LONAR CRATER LAKE Location : District Buldhana, near Aurangabad City Created By : Collision of Meteorite with earth 52,000 years ago. Flora and Fauna : Peacock, Monitor lizards, Lack Drongo, Eucalyptus Other Attractions : Saline Lake with 5,000 meter in diameter, 14 ancient temples.

Lonar Crater and Lake - A Dent on Earth

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Lonar Crater Lake

On the world map Lonar Crater is slowing carving its mark, as a third largest crater on earth in the Buldhana District of Maharashtra. This crater is the worlds oldest meteorite crater in the world and only meteorite crater in basaltic rock. It may appear unimpressive from a distance but once you catch the view of its curve you will leave only exploring its nook and corner. A beautiful saline lake inside this crater and thick forests around is a real visual delight. Visit this crater and you will see how the meteorite has affected the surface of earth.

Legends Believe

A sculpture on one of the temples inside the crater tells about the formation of Lonar. A demon named Lavansur (in Sanskrit Lavansur means salt) caused trouble to mother earth and one day earth requested the Lord Vishnu to kill the demon. The Vishnu came in the form of child and killed demon with a little damage to earth. Demon went inside the earth and died there. After some time a salt lake formed on the spot and came to be known as Lonar, actually Lavanar in Sanskrit meaning Demon Lavansur. Within the slope of Lonar there are as many as 14 temples and oldest one is 1300 years old.

How the Crater Was Formed

The crater is believed to be formed by the sheer impact of the Meteorite weighing 2 million tones, 60 meters wide mass traveling at a speed of 90,000 kilometers per hour. This collision is said to have happened some 52,000 years ago creating a dent on earth at the sight of Lonar and is 1830 meters in diameter and 150 meters deep. To make such a crater 6 mega-tonne bombs are required. The imagination of the explosion is sufficient to chill your spine and crater is venerated as a goddess and is called goddess Lonar Devi.

Lake of Mysteries

Lonar Lake

There is a mystery associated with the lake flowing inside the crater, nobody can say how it remains full through the year, a stream feeds this crater but up to this date no outlet was found. The other puzzle is that lake has two distinct regions that never mix, an outer neutral and an inner alkaline region. Both support different flora and fauna.

The trek down the lake is really difficult to negotiate and it is always advisable to be cautious before you step because there may be a snake. The uneven surface and the dangerously wet surface of the lake's shore makes the walking quite challenging - a good treat for a trekking expedition.

The best time to visit this crater is during winters and time management is necessary as you cannot get down the hill in the scorching sun neither you can trek uphill after the dark. Carry your food along loads of water as it is not available there and climbing back is always tougher.

You can also visit a mini crater lying nearby also known as Little Lonar Crater that houses Amber Lake. This crater is also thought to have originated from the impact of the small piece of Meteorite that split from the main body before hitting the ground. The diameter of this crater is 1,100 feet or 340 meters.

Flora and Fauna of Lonar

Peacock at the Lonar Crater

The crater is rich in Bio-Diversity housing diverse population of flora and fauna. Home to variety of animal species and birds, most found are peacock, black drongo, little green bee eater, shrike, pipit, crane, hooper, monitor lizards, rabbit, deer, langur monkeys and snakes. Among the fauna you can find custard apple, eucalyptus, lemon grass, bamboo, teak and many other trees can be seen. Go down the thick forest and you will see the colorful birds and listen to their chirping it will be a pleasant experience.

How to Find Your Way

The Aurangabad is the closest city and in fact the base for visiting the wonder of Lonar Craters. The Airport, railway and roadways all have there transport service up to this city after that you can hire a taxi or roadways bus that takes you to this place. It is sure that after you listen and read about its beauty you will carve a fancy to reach there.