The Lonar Lake crater is one of the few places on Earth where you can stand on the rim of a hole punched by a rock from space and look down at a green-brown lake fringed by thousand-year-old temples. It sits at Lonar, in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, inside hardened lava flows of the Deccan Plateau. In June 2020 the water briefly turned pink and made world news, and later that year the lake was added to the Ramsar list of internationally important wetlands.
Lonar Lake, in Buldhana district of Maharashtra, is a saline and alkaline lake held inside a meteorite-impact crater blasted into Deccan basalt tens of thousands of years ago. It is a notified National Geo-heritage Monument and, since July 2020, a Ramsar wetland, ringed by ruined Hemadpanti temples at the crater’s edge.
Key takeaways
- Lonar Lake lies at Lonar in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, inside a meteorite-impact crater in Deccan basalt; its rim is about 1.8 km across and the floor sits roughly 130–150 m below it.
- The crater’s age is debated: a widely cited figure is about 52,000 years, while a 2010 study argues for about 570,000 years. Treat any single number as an estimate.
- Lonar became a Ramsar site (No. 2441) on 22 July 2020, covering 427 hectares, Maharashtra’s second Ramsar wetland after Nandur Madhmeshwar.
- In early June 2020 the lake turned pink; a government-ordered probe by the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, attributed the colour to salt-loving Haloarchaea microbes, and it faded with the monsoon.
- The best season is October to March; Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) is the usual gateway, about 140–150 km and roughly 3 hours by road.
- MTDC runs a resort about 2 km from the crater; the crater descent is a steep walk best done early and, where offered, with a local guide.
Lonar Lake at a glance
Lonar Lake is a closed-basin crater lake at Lonar town in Buldhana district, Maharashtra, formed when a meteorite struck the Deccan basalt. The Buldhana district administration lists its position as about 19.9758° N, 76.5069° E and describes it as a lake created by a meteorite in alkaline water, the only major impact crater in basalt rock.
The crater is near-circular. According to Incredible India, the official tourism portal, it is more than 1.8 km across and about 150 m deep, with several ancient temples around the water. Figures vary between sources, so the numbers below are best read as a consistent range rather than exact survey values.
| Location | Lonar, Buldhana district, Maharashtra |
|---|---|
| Type | Saline, alkaline crater lake in Deccan basalt (closed basin) |
| Origin | Meteorite (hyper-velocity) impact |
| Age (disputed) | ~52,000 years (older estimate); ~570,000 years (2010 study) |
| Rim diameter | About 1.8 km |
| Depth below rim | About 130–150 m |
| Protected status | National Geo-heritage Monument; Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary; Ramsar site No. 2441 (2020) |
| Opening hours | 6 am–6 pm (Incredible India) |
| Best season | October to March |
How the Lonar Lake crater formed
The Lonar Lake crater was gouged out by a meteorite slamming into the basalt of the Deccan Plateau, not by a volcano. The lava flows themselves are far older, laid down by huge eruptions about 65 million years ago, but the crater is a separate, much later event. For years geologists argued over whether the bowl was volcanic or impact-made, because basalt country usually points to volcanoes.
The impact case was settled by the rocks. According to NASA’s Earth Observatory, scientists in the 1970s confirmed the presence of maskelynite, “a naturally occurring glass that is only formed by extremely high-velocity impacts,” and Incredible India notes shatter cones near the site — both classic fingerprints of a meteorite strike. The United States Geological Survey, the Geological Society of India, the Physical Research Laboratory and the Smithsonian Institution have all studied the crater, per the Buldhana district administration.
The age is genuinely unsettled, so be wary of any single confident number. The Buldhana district page and Incredible India cite roughly 52,000 years (often written 52,000 ± 6,000). The same district page flags a 2010 research paper arguing for about 570,000 ± 47,000 years, and NASA gives a range of 35,000 to 50,000 years. Lonar is also unusual worldwide: it is one of only a handful of confirmed hyper-velocity impact craters sitting in basaltic rock.
