The Breath-taking mysteries of Lonar Lake!

Believe it or not, Lonar Lake has to be one of the most intriguing places on Earth. While the formation is still a mystery, the lake does hold great geological facts about meteors and our planet.

Lonar Lake or better known as the Lonar Crater Lake is one of the three greatest high impact velocity lakes of the planet. It is a notified national geo-heritage monument and also a renowned trekking spot. It was discovered by a British officer, J.E. Alexander, in 1823.

Interesting Facts about ‘Lonar Lake’

1.       It is the only impact created crater-lake in basaltic rock in the Deccan region of Maharashtra. It is also one of the three most renowned high impact velocity craters on the planet.

2.       The diameter of the entire crater is about 1.8 KM but the lake is landlocked in a diameter of only 1.2 KM. The lake is located a few mts. below the sea level making it a great trekking experience for the tourists.

3.       The lake holds a variety of distinct wildlife found nowhere else on the planet. Many species of flora and fauna that are quite rare worldwide are found hidden in this wonder.

4.       Meteors tend to emit out the substance of greater importance. One of them is, Maskelynite, it is one of those rare minerals found when there is high pressure and high-temperature metamorphosis of the rocks. Such high pressure and temperature is found majorly when a high velocity and high impact meteor strikes the Earth.

Maskelynite

5.       It is also estimated by the researchers and scientists that when the meteor crashed into the surface, the temperature in the surrounding regions escalated to about 18000 degrees which caused the entire meteor to meltdown leaving.

6.       Moreover, the impact was so high it brought with it a 6.0 Richter scale Earthquake.

7.       The sand of the lake has magnetic property. The sand tends to react amazingly well to a magnet placed in its vicinity. Surprisingly, many explorers have even felt that their magnetic compasses go haywire when they are around the lake. The magnetic properties of the sand, tend to manipulate the readings on a compass and puzzle any person viewing it. Here’s an amazing documentary by Science Channel about Lonar Lake:

8.      The water is devoid of aquatic life majorly because of its alkalinity. The pH of the water is about 10. The guides conduct a simple experiment for testing the alkalinity of water. They tend to mix turmeric with the lake water and as soon as the yellow turmeric is mixed with the lake water the water turns blood red in colour, which proves the alkalinity of the water.

The lake is bounded by slopes of land with rings of trees over it. The first slope and outermost ring of date palms is followed by a ring of Tamarind trees and then another ring of Babul trees. The walk from the top of the land up to the lake is actually a trek amidst these rings of trees.

10.   There are almost 12 temples around the periphery of the Lonar Lake. One of them is Kamalja Devi Temple is located beside the lake and also features carved images. Although the water level rises during the rainy season and falls in summer, the temple is located above the water level. Other temples include Gomukh Temple, Shankar Ganesh Temple, Ram Gaya Temple, Motha Maruthi Temple and many more.

Kamalja Devi Temple

The Formation is still a big question!?

Being located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra, the formation of the lake is debatable till date! Many stories claim to be true in regards to the formation of this geo-heritage.

One of the theories that is backed even by ‘NASA’ is that it was formed when a high-velocity meteor struck the ground in the Pleistocene Epoch. The lake is believed to be formed about 52,000 to 57,000 years ago. The meteor weighing 2 million tons crashed into the Earth at a speed of 90,000 KMPH. It is believed that the temperatures rose so high the meteor instantly melted down leaving a huge crater onto the surface.

The second story is a bit on the mythological side, so it’s again on the belief that backs this theory. It is believed that a demon named Lonasura used to trouble the villagers. So Hindu God, Lord Vishnu tried to push him into the earth with a massive blow. The demon was surely killed but the blow left a huge hole on the land which then formed the lake.

How to get there?

Lonar crater-lake is located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra. It is quite easily accessible by roads and railways.

Road – Mumbai – 504 KM

Pune – 375 KM

Aurangabad – 137 KM

Jalna – 87 KM

Railways – All you need to do is board a train that takes you to Jalna. Once you reach Jalna Railway Station then proceed to the Jalna Bus Stand. Catch a bus that drops you off at the Lonar Bus Stand. From take another Bus to the Lonar Lake.

Money Matters

The costs for all these above-mentioned travels including the buses is very nominal.

The major fee that you will have to pay is at the entrance of the lake which is charged to you by the Lonar Forest Department which is about Rs. 30/-.

In the end, it’s definitely a place for all the geology lovers and the meteor explorers. People love watching nature do wonders. But it was a heavenly experience to witness the miracles of nature. The immense strength of nature and the feeling of being a mere pebble in front of the entire universe is simply amazing!