Lonar- World’s third largest meteorite lake of India

TMI Tour to Lonar Crater-1

The crater was formed fifty-two thousand years ago, when a meteor crashed into the earth at an estimated speed of 90,000kmph, weighing 2 million tonnes. It gouged a hole that was 1.8km wide and 150m deep.

The crater has been described in many ancient texts such as RigVeda, Ramayana, Puranas etc. It finds mention in “Aaina-E-Akbari”. During the days of Emperor Akbar; a salt factory was located here. According to Sanskrit Literature, Lonar was called “Viraj Kshetra” in ancient times. It finds mention in “Viraj Mahatmya” a chapter in “Skanda Puran and Padma Puran”.Buldhana district in Maharashtra, where the lake is located, was once part of Ashoka’s empire and then of Satavahana’s. The Chalukyas and Rashtrakutas also ruled this area. During the period of the Mughals,Yadavas, Nizam and the British, Trade prospered in this area. Several temples found on the periphery of the Lake are known as Yadava temples and also as Hemadpanti temples (named after Hemadri Ramgaya).

Temples

A number of temples surround the lake, most of which stand in ruins today, except for the temple of Daitya Sudan at the centre of the Lonar town, which was built in honor of Vishnu’s victory over the giant Lonasur. It is a fine example of early Hindu architecture. Vishnumandir, Wagh Mahadev, Mora Mahadev, Munglyacha Mandir and Goddess Kamalaja Devia are the other temples found inside the crater.

Daitya Sudan temple

Daitya Sudan Temple is a Vishnu temple dated to the Chalukya Dynasty which ruled Central and Southern India between the 6th and 12th centuries. The deity of this temple is made of an ore with a high metal content that resembles stone. The ceiling of the temple has carvings. The exterior walls are also covered with carved figures. The plinth of the temple is about 1.5 m in height and the unfinished roof suggests an intended pyramidal form for the tower

Aurangabad is the closest city for visiting this beautiful place. This city has all the three facilities of Roadways, Railways and Airways. November to January are the best months to visit this place as in summers it gets very dry and hot.

From Hindutav