Saline water and the 2020 pink event
Lonar’s water is both saline and alkaline, a chemistry created by the closed crater basin with no outlet, where minerals concentrate as water evaporates. This makes it a magnet for salt- and alkali-loving microbes, and it is why the lake occasionally changes colour. The water level and colour shift with the seasons as rain fills the basin and summer heat shrinks it.
The most dramatic change came in early June 2020, when the lake turned pink almost overnight. NASA’s Earth Observatory documented the shift using Landsat 8 images from 25 May and 10 June 2020, and at the time said scientists were still awaiting lab results, suggesting a rapid rise in salinity as evaporation dropped the water level. A later, government-ordered probe gave a clearer answer.
According to Deccan Herald’s reporting on that probe, the Agharkar Research Institute in Pune analysed samples and attributed the pink colour to a large presence of Haloarchaea — salt-loving microbes that produce a pink pigment and form a coloured mat on very saline water. The team said it had first suspected the red-pigmented alga Dunaliella but found Haloarchaea dominant. Low rainfall, high temperatures and reduced human activity during the 2020 lockdown were cited as drivers of the salinity spike. The colour was temporary and faded as the monsoon diluted the water.
Ramsar status and wildlife
Lonar Lake became a Ramsar site — a wetland of international importance — on 22 July 2020, listed as site No. 2441 covering 427 hectares. The Ramsar record describes it as a near-circular, endorheic (closed) basin formed by a meteorite impact on basalt bedrock, taking in the lake, the escarpments that form the crater walls, and forested zones. It is Maharashtra’s second Ramsar site, after the Nandur Madhmeshwar Bird Sanctuary in Nashik district.
The site matters for wildlife as well as geology. Ramsar documentation records around 160 bird species, including the vulnerable Asian woollyneck (a large stork), alongside reptiles and mammals, and highly saline, alkaline water supporting specialised microorganisms such as anaerobes, cyanobacteria and phytoplankton. The crater and its rim forest also lie within the Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary. The Ramsar listing names household sewage, urban wastewater and unsustainable tourism among the pressures on the wetland — a reminder to tread lightly.
The rim temples and the crater walk
Ancient temples ring the crater and dot its floor, and walking among them is as much the point of a Lonar visit as the lake itself. The grandest is the Daitya Sudan Temple in Lonar town, built in the Hemadpanti style (a dry-stone Deccan temple form using interlocked basalt blocks without mortar) and dedicated to Vishnu’s victory over the demon Lonasura, from whom the town takes its name. Dating is debated: the archaeologist Henry Cousens placed it around the late 13th to early 14th century CE, while a Maharashtra Tourism page attributes it to the Chalukya period; Cousens also thought it was never finished.
Inside and around the crater stand smaller, mostly ruined shrines. The Gomukh Temple (also called Sita Nahani) sits at the crater’s edge, known for a perennial stream that pours from a carved stone cow’s mouth; the Kamalja Devi Temple stands beside the lake; and a Hanuman (Sleeping Hanuman) temple lies close by, about 2.2 km from the MTDC resort. Other crater shrines include Wagh Mahadev and Mora Mahadev.
The crater walk is a steep descent from the rim down to the water and back, on rough, sometimes slippery paths. Allow two to three hours for a relaxed loop that takes in the lakeshore and a few temples, more if you circle further. Start early, carry water, and wear shoes with grip. Where a local guide is available, hiring one adds context and helps with route-finding, since signage is limited.
