Temples in Lonar
- 01
Daitya Sudan Temple
A medieval basalt temple in the middle of Lonar town, dedicated to Vishnu as the slayer of the demon, with an unusual star-shaped plan and fine carving.
- Time needed
- 45-60 minutes
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning or late afternoon, when the light on the stone is warm
- Tickets
- Check current opening hours and any entry arrangements locally; dress modestly and remove shoes before the terrace. Ask before photographing inside the sanctum.
- 02
Gomukh Temple (Sita Nahani)
A shrine on the crater side where a stream of fresh water flows from a carved cow's mouth, reached by a forest walk and a flight of steps toward the lake.
- Time needed
- 1-1.5 hours including the walk
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Early morning; October to March
- Tickets
- 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.
- 03
Kamalja Devi Temple
A quiet temple of the goddess Kamalja among trees beside the lake, reached on foot from the rim, and valued locally as a place for reflection.
- Time needed
- 30-45 minutes plus the walk
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Early morning; November to February
- Tickets
- Entry is through the sanctuary (sunrise to sunset). No separate ticket is known; check locally. Dress modestly and remove shoes at the shrine.
Landmarks in Lonar
- 04
Lonar Crater Lake
A round crater about 1.83 km across, formed by a meteorite impact in Deccan basalt, holding a saline, alkaline lake. It is the reason anyone comes to Lonar.
- Time needed
- 2-3 hours for viewpoints; half a day with the descent
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Early morning; November to February is most comfortable
- Tickets
- The lake sits inside the Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary, which is open from sunrise to sunset. Check current entry arrangements and any fees at the gate or with the forest department; local guides are available.
Experiences in Lonar
- 05
Lonar Wildlife Sanctuary
A small sanctuary of about 365 hectares around the crater, home to waterbirds, peacocks and dry deciduous forest, open from sunrise to sunset.
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours alongside the crater visit
- Walking
- Moderate
- Best time
- Early morning, October to March
- Tickets
- The sanctuary is managed by the Maharashtra Forest Department and open from sunrise to sunset. Check current entry rules and any fees at the gate.
Day trips in Lonar
- 06
Sharangdhar Balaji Temple, Mehkar
A temple at Mehkar, the nearest larger town, housing a monolithic dark-stone image of Vishnu as Sharangadhara (Balaji), reportedly about 10-11 feet tall.
- Time needed
- 1 hour plus the road
- Walking
- Easy
- Best time
- Morning; October to March
- Tickets
- No ticket is known. Dress modestly, remove shoes and check current darshan timings locally, as temple schedules vary.
Culture in Lonar
- 07
Temples of the Crater Rim and Floor
A scatter of medieval basalt temples and shrines around and inside the crater, many roofless or ruined, including Mahadev and Wagh temples.
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours as part of the crater visit
- Walking
- Demanding
- Best time
- Morning, October to March
- Tickets
- Part of the crater and sanctuary area. Some structures are maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India; check current access rules. Do not climb on ruins.
