Lonar Crater travel guide: India’s meteorite lake

This Lonar Crater travel guide covers one of India’s strangest natural sites: a near-circular lake sitting inside a roughly 50,000-year-old meteorite-impact crater in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra’s Vidarbha region. You get the impact-crater science, the saline-alkaline lake and its rim temples, the 2020 pink-water event explained factually, the rim trek and birding, plus how to reach, where to stay and what it costs.

Lonar Crater is a hypervelocity meteorite-impact crater in the Deccan basalt of Maharashtra, now a saline-alkaline lake notified as a Wildlife Sanctuary and a Ramsar wetland. It sits near Lonar town in Buldhana district, about 140 km from Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), and is ringed by ancient temples and a walkable rim.

About Lonar Crater and quick facts

Lonar is a small town on the eastern edge of the Deccan Plateau, in Buldhana district. The crater is a bowl punched into layers of basalt (the dark volcanic rock of the Deccan Traps), with a shallow lake at the bottom. The rim rises roughly 20 m above the surrounding plain, and the forested inner slopes drop to a green, strongly saline-alkaline lake.

According to the Buldhana district administration, the lake was created by a meteorite, and major institutions including the Smithsonian Institution, the United States Geological Survey, the Geological Society of India and the Physical Research Laboratory have studied it. The Maharashtra State Forest Department manages the surrounding Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary.

Here are the headline numbers, drawn from the sources listed at the end:

• Crater diameter: about 1.8 km, with a depth of roughly 150 m (per impact-crater references).
• Lake surface area: about 1.13 sq km; the lake itself is about 77.69 hectares within the sanctuary.
• Age: commonly cited as about 52,000 years (thermoluminescence dating); a 2010 argon-argon study suggested roughly 570,000 years, though that older figure is disputed.
• Water: saline and alkaline, with pH values generally in the range of about 9 to 10.5 (varying by season and location).

The impact-crater science and Ramsar status

What makes Lonar unusual is the rock it hit. Most well-studied impact craters sit in sedimentary or crystalline rock; Lonar is one of very few confirmed hypervelocity impact craters formed in basalt. That makes it a field analogue for studying impacts on other basaltic surfaces, including the Moon and Mars, which is why it draws geologists and planetary scientists.

The impact origin is supported by physical evidence such as shatter cones and shock-altered minerals (maskelynite) recovered from the basalt, as summarised in geo-heritage documentation. The crater was first brought to wider scientific notice in 1823 by a British officer, C.J.E. Alexander. Lonar was declared a National Geological Monument in 1979.

On conservation status, the lake and its catchment carry three layers of protection. The Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary, covering about 365.16 hectares, was notified on 8 June 2000 under the Maharashtra Forest Department. An Eco-Sensitive Zone around the sanctuary was notified in February 2017. In 2020 the wetland was added to the Ramsar list of Wetlands of International Importance (Site no. 2441, designated 22 July 2020), with a listed area of about 427 hectares.

The sanctuary is biologically rich for its size. Ramsar and forest-department figures record about 160 bird species, 46 reptile species and 12 mammal species, including the Indian grey wolf. If you are mapping a wider trip around the state’s protected areas, our guide to wildlife sanctuaries in India and the broader Maharashtra travel guide are good companions.

Best time to visit

The comfortable window is October to March, when the heat eases and migratory birds arrive. The monsoon (roughly June to September) turns the crater green and dramatic but makes the rim path slippery and leeches and mud more likely. Summer (April–June) is hot and exposed on the rim.

How to reach Lonar

Lonar is deep in the Marathwada–Vidarbha interior, so most travellers route through Aurangabad. According to the Buldhana district administration, the nearest airport is Aurangabad (about 140 km) and the nearest railheads are Partur and Jalna; MTDC lists Aurangabad as the convenient rail-and-air gateway.

By rail, Jalna is the handiest mainline station (on the Secunderabad–Manmad line of South Central Railway), with Aurangabad a short hop beyond. Malkapur and Shegaon, on the Mumbai–Nagpur Central Railway line, are other options roughly 100 km out. Always confirm current train names, numbers and timings on IRCTC or NTES close to travel, as services change.

