Click here for Picture Gallery

In accordance with the ongoing Lonar Crater Study, Conservation and Development efforts for past 8 years, Khagol Vishwa and 'Lonar Mitra Mandal' Lonar, are launching "Lonar Crater Study and Conservation program" from April 2010. Aim of this program is to study Lonar crater in detail, to observe the effects and changes in the Lonar System in different seasons. and to study the effects of increasing human population and pollution on Lonar's Flora and Fauna. We will soon be launching a website devoted to Lonar Crater to create awareness about Lonar Crater and its Importance as an Astronomical site as well as an important Geological Site.

As a first stage of this program, 'Vishwa Scientific' is arranging a study tour during 1 April - 5 April. Khagol Vishwa invites Students, teachers, scientists, Geologists, Astronomers, Botanists, Chemists, Archeologists as well as anyone who is interested in Lonar and the preservation program, to participate in this Tour. The details are as Follows.

Duration: 1 April - 4 April

(We will leave Pune on 1st April night and come early in the morning on 4th.)

Participation Fee: Rs. 2800/- per person

(Includes travelling and lodging & boarding expenses)

Last Date for Registration: 30 March, 2009

Contact: Mayuresh Prabhune: 9922929165, 9922730551

Limited Seats available.

Note:
1. Please bring writing material, Torch, Caps, Shoes, Water Bottles with you.
2. You can bring Cameras, Binoculars and any other equipments, provided you bring them at your own risk.

Lonar Tour Schedule.


1 April

Departure: 08:30 PM
Dinner Break: 10:30 PM


2 April

Arrival at Lonar: 08:00 AM
Refreshment and Breakfast: 08:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Lonar First Glimpse and Photography Time and Introduction: 10:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Lunch: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Rest: 02:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Daitya Sudan Madir Visit: 04:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Crater Round: 5:30 PM - 07:00 PM
Discussion: 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Dinner: 08:30 PM - 09:30 PM
Sky Watching: 09:30 PM - 11:30 PM


3 April

Tea: 05:30 AM - 06:30 AM
Lonar Lake Visit: 06:30 AM
Breakfast: 09:30 AM
Lunch: 12:00 PM
Rest: 01:00 PM - 04:00 PM
Tea: 04:00 PM
Ambar Lake, Zopalela Maruti: 04:30 PM - 05:30 PM
Discussion and Photo session: 05:30 PM - 06:30 PM
Break: 06:30 PM - 08:00 PM
Dinner: 08:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Departure: 09:30 PM
Arrival at Pune: Around 05:00 AM ( 4 April )


Note:
1. Please bring writing material, Torch, Caps, Shoes, Water Bottles with you.
2. You can bring Cameras, Binoculars and any other equipments, provided you bring them at your own risk.

Lonar crater is an impact crater Located in the Buldhana district of Maharashtra State, India (19058'N, 76031'E). Lonar crater is an important geological structure. This crater formed in basalt rock of the Deccan plateau some 35 to 50 thousand years ago is only of its kind. Though now it is declared as an impact crater, from 1823 when J. E. Alexander pointed out the crater, for almost a century and half the exact type of its origin was a debatable issue. Initially it was thought to be a volcanic crater. In fact the famous geologist G.K. Gilbert in 1896 showed its similarity with the Meteor crater (Barringer crater), Arizona.

Little Lonar or Amber Lake

There is a small circular depression, about 700 meters away from the rim of Lonar crater closely resembling the main crater in its shape and characteristics. This is known as the Little Lonar and is believed to have originated from the impact of a smaller piece of the meteor which split from the main body, before it hit the ground. The diameter of this crater is app. 340 meters and rises 6 meters above the ground level. This crater also has a lake, fed by three streams which through the years have eroded the surrounding area causing the exposure of basaltic breccia. You can find pieces of rock showing typical shock metamorphosis caused by hypervelocity impact. Although no major geological research work has so far been done to establish the meteoritic origin of this depression, this evidences supports such a thesis and should be considered as an integral part of the precincts of Lonar crater. In 1973, Fredriksson suggested that Amber lake crater was formed by a fragment ejected from Lonar crater, whereas S. Master who surveyed the Amber crater in 1999 concluded that it was not a secondary crater, but was formed at the same time as the Lonar crater

Research on Lonar Crater

For over 8 years, Khagol Vishwa is doing research on Lonar Crater and carrying a movement to protect this geographical and astronomical site. We have recently published our report based on 6 years of observations and research. The subjects that have been studied are..

• Geology and Structure of Lonar Crater.
• Ecology of Lonar: Flaura, Fauna, Agriculture, Zoology.
• Water
• Sociology
• Increase in water level problem
• Lonar Problems

If you'd like to participate in this research/study program, please contact us.

Lonar Crater - History

It has history that dates back more than 50000 years, carved out when a meteor struck it. Lonar lake, near Lonar village in the Buldhana District, is not just a source of Excitement for the visitors but also for the scientist community. Lonar is the third natural salt-water lake in the world, with a diameter of 1800 meter. It comes after Bosmatvi Lake in Ghana, which has a diameter of 10000 meter and New Cubec in Canada with a diameter of 3500 meter.

According to scientists, about 50000 year back a massive meteorite entered into the Earth's gravitational forces range. 60 meter long and weighing 20 lac ton it was racing at a speed of 25 kms. per second towards the planet. When it struck the earth the energy released was equivalent to that released by six-megaton atom bombs. The impact was so severe that rocks from all sides came on the surface and reached the height of 20 meters. The impact was so severe that it left a massive crater 170-meter deep and with 1800 meter in diameter. Today it is natural salt-water lake.

Apart from its scientific importance, Lonar also occupies a place of prominence in our ancient scripts. It finds mention in "Aaina-E-Akbari". During the days of Emperor Akbar; a salt factory was located here. According to Sanskrit Literature, Lonar was called "Viraj Kshetra" in ancient times. It finds mention in "Viraj Mahatmya" a chapter in "Skanda Puran and Padma Puran" Sanskrit works. According to Lonar Mahatmya, in ancient times, Kashyap Rishi had many sons. One of whom was believed to be staying in the vicinity of Lonar Lake. When Lavanasur terrorized the people and rulers of the region, the son of Rishi Kashyap had prayed to Lord Vishnu to kill Lavanasur.

In the 13th Century, a temple of Lord Vishnu was constructed there during the Chalukya Raj. The temple still exists and is 150mt long and 450 m. wide. It is a fine example of the quality of architecture practiced and perfected during that era. Near the Lonar Lake is the Paphareshwar pilgrimage. The engravings on the temple located there are in Sanskrit and sadly they have still not been deciphered. To add to its natural beauty the Lake has enough faunas in its surroundings making it a serene and scenic spot.