Lonar Crater Lake
A 50,000-year-old meteorite crater filled with both saltwater and freshwater — in the same lake
About This Place
50,000 years ago, a meteorite struck what is now Buldhana district of Maharashtra, creating a crater 1.8km in diameter and 150m deep. The resulting lake is scientifically unique in two ways: it is the world's only hypervelocity impact crater in basaltic rock (all others are in granite), and the lake contains both saltwater and freshwater zones with a sharp boundary, supporting entirely separate ecosystems on each side.
The lake changes colour seasonally — green, pink, and red at different times of year, depending on the algae populations. Around its rim, 13 temples dating from the 12th to 13th centuries are partly submerged, partly standing — Daitya Sudan Temple, Kamalja Devi Temple, and others that archaeologists are still studying.
Lonar is 5 hours from Aurangabad (near Ajanta and Ellora) and 7 hours from Nagpur. It receives fewer than 15,000 visitors per year despite being a Geological Survey of India national monument, a Ramsar-listed wetland, and scientifically analogous to craters on Mars. It is absurdly unknown.
Why Go Here
Why It\'s Still Hidden
"No rail access. 5 hours from the nearest city. Completely surreal and worth every hour."
How to Reach
Nearest city Aurangabad (140km, 3 hrs drive). Or fly to Nagpur (390km). No direct trains to Lonar — hire a car.
Must-Visit Places
Best spots near Lonar Crater Lake
natureLonar Crater Lake Rim Walk
Walk the full 6km crater rim trail for unobstructed views into the lake from every angle. The dual saltwater-freshwater chemistry makes the lake change colour — green, pink, and even red at different seasons depending on algae populations.
Monsoon (July–September) often turns the lake pink or reddish due to algae blooms — dramatic photography. Start the rim walk clockwise from the ASI museum.
landmarkDaitya Sudan Temple (12th Century)
A Hemadpanthi-style stone temple partially submerged at the crater lake's edge, its steps descending directly into the saline water. 12th-century carvings of apsaras, gods, and animals remain remarkably preserved despite centuries of submersion.
The temple is accessible via a 15-minute trail from the crater floor. Go at low-water season (April–June) when more of the carvings are exposed.
experienceASI Lonar Museum
A small but excellent Geological Survey of India museum at the crater rim, explaining the 50,000-year-old meteorite impact, the basaltic rock chemistry, and the Ramsar-listed wetland ecosystem.
The museum is free and often has a knowledgeable curator who gives informal explanations. Ask about the Mars crater comparison — Lonar's chemistry is used to model Martian craters.
landmarkKamalja Devi Temple
An ancient temple inside the crater on the lake shore — accessed via a steep descent trail (20 minutes). Local pilgrims visit on full moon nights, making the atmosphere quite different from the scientific wonder narrative of the day.
Full moon visits are spectacular — the lake glows and the temple is lit by oil lamps. Local buses bring pilgrims from nearby towns.
What to Do
Experiences in Lonar Crater Lake
Crater Descent & Lake Walk
Descend 150m into the crater via the main trail to the lake shore. Walk the inner crater floor, visit the submerged temples, and observe the unique chemistry of the lake where saltwater and freshwater ecosystems coexist.
Bird Watching at the Wetland
Lonar Lake is a Ramsar-listed wetland hosting flamingos, pelicans, grebes, and 160+ migratory species. The salt-freshwater boundary attracts species that don't coexist elsewhere.
Ajanta + Lonar Combined Day Trip
Ajanta Caves are 100km from Lonar — doable as a combined day trip or overnight. Pairing UNESCO rock-cut art with a 50,000-year-old meteorite crater makes for one of India's most intellectually rich single-day itineraries.
Travel Tips
Before you go
No direct trains to Lonar — hire a car from Aurangabad (140km, 3 hrs) or Nagpur (390km, 5 hrs). Aurangabad is better paired with Ajanta and Ellora.
The crater is scientifically significant — stick to marked trails inside to avoid damaging the fragile ecosystem.
Best visited October–March (dry season). Monsoon (July–September) sometimes causes algae blooms that turn the lake spectacular shades of pink and red.
Only 1–2 basic guesthouses exist in Lonar town — book ahead or day-trip from Aurangabad.
Combine with Ajanta Caves (100km) and Ellora Caves (160km) for a remarkable 4-day Maharashtra heritage circuit.
The lake has a dual pH — alkaline saline zone and a freshwater zone. Do NOT swim — the alkalinity is dangerous to skin.
At a Glance
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