By road, Maharashtra State Road Transport buses run to Lonar from Aurangabad, Buldhana, Jalna, Mehkar, Nagpur, Akola and Nanded. A hired taxi from Aurangabad is the simplest door-to-door option and lets you pair Lonar with Ajanta or Ellora. For planning the Aurangabad end of the trip, see our Aurangabad travel guide.

Things to see and do

Lonar is a half-day to full-day of walking, temple-spotting and birding rather than a ticketed attraction. The big draw is the crater itself and the ring of early-medieval temples on and below the rim.

Daitya Sudan Temple stands in Lonar town, not on the rim. It is a stone temple dedicated to Vishnu, attributed to the Chalukya period and built in the Hemadpanti style, with an irregular star-shaped plan and detailed carving. According to local legend it marks where Vishnu slew the asura Lonasura, which is said to give the town its name; treat that as legend rather than history.

Gomukh sits near the rim where a perennial stream flows from a carved spout down toward the crater floor; it is a natural pause point with wide views. Kamalja Devi temple, by the lake edge, is a working shrine, and the crater floor also holds other old and partly submerged temples such as Sita Nahani. The walk down to the water and back is the classic Lonar experience.

The rim trek loops the crater and also lets you descend to the lake. It is not a technical climb, but the descent is steep and rocky in places. Birding is excellent in winter, with ducks, waders, herons and smaller forest birds; carry binoculars.

The 2020 pink-water phenomenon

In June 2020 the lake turned from green to a reddish-pink within a few days, drawing national attention. Investigations led by the Agharkar Research Institute in Pune attributed the colour mainly to a bloom of salt-loving microbes called Haloarchaea (halophilic archaea), which produce a pink pigment. Related studies also noted elevated carotenoid pigments.

The trigger was a combination of low rainfall, high temperatures and reduced human activity during the 2020 lockdown, which raised evaporation and pushed the lake’s salinity and pH higher. Those conditions favoured the pink microbes. As the monsoon diluted the water and brought the salinity and alkalinity down, the lake returned to green. It is a periodic, natural phenomenon tied to water chemistry, not a one-off miracle.

A suggested two-day itinerary

Two days is comfortable and lets you avoid rushing the trek in the heat.

• Day 1 (afternoon arrival): Check in near the lake, visit the Daitya Sudan temple in town, then walk a section of the rim for sunset views.
• Day 2 (early start): Descend to the lake at dawn for birding and the floor temples, visit Gomukh and Kamalja Devi, then complete the rim loop before the midday heat. Depart after lunch.
• Add-on day: Pair Lonar with Sindkhed Raja or route out via Aurangabad for Ajanta and Ellora.

Where to stay

Lonar’s accommodation is limited and simple; book ahead in winter and on weekends. Options cluster around the lake and in the town.

• Government: MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) runs a resort at Lonar close to the lake, the most reliable mid-range choice. Reconfirm rates and availability on the MTDC booking channel.
• Budget lodges and guesthouses: basic rooms in Lonar town, roughly ₹800–₹1,800 per night (indicative planning estimate, as of October 2026 — reconfirm).
• Mid-range: MTDC and a few private resorts, roughly ₹2,000–₹4,000 per night (indicative — reconfirm).

There is little true luxury on site; travellers wanting higher-end hotels usually base in Aurangabad and day-trip, though that makes for long drives.

Food to try

Lonar sits in the Vidarbha–Marathwada belt, where the everyday food is largely vegetarian and can be fiery. Expect simple thalis rather than fine dining.

• Varhadi thali (the spicy Vidarbha-style plate of dal, vegetable, chapati or jowar bhakri and rice).
• Jowar/bajra bhakri (flatbread of sorghum or pearl millet) with zunka (a thick gram-flour and onion dish) or pithla (a softer gram-flour curry).
• Poha and sabudana khichdi (flattened rice, and a sago dish) for breakfast.
• Carry water and snacks for the trek; options on the rim are minimal.

Budget breakdown

Lonar is inexpensive once you are there; the main cost is reaching it. The table below is a planning estimate for two days and one night, per person, assuming two people sharing a room and a shared taxi from Aurangabad.

Costs exclude long-distance train or flight fares to Aurangabad/Jalna, which vary widely by season and booking date.

