Mumbai (10 th September - Sunday) On day 2 of the Lonar Crater Lake Tour you will wake up to a stunning sunrise. Enjoy your breakfast and trek down to the Lonar Crater and spend time exploring the area. After having spent some time there, head back to the hotel for check-out. Have your lunch and proceed towards Jalna. On the way, if there is enough time, you will be visiting the birthplace of Rajmata Jijabai. After that, head to the Jalna train station to catch Nanigram Express for your overnight journey to Mumbai.

Day 3: Arrival at CST Mumbai (11 th September - Monday) The exciting Lonar Crater Exploration in Mahrashtra comes to an end as you reach the CST station in Mumbai at 5:40 AM.

Package Details

Lonar crater trip, price (per person):   ` 3,950, duration:   3 days, cancellation policy   |   payment policy.

Departure Dates: 8 th September 2017 Grade: Easy

Inclusions:

Exclusions:.

1.    Non-AC Sleeper train tickets Mumbai-Jalna-Mumbai 2.    Private transfers Jalna-Lonar-Jalna 3.    Meals 4.    Non-AC dormitory accommodation at MTDC 5.    Guide charges  

• Food ordered in train journey
• Any personal expenses such as soft drinks etc.
• Anything other than above mentioned inclusion

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Lonar Lake: 500 km from Mumbai, This Cosmic Crater Lake Is A Marvel Hiding In Plain Sight 

Formed around 52,000 years ago as a result of a meteor striking the surface of the earth, the Lonar Lake is one of Maharashtra’s best-kept secrets. For perspective, the meteor weighed 2 million tons and was travelling at an estimated speed of 90,000 kmph.

Also read:  upvan lake

For many years, Lonar Crater was thought to be volcanic in origin, due to its location in a basalt field made from volcanic rock dating back 65 million years. However, the presence of maskelynite, a glass that is only formed from high velocity impact, points towards its extraterrestrial origin.

The Story of Lonar Lake

A more popular local story about the lake blissfully ignores science and goes on to state that Lonar Lake was formed when Lonasura, a mythical demon who used to harass and trouble local people so much so that Lord Vishnu descended to earth to vanquish him, was pushed back into the netherworld with tremendous force by Vishnu!

Most tourists come to nearby Aurangabad to visit the Ajanta and Ellora caves, but hardly make it to Lonar Crater. So, here are few reasons why Lonar Crater Lake needs to be on your bucket list:

• The Lonar crater is the best preserved impact crater formed in basalt rock and is the only one-of-its-kind on earth.

From the number of meteors that drop towards the Earth – anywhere from 30,000 to 1,50,000 each year – this one managed to create the Earth’s largest and only hyper-velocity impact crater in basaltic rock.

• Lonar Lake is an incredible place to witness migratory and local birds.

Shelduck, black-winged stilts, brahminy ducks, red-wattled lapwings, blue jays, bayaweavers, hoopoes, barn owls, golden oriole, larks, tailorbirds, parakeet and peafowl, spot them all at Lonar Crater!

• The Lonar Lake is an exceptional ‘bowl of unparalleled biodiversity’.

Along with migratory birds, gazelle, langur, bats, mongoose, barking deer and chinkara also inhabit the surrounding jungle spread with teak trees. A belt of large trees, about a mile broad, runs all round the Lonar Lake in rings of tamarind and babul trees.

You may also like to read: fateh sagar lake , jaisamand lake , highest lake in india

• Each of Lonar Crater’s temples is a world of its own, experience it!

The Ram Gaya temple, the Kamalja Devi temple, and the partially-submerged Shankar Ganesha temple, are all situated near the Lonar Lake. The most significant temple, however, sits in heart of the Lonar town – the Daitya Sudan temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu, exterminator of the demon Lonasura.

• The Lonar Lake trek adds to the charm of the place.

This trek involves covering the 6 km perimeter of Lonar Lake. Every section of the lake has a different experience to offer. There are multiple starting points to the trek, such as the Maharastra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) Hotel.

Read more about the trek here .

You can also explore the lost world of the Lonar Crater with Mumbai Travellers .

Credits: swati kulkarni

Lonar crater lake

The guide to lonar crater.

Lonar is a small town in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra.

How To Reach:

By Air: Aurangabad is the closest airport to Lonar.

By Train: More than 20 trains run between Mumbai and Aurangabad via Manmad Junction. A post-monsoon rail journey is the best to witness stunning views of the misty mountains, lush fields and waterfalls.

By Road: The central bus stand in Aurangabad is about 1km from the train station. Buses to Lonar ply via Jalna and take about 5 hours.

Where to Stay:

The MTDC Resort is closest to Lonar Lake and is a decent option for stay and food.

Best Time to Visit:

Winter (October to February) is the best time to visit Lonar Lake. The weather is mild, with clear skies, gentle breezes and average daytime temperatures that range between 12-25°C.

Ever been to Lonar Lake? Tell us about your own unusual travel experiences in the lesser-known destinations around India. Share your travel stories , photograph s and videos with like-minded travellers on Tripoto.

Lonar crater lake

Top ways to experience Lonar crater lake and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

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LONAR CRATER LAKE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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North east india food in mumbai : finally, cafés of western mumbai suburbs, temples of the lonar crater.

