About

Maharashtra is home to a variety of heritage sites but none surpass the uniqueness of the meteorological marvel that is the Lonar Crater. Based in the Buldhhana district of Amravati, Lonar was formed as a result of a meteor collision that occurred roughly 50,000 years ago that created a dense crater with a rim of 1.8 kilometres and a partly alkaline and partly saline lake within. It has links to mythology too - locals believe the lake was formed when a demon named Lonasura was pushed into the netherworld by Lord Vishnu.

Its mysterious origins and religious roots have made the site a notable tourist attraction. The temples nearby are more than a thousand years old, while the presence of migratory birds has made it a popular spot for wildlife photographers to visit. Scientists have aptly named Lonar the bowl of biodiversity, it is one of the only four basaltic rock craters in the world and has been classified as a national geo-heritage monument.