Permits, eco-rules and safety

No special entry permit (such as an Inner Line Permit) is needed to visit Lonar; it is open to Indian and foreign travellers. Because the lake is a Wildlife Sanctuary, Ramsar wetland and Eco-Sensitive Zone, forest-department rules apply around it. Any specific entry fee, guide charge or timing should be confirmed locally, as these are not consistently published and can change.

• Do not litter, light fires or play loud music; carry your waste out.
• Do not disturb birds, wildlife or temple structures; stay on established paths.
• Avoid bathing in or polluting the lake; its chemistry is fragile and the sanctuary already faces sewage and encroachment pressure.
• Drones and tripods may be restricted near protected areas and heritage structures; ask the forest office before flying, and follow DGCA rules.

Practical tips

A little preparation makes the trek easier and safer.

• Trek safety: the descent is steep and rocky with loose basalt. Wear grippy shoes, start early, and avoid the climb in peak afternoon heat or heavy rain. Do not descend alone late in the day.
• Network and cash: mobile coverage can be patchy in the crater; carry some cash as ATMs and reliable UPI are limited in a small town.
• Health: the nearest well-equipped hospitals are in larger towns such as Buldhana or Aurangabad; carry a basic first-aid kit, sun protection and plenty of water.
• Solo women: Lonar is a quiet temple town; daytime visits are generally straightforward, but do the trek with company and return to the rim before dark.
• Packing: winter mornings are cool (a light layer helps); summers need a hat and sunscreen; monsoon needs non-slip footwear and rain cover.

Nearby places

Lonar pairs naturally with Buldhana district’s pilgrimage sites and, a little further out, the Aurangabad cave circuit.

Frequently asked questions

How was Lonar Crater formed?

Lonar Crater formed when a meteorite struck the basalt of the Deccan Plateau, most commonly dated to about 52,000 years ago, though one study suggested a far older age that remains disputed. The impact left a near-circular crater about 1.8 km across and roughly 150 m deep, now holding a saline-alkaline lake.

Why did Lonar Lake turn pink in 2020?

In June 2020 Lonar Lake turned pink mainly because of a bloom of salt-loving Haloarchaea microbes, which produce a pink pigment. Low rainfall, high heat and reduced activity during lockdown raised the water’s salinity and pH, favouring the microbes. The colour faded back to green once monsoon rain diluted the lake.

What is the best time to visit Lonar Crater?

The best time to visit Lonar Crater is October to March, when the weather is cooler, views are clear and migratory birds gather at the lake. The monsoon (July–September) makes the crater lush but the descent slippery, and summer (April–June) is hot and exposed on the open rim.

How do I reach Lonar from Aurangabad?

Lonar is about 140 km from Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), its nearest airport and convenient rail gateway. You can take a Maharashtra State Road Transport bus or a hired taxi; the taxi is simplest and lets you combine Lonar with Ajanta or Ellora. Jalna is the nearest mainline railway station.

Is there an entry fee or permit for Lonar Crater?

No special permit such as an Inner Line Permit is needed to visit Lonar Crater. As it is a Wildlife Sanctuary and Ramsar wetland, forest-department rules apply, and any entry or guide charge should be confirmed locally, since fees and timings are not consistently published and can change.

Can you walk down to Lonar Lake?

Yes, a path descends from the crater rim to the lake and its floor temples, and it is the classic Lonar experience. The descent is steep and rocky with loose basalt, so wear grippy shoes, start early, carry water and climb back before the afternoon heat. Avoid the trek alone late in the day.

Last updated and sources

Go to Lonar if you like quiet, strange landscapes, old stone temples and birds rather than crowds and ticketed sights. Aim for a clear winter morning between October and March, give the rim and the descent a full half-day, and treat the lake’s chemistry and wildlife gently.

Last updated: 2 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.

Sources: Buldhana District Administration — Lonar Crater; Maharashtra Tourism — Lonar Crater; Ramsar Sites Information Service — Lonar Lake (Site 2441); Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary (Maharashtra Forest Department figures); Lonar Lake geology and dating references; Deccan Herald / Agharkar Research Institute on the 2020 pink water; Daitya Sudan Temple; Sindkhed Raja; MTDC Lonar. Accessed October 2026.

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