| Place | Where | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Daitya Sudan Temple | Lonar town centre | Hemadpanti carved-basalt temple to Vishnu; the best-preserved shrine |
| Gomukh / Sita Nahani | Crater edge | Stream from a stone cow’s mouth; viewpoint into the crater |
| Kamalja Devi Temple | Lakeside, crater floor | Active shrine beside the saline lake |
| Hanuman (Sleeping Hanuman) | ~2.2 km from MTDC resort | Reclining Hanuman idol; short detour |
| Crater rim walk | Full rim/floor loop | The lake, escarpments and ruined shrines together |
Best time to visit
October to March is the best time to visit Lonar, with cooler, drier weather for the crater descent. Monsoon (roughly June to September) makes the slopes muddy and slippery and the paths harder to follow, while summer is punishing — Incredible India records May highs around 46°C. Winter mornings are pleasant and clear, ideal for an early walk and birdwatching.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (best) | October–February | Cool, dry, clear; easiest crater descent; good birding |
| Summer | March–June | Very hot, highs up to about 46°C; walk only early morning |
| Monsoon | July–September | Green but slippery; paths hard to follow; crater fills |
How to reach Lonar
The usual gateway to Lonar is Aurangabad (officially Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), about 140–150 km and roughly 3 hours away by road. The MTDC listing puts Aurangabad’s airport about 137 km from Lonar and Jalna, a closer railhead, is around 90 km per Maharashtra Tourism; the Buldhana district page names Partur and Jalna as the nearest stations. Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) buses serve Lonar’s bus stand, and taxis run from Aurangabad and nearby towns. Plan your route using our Maharashtra travel guide and base yourself around the city with our Aurangabad travel guide.
| Mode | Nearest hub | Approx. distance / note |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) airport | ~137–140 km; then taxi/bus (~3 hr) |
| Rail | Jalna / Partur stations | Jalna ~90 km; Partur also close |
| Road | Aurangabad by car/taxi | ~140–150 km, ~3 hr; MSRTC buses to Lonar stand |
Where to stay
The most convenient base is the MTDC Lonar resort, the state tourism corporation’s property about 2 km from the crater on state highway MSH 171. Its booking page lists check-in at 11 am and check-out at 10 am. It is handy for an early crater walk, though some visitors have reported basic facilities and occasional power cuts, so keep expectations modest and carry essentials.
Beyond MTDC, Lonar town has a small number of budget lodges and guesthouses; for a wider choice of mid-range and better hotels, many travellers stay in Aurangabad and do Lonar as a long day trip or an overnight. Rooms are limited near the crater, so book ahead on weekends and during the October-to-March season.
- Budget: Lonar town lodges and guesthouses — indicative ~₹800–1,500 a night (planning estimate, reconfirm).
- Mid-range: MTDC Lonar resort — indicative ~₹2,000–3,500 a night (planning estimate; check the official MTDC site).
- Comfort: Aurangabad hotels — a wider spread from ~₹2,500 upward, for those basing in the city.
Budget for a Lonar trip
A simple overnight at Lonar from Aurangabad can be done on a modest budget, since the crater’s main cost is transport and a room. The table below is a planning estimate per person for a two-day, one-night trip, assuming a shared taxi or bus from Aurangabad and a mid-range room; reconfirm all prices before you travel, as these were not verified against a live tariff.
| Item | Estimate (₹) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transport (Aurangabad–Lonar return) | 800–2,000 | Bus cheapest; shared taxi mid; private taxi higher |
| Stay (1 night) | 800–3,500 | Budget lodge to MTDC room; per-room, split if sharing |
| Food (2 days) | 400–800 | Simple local meals |
| Guide / local transport | 300–700 | Optional local guide and auto hops |
| Rough total | 2,300–7,000 | Lower end bus + budget room; higher end private taxi + MTDC |
Rules and responsible travel
Lonar carries three overlapping protections, so it is not an ordinary picnic spot: a notified National Geo-heritage Monument, a Ramsar wetland, and the Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary. In practice this means leaving the rocks, geology and plants undisturbed, carrying your litter back out, and not bathing in or polluting the saline water. The Ramsar listing itself flags sewage and unsustainable tourism as threats, so responsible behaviour directly helps the site.
We could not verify a current entry fee or a fixed guided-descent charge from an official source this session, so treat any figure quoted locally as to be confirmed on the spot. The crater descent is a self-guided or locally guided walk rather than a ticketed trail; where guides are available, they help with safety and orientation on the steep, unmarked paths. Respect active temples as places of worship and ask before photographing people.
Practical tips
Come prepared for a hot, rough, remote site with limited services. Carry enough drinking water and sun protection, since the crater floor can be baking even in winter afternoons, and wear sturdy shoes with grip for the loose descent. Mobile coverage and ATMs are limited in Lonar, so carry some cash and do not count on card or UPI everywhere.
