The short answer
Gomukh Temple (Sita Nahani): what visitors should know first
Go if you are visiting the crater and can manage steps: the flowing water is the point, and it sits at a gentler stage of the descent. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water and avoid the middle of the day.
History and context
The story behind Gomukh Temple (Sita Nahani)
The area around Lonar holds many temples built in Chalukya and Hemadpanthi styles, though much of the stone is now in ruin. Gomukh is one of the better-known sites within the crater, noted for the spring that emerges from a cow-shaped outlet.
Exact construction dates are not firmly established in the sources checked.
Useful facts
Gomukh Temple (Sita Nahani) facts at a glance
- Location
- Crater slope below the rim, Lonar
- Faith
- Hindu
- Deity/dedication
- Associated with Shiva; also called Sita Nahani
- Visitor note
- Stepped descent; shoes off; carry water
- Known for
- A constant stream from a carved cow's mouth
Why it matters
Why Gomukh Temple (Sita Nahani) is worth your time
Gomukh is unusual for a crater whose lake is salty and alkaline: here, a steady stream of fresh water comes out of the hillside. That contrast is part of why pilgrims have come here for centuries, and why the spot is treated as sacred.
The temple area also gives a sense of how many shrines once stood around the lake. Lonar's temples are mostly ruined or lightly used today, and Gomukh is one of the few places where worship, running water and old stone come together in a way you can still see.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The cow's-mouth outlet
Water flows continuously from a stone cow's mouth, a rare freshwater source inside a salt crater.
- 02
Roofless Mahadev shrines
Nearby are the stone remains of Mahadev shrines with carved doorways.
- 03
Cooler, shaded setting
The slope is shadier and quieter than the rim, which makes it a good place to sit for a few minutes.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
From the rim, the way to Gomukh begins as a short walk through scrub and trees, and then becomes a flight of steps toward the lake. The shrine is built around a stone cow's mouth, from which water flows steadily out. Pilgrims bathe and wash here, and the temple is also known as Sita Nahani.
Sit for a few minutes by the stream. The setting is cooler and quieter than the rim, and you can see old stonework, small shrines and the remains of a roofless Mahadev temple nearby. A local guide can point out the carvings and tell the stories attached to the site.
Plan the visit so you are climbing out before late morning. Carry plenty of water, because there are no facilities on the way. Keep to the paths and do not litter, since the stream feeds the sanctuary.
Plan with confidence
Visit as a guest, not a spectator.
- Go early and plan the climb back before late morning
- Carry water; there are no facilities on the way
- Wear shoes with grip and keep to the path
- Do not litter or contaminate the stream
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Crater slope, Lonar, below the rim
- Time needed
- 1-1.5 hours including the walk
- Best time
- Early morning; October to March
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- The route is a forest path and stepped descent, and the climb back is tiring. There is shade but few seats. Travellers with limited mobility are better off viewing from the rim.
- Tickets and access
- No separate ticket is known; entry is via the sanctuary, which is open from sunrise to sunset. Check current rules locally. Remove shoes at the shrine and dress modestly.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Gomukh Temple (Sita Nahani)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The route is a forest path and stepped descent, and the climb back is tiring. There is shade but few seats. Travellers with limited mobility are better off viewing from the rim.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
What does Gomukh mean?
Literally a cow's mouth, referring to the carved outlet from which water flows.
Can I bathe at Gomukh?
Pilgrims do, but follow local guidance and avoid soaps and litter.
Is Gomukh the same as Sita Nahani?
Sources use both names for the same shrine near the crater.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