Almost slipping down the steep path to the lake, we saw the first of the 10 temples inside the Lonar Crater. The dense monsoon vegetation gave way to glimpses of a gorgeous temple made of stone. We reached closer to take pictures. It’s a Shiva Temple, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is working on its restoration. These temples were built during the Chalukya Dynasty’s rule, around the 8th/9th Century AD. What did the people think of the brackish lake waters? What did they do with it? Some say it has healing powers.

I tried to keep a track of the temples with the photographs, but failed, as time erased some memories. Too much information to keep track of! But here are my text notes:

1st temple in the forest trek : Shiv Temple : 9th Century by Chalukya Dynasty 2nd temple : Rama Temple : Chalukya Dynasty in the 9th Century AD 3rd Temple was full of bats. It was a Shiva Temple also 9th Century additions by the Yadavkalin Dynasty. 4th Temple : Shiv Temple 16 positions are shown carved in rock here. 5th : Padmavati Temple : It has regular Puja happening here. The goddess inside is Swambhu. 6th Temple : Shiv temple again. 7th Temple : Shiv Temple without the Shiv Lingam 8th : Shiv Temple 9th : Daitya Guru Shukra Acharya : He found Sanjeevini in Lonar Crater and would treat Daityas. This temple was his vaidyashala. 10th : Kumareshwar Temple also by Chalukya Dynasty. This is also a Shiv Temple.

The last temple on top is Gaumukh Temple made by Hoysala Kings. Later additions were made by Nana Saheb Peshwa and Ahilyabai Holkar.

Our visit to Lonar is posted here in an earlier article.

If you want to visit Lonar the way we did, you must hire Ramesh, our excellent local guide. We also tried to meet Mr ST Bugdane, who has written a comprehensive book: Lonar – The Unique Indian Meteorite Crater in Basaltic Rock. But somehow the timings didn’t work out.

[box type=”success” width=”100%” ] When to visit: As is with most places in India, winters are the best time. Summers are too hot and the lake waters would be very low. Monsoons, it rains a lot.

Where to stay : MTDC has a fabulous and inexpensive hotel right next to the crater. That’s the best place to stay here, although there are a couple of lodges. Email us for numbers.

How to visit : Lonar is 4 hours by road from Aurangabad and 8 hours from Pune. Its about 12 from Mumbai.

How long to visit: Keep your visit to a minimum of three nights. The first night you reach and crash. The second day, start the day early for a 6am trek. It will take around 5 hours if you visit each of the ten temples in details. You need a third day to visit the other ancient temples in the town of Lonar. If you had a fourth day, you could drive around, its a beautiful place.

What to wear : Since much of the visit will be a trek through a forest, do be prepared, wear full sleeved clothes to avoid insect bites, wear good water resistant boots, since you will be walking n the muddy lake banks.

29 thoughts on “Temples Of The Lonar Crater”

Very good comprehensive list of temples. I did see some of them, not all. I am remembering the scorching heat then, we rested under some trees there.

yeah, it gets very hit here. We scorched around the crated, but the forest trails were life savers.

pl send me name and number of guide as well as hotels

for lonar pl i need it as soon as possible

Wow.. amazing temples.

Beautiful series of Great and so old temples !! Thnx for introducing

Thanks Yogi!

We were unnerved by the smell, got lost on the trail, panicked and dashed out of Lonar itself – unfortunately missing the Gaumukh temple. Ours was a total misadventure. Good post btw!

Haha! That smell of rotten eggs. Its actually not so bad after all.

I couldn’t see all the temples. Good that you made this list. Had gone there in rainy season so my pics have all the greenery in them. 🙂

Hi Nisha! The temples are awesome. We went just after the rains, so the weather was awesome and so was the greenery.

Such a unique place; great post. Thanks for sharing!

Thanks Rashmi!

It is great that the Gaumukh Temple is located right at the end of the trek for its pool refreshes pilgrims alike. I really like that relief carved using the hoof print. Does that mean the temple where that panel sits is a Shiva temple?

Hi Bama! No not necessarily, I guess the Cow is a universal holy animal. so not sure if hoof-prints specifically signify Shiva Temple.

really nice blog very informative…

Thanks Arun!

Great guide on the Temples of Lonar. Definitely looking this post up when we plan a trip to the Crater

Thanks! Its a place really worth visiting.

Beautiful temples and you described the post so well. The pictures were so good that I even tried to feel the journey. Just awesome 🙂

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Lovely post. I had heard of the Lonar crater but these temples are a surprise. Looks lovely and after the rain it would be magnificent ! What’s the best time to visit ?

Winters and just after the rains! Summers would be blazing hot…

These temples seem really awesome and amazing! Is it possible to enter all of them and is there an entrance fee?

Hi Agness! Yes yrs possible to enter all of them, and there is no entrance fee! If ever you wZnt to visit, do send me a mIl and I will connect you to the right guide.

The list indeed sounds endless! Good to see so many of them, though.

i saw a mud path leading down to the padmavati temple. Did not see any steps. Where are they ? Do they do go all the way down ? Would be useful for elderly people.

Can you please help with the contact details of guide. Thanks for such a great description of the place

I like to visit spiritual places. You have described the temples accurately in this post. These temples are situated amidst greenery. Also, it is the best place to visit for nature lovers.

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Nashik, holy city : what to see, cotigao wildlife sanctuary, goa, deogarh palace, rajasthan : a hidden jewel.