- Timing: start the crater walk early (gates are listed as 6 am–6 pm) to beat the heat and have time for the temples.
- Health and safety: the descent is steep and can be slippery; go slowly, and avoid the monsoon months for the walk. Solo travellers and women may prefer to walk with others or a guide, as the lower crater is quiet.
- Cash and connectivity: carry cash, keep phones charged, and expect patchy signal.
- Packing: water, snacks, sunhat, sunscreen, a torch, and shoes you can scramble in; a hat and light layers for winter mornings.
Nearby places
Lonar pairs naturally with the heritage circuit around Aurangabad, which has its own airport and UNESCO-listed caves. The distances below are approximate road figures via Aurangabad; use them to plan a loop rather than as exact mileage.
| Place | Approx. distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar) | ~140–150 km | Gateway city; Bibi ka Maqbara, caves, hotels — see our Aurangabad travel guide |
| Ajanta Caves | ~140 km | UNESCO rock-cut Buddhist caves and murals |
| Ellora Caves | ~180 km (via Aurangabad) | UNESCO cave complex incl. the Kailasa temple |
| Grishneshwar Temple | ~180 km (via Aurangabad) | Jyotirlinga shrine near Ellora |
| Shegaon | Day-trip from Buldhana side | Gajanan Maharaj temple town (confirm route and distance locally) |
Frequently asked questions
How was Lonar Lake crater formed?
Lonar Lake crater was formed by a meteorite striking the Deccan basalt at very high speed, not by a volcano. Scientists confirmed the impact origin in the 1970s through maskelynite, an impact-formed glass, and shatter cones near the site, per NASA’s Earth Observatory and Incredible India. The Deccan lava itself is far older.
How old is the Lonar crater?
The Lonar crater’s age is disputed. A widely repeated estimate is about 52,000 years, cited by the Buldhana district administration and Incredible India, while a 2010 study argues for roughly 570,000 years, and NASA gives 35,000 to 50,000 years. Treat any single figure as an estimate, not a settled fact.
Why did Lonar Lake turn pink in 2020?
Lonar Lake turned pink in June 2020 because of salt-loving Haloarchaea microbes that produce a pink pigment. A probe by the Agharkar Research Institute, Pune, reported by Deccan Herald, found these dominant after low rainfall, high heat and reduced lockdown activity raised the water’s salinity. The colour was temporary and faded with the monsoon.
Is Lonar Lake a Ramsar site?
Yes. Lonar Lake was designated a Ramsar wetland of international importance on 22 July 2020, as site No. 2441 covering 427 hectares. It is Maharashtra’s second Ramsar site, after Nandur Madhmeshwar in Nashik district. The listing covers the lake, the crater escarpments and surrounding forest, which also form the Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary.
What is the best time to visit Lonar Lake?
The best time to visit Lonar Lake is October to March, when the weather is cool and dry and the steep crater descent is easiest. Avoid the monsoon, when paths turn slippery and hard to follow, and summer, when Incredible India records highs near 46°C. Early mornings are best for the walk and birdwatching.
How do I reach Lonar Lake from Aurangabad?
From Aurangabad (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), Lonar is about 140–150 km and roughly 3 hours by road. You can take an MSRTC bus or hire a taxi; Aurangabad has the nearest airport, and Jalna, about 90 km away, is the closer railhead. Lonar’s bus stand is served by regular state transport buses.
Last updated and sources
Lonar suits travellers curious about Earth science and old temples who do not mind a basic, remote base and a steep walk; go between October and March, start early, and pair it with Aurangabad’s caves. It is a genuinely rare sight — a meteorite scar you can walk into.
Last updated: 15 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Buldhana District Administration — Lonar Lake; Maharashtra Tourism — Lonar Crater; Incredible India — Lonar Crater Lake; Ramsar Sites Information Service — Lonar Lake (Site No. 2441); NASA Earth Observatory — Lonar Lake Tries On a Rosy Color; Deccan Herald — Lonar lake turned pink due to Haloarchaea microbes: probe; MTDC — Lonar resort; Daitya Sudan Temple (for Cousens dating). Accessed October 2026.
