Skip to main content

Featured Post

The Vaishnodevi Experience 2023

My first trip to Vaishnodevi was unimpressive. Climbing was hard, and it only served to highlight how badly out of shape I was, while my in-laws managed to cope so much better. Further, I hadn’t quite realized that the cave experience wouldn’t be the same as I had imagined, since the original cave was only opened at certain times a year, and that we only entered a newly created tunnel, one far easier to access, and hence more manageable with the crowds that thronged the mountain shrine. The resulting experience at the shrine, for barely a fraction of a second, hardly compared to what I had expected / imagined / heard about. So, for me, Vaishnodevi was like any other temple, nothing to write home about, something that was reflected (though not explicitly mentioned) in the blog post I wrote then.

Skywatch Friday - Lonar Crater Lake

For Skywatch Friday today is a place I havent been able to get out of my mind since I returned from my Diwali trip... the Lonar Crater....





This photo was taken from the banks of the crater lake... the reflection of the mountains surrounding it and the sky, in the green waters of the lake was just too beautiful for words... the temple in the middle just added to the beauty... Look out for more detailed posts on Lonar in the next few days!



Lonar crater

The crater at Lonar is the third largest crater in the world, formed when a meteorite fell on earth about 50,000 years ago.

Location: The crater is located on the outskirts of the village Lonar in the Buldana District of Maharashtra.
  • The nearest airport is at Aurangabad, 122 Km away.
  • The nearest railway station is Jalna, 90 Km away.
  • The nearest bus stand is at Lonar, which is well connected to Jalna as well as Aurangabad.

Where to stay: There are a few hotels and lodges in Lonar, but the best option is to stay at the MTDC resort which overlooks the crater. 







Comments

  1. Nice capture.

    www.rajniranjandas.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  2. Never been there! Lovely capture Anu :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. YOu should go there, Arti! Its beautiful and so serene!

      Delete
  3. THanks so much, Liz! Happy skywatching to you too

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello: I discovered your blog when I was looking for information on Hampi. I loved ur posts on Hampi which I intend to visit soon. I have now started to follow ur other posts too. This one for Lonar Crater was eye opening. I had no idea we had a crater lake in India.

    Can you put more details about your journey to Lonar? For example, what activities are available and how many days were you able to spend there etc. I would greatly appreciate it.

    I have recently moved to Pune and hence have been looking to explore Maharashtra. Thanks for all your posts.

    Shekhar

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Shekhar! Hope you keep coming back and find more interesting things to read about and visit. About Lonar, a detailed post is coming up soon!

      Delete
  5. We also visited Lonar during a Diwali holiday. Guess you had a nice and quiet Diwali :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Bindhu, we certainly did!!! and your blog was a great help.. been wanting to visit ever since i read about it there... and finally did! Yaaay!!

      Delete
  6. I have heard of this place from Vinni, but this picture completed the imagery.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Zephyr!! hope you like the pics which are yet to come too.. and its a beautiful place! the next time u are here, make some time for Lonar... get the L&M to get away for a while... and both of u will have a memorable trip :D

      Delete
  7. Lovely photo. I had no idea about the Crater Lake. Sometimes such amazing things of nature come that make us really spellbound. Wated to read the detailed post on the Lake

    ReplyDelete
  8. For a once-upon-a-time geologist, I have yet to visit Lonar. :-( Looking forward to reading all about Lonar in one of your forthcoming posts.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for stopping by. Please leave a comment for me so that I will know you have been here....

Popular posts from this blog

Gokarna Part II – The Five Lingams

We continued our Gokarna trip by visiting four other Shiva temples in the vicinity, all connected to the same story of Gokarna. The story of Gokarna mentions the Mahabaleshwara Lingam as the one brought from Kailas by Ravana, and kept at this place on the ground by Ganesha. (See my earlier post- Gokarna – Pilgrimage and Pleasure). However, the story does not end here. It is believed that, in his anger, Ravana flung aside the materials which covered the lingam- the casket, its lid, the string around the lingam, and the cloth covering it. All these items became lingams as soon as they touched the ground. These four lingams, along with the main Mahabaleshwara lingam are collectively called the ‘ Panchalingams’ . These are: Mahabaleshwara – the main lingam Sajjeshwar – the casket carrying the lingam. This temple is about 35 Kms from Karwar, and is a 2 hour drive from Gokarna. Dhareshwar – the string covering the lingam. This temple is on NH17, about 45 Kms south of Gokarna. Gunavanteshw

The Power of 8 - The Ashta Dikpalas and Ashta Vasus at Khajuraho

The four cardinal directions form the axis on which a temple is built, and are thus the basis of temple architecture. Leading from them are the eight directions, which are believed to be guarded by the eight guardians, or Ashta Dikpalas . In the temples of Khajuraho, great care has been taken by the sculptors to carve the Ashta Dikpalas on the walls, both inside and outside. They not only guard the temple, but also look over us as we circumambulate the shrine, protecting us by their presence. They are augmented by the Ashta Vasus , celestial beings which represent natural phenomena. Together, they enhance the idea of the temple as cosmos, enfolding within it, all the aspects of nature, both, on earth, as well in space.

The Havelis of Bikaner - A Photo Post

The lanes are narrow , twisting and turning amidst buildings old and new. Crumbling old structures with intricate workmanship stand side by side with art deco buildings, and more modern constructions, which follow no particular style. Autos, bicycles, motorcycles and vans rush past, blowing their horns as loudly as possible, while cows saunter past peacefully, completely unaffected by the noise. In the midst of all this chaos, children play by the side, and women go about their chores, as we explore these by-lanes of Bikaner, and its beautiful Havelis. Facade of one of the Rampuria Havelis