Did You Know Maharashtra Is Home To A 52,000-Year-Old Crater Lake?

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Maharashtra is a treasure trove of monuments, heritage sites, lesser-known places and ecological wonders. One such example is the Lonar Crater that makes this crater unique and how it was formed many moons ago? Keep on reading to find out more!

One of Buldhana’s star attraction is the Lonar Crater or Lonar Lake. This natural phenomenon dates back to Pleistocene Epoch aka the Ice Age around 52 thousand years ago. We aren't kidding! The Lonar crater was created when a meteor impacted the Earth's surface and is one of four such craters in the entire world and the only one in India!

The crater runs 1.8 kilometres wide and 150 metres deep. The water in the lake is both saline and alkaline, so during the summers when most of the water evaporates, it leaves behind large deposits of soda. Two small streams, named Purna and Penganga, drain into the lake, and a well of fresh water is located on the southern side. This natural phenomenon has many scientists and ecologists interested in studying it further.
lonar crater
The trek to the astronomical marvel is a difficult one, especially during the monsoons with the path to the lake being slippery; quicksand on the banks making this trek a real precarious one. If you like bird watching, then the forest area is filled with migratory and local birds from red-wattled lapwings, blue jays to tailor birds, parakeets and peafowls. That’s not all, you can also spot deers, gazelles and home to the monitor lizards. Currently, the lake is in danger due to pollution of the lake by tourists and by nearby villages dumping sewage in it. Deforestation and excavation also pose a serious threat to the lake.
lonar crater
If you’re looking at a one day getaway to the Lonar Lake, you can also visit the Shankar Ganesha temple that is noteworthy for its rectangular Shiva idol. We know it’s a bit of a long journey, but trust us, it's worth the trip!