Lonar 2706659 222948558 2008-07-01T21:40:41Z NatureA16 2164770 {{Travel guide|date=April 2008}} <!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->{{Infobox Indian Jurisdiction | native_name = Lonar | type = city | latd = 19.58 | longd = 76.30| locator_position = right | state_name = Maharashtra | district = [[Buldana district|Buldana]] | leader_title = | leader_name = | altitude = 563| population_as_of = 2001 | population_total = 20,082| population_density = | area_magnitude= sq. km | area_total = | area_telephone = | postal_code = | vehicle_code_range = | sex_ratio = | unlocode = | website = | footnotes = | }} '''Lonar''' is a city and a [[municipal council]] in [[Buldana district]] of the division of [[Amravati]] of the region of [[Vidarbha]] in the [[India]]n [[states of India|state]] of [[Maharashtra]]. '''Lonