The short answer
Temples of the Crater Rim and Floor: what visitors should know first
Worth a slow look if you like old stonework and quiet. Many are ruins rather than polished sights, so go with a guide who can name them, and treat this as part of the crater walk rather than a separate trip.
History and context
The story behind Temples of the Crater Rim and Floor
The temples are generally described as medieval, in Chalukya or Hemadpanthi styles, and built from basalt. Sources list names including Wagh Mahadev, Mora Mahadev and Vishnu temples. Many are in ruin, and the Archaeological Survey of India maintains some of them.
Precise dates and a reliable total were not established in the sources checked.
Useful facts
Temples of the Crater Rim and Floor facts at a glance
- Location
- Around the rim and crater floor, Lonar
- Experience type
- Self-paced walk with a guide
- Known for
- Roofless basalt temples and carved doorways
- Period
- Medieval; widely described as 11th-12th century
- Condition
- Mostly ruined; some maintained by ASI
Why it matters
Why Temples of the Crater Rim and Floor is worth your time
Sources describe the crater as ringed by temples, with many dating from roughly the 11th and 12th centuries and most built from local basalt. Names recorded include Wagh Mahadev, Mora Mahadev and others. Most are now ruined, but together they show how long the site has been regarded as sacred.
The number quoted for the temples varies widely in popular writing, and no firm count was verified. What can be said is that the cluster is one of the more extensive groups of medieval temples in the region and is part of what the National Geological Monument and sanctuary status are meant to protect.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Roofless Mahadev shrines
Open-to-sky stone frames with carved doorways show how the temples were built.
- 02
Carved doorways and pillars
Close inspection reveals figures and ornament cut into the basalt.
- 03
Stone from the crater itself
The builders used the same basalt that forms the crater walls.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Treat the temples as a thread through the crater visit. Near the rim and on the way down you pass shrines in varying states: some intact enough for worship, others roofless frames of dark basalt with carved doorways and pillars. Your guide can tell you which are Mahadev temples and which are associated with other local names.
Look for the carving on doorways, ceilings and pillars, and for the way the builders used the same basalt as the crater walls. Many sites are quiet, with no signs or labels, so a local guide matters more here than at the better-known Daitya Sudan.
Stay on the paths, keep off fragile stonework and carry away any litter. The ruins are part of a protected area and their condition is delicate.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Hire a local guide to name the sites
- Stay on paths and do not climb on ruins
- Wear grip shoes; stone can be loose
- Carry water and take your litter out
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Around Lonar Lake, rim and crater floor
- Time needed
- 1-2 hours as part of the crater visit
- Best time
- Morning, October to March
- Walking level
- Demanding
- Senior comfort
- The floor temples need the same steep descent as the lake. Rim sites are easier but uneven, with loose stone and little seating. Wear grip shoes and take a guide.
- Tickets and access
- 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.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Temples of the Crater Rim and Floor
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The floor temples need the same steep descent as the lake. Rim sites are easier but uneven, with loose stone and little seating. Wear grip shoes and take a guide.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How many temples are there?
Popular figures vary widely and none was verified. Sources agree there are many, most of them ruined.
Are they open to visit?
Most are accessible as part of the crater walk, but check current access rules and keep to paths.
Do I need a guide?
Strongly recommended. Few sites are labelled, and the descent is steep.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.