The meteor impact lake: Lonar Crater, Maharashtra
Lonar is a crater
Just like the rest of us, a backpacker from space which was a crater, rushed towards our planet Earth at an estimated speed of 9,000 kmph and hit the surface of Earth which gave birth to a magnificent crest on the rim. Many people are not aware of this beautiful and mysterious place. The Lonar Lake in the Buldhana district, from the state of Maharashtra, India is 140kms from Aurangabad and is the third largest saltwater lake in the world. It was created by a meteor impact. It has a diameter of 1.83 kms and was formed 52,000 years ago.
It was first identified by a British officer named J.E.Alexander in 1823. However, it became famous but caused a lot of confusion soon after it was identified. Due to its unusual properties, the Lonar Lake stands out as a way different example of biodiversity. It is seven times saltier than seawater. Also has a wildlife sanctuary with an ecology which is strange as well as somewhat absurd in nature.
Over the years, nature and history added more colors to this place. There are a lot of Hemadpanthi temples around having their roots back in time, during the Satavahanas and Ashoka’s Empire. There are centuries-old abandoned temples that are now a home for bats and different species of insects, except one temple which is the Vishnu temple, also referred as Daityasudan Temple.
The temple has carvings of different gods and Khajuraho style carvings as well. In front of the temple, there is a ‘kund’, which is exciting to watch as the villagers and local people are more excited to take a dip in it. There are steps from the temple which goes down to the crater, which can give you ‘The Wall of China’ feel to your eyes.
The place gives a charge to every wanderer to know and explore more. The Lonar Lake is a water body which is land-locked and is alkaline as well as saline at the same time. It is definitely a place for history to unfold with a pinch of some mystery.
This emerald-coloured lake is something that will make you realise that ‘There’s something out there… beyond the skies’. Weird, right? Another weird thing is that, recently according to NASA, the bacterial strain discovered on the Lonar Lake crater site resembles the one found on Mars. It’s an opportunity for photographers especially, wildlife photographers to trap the monitor lizard which is one of the most prominent reptiles and some beautiful peacocks in their lenses that can be found by the Lonar Crater Lake.
The place is an ideal visit for scientists, archaeologists, artists or even just a normal person who simply wants to be in the arms of nature. The Lonar Crater Lake is a three-hour drive from Aurangabad and the drive is an experience which soothes and calms at the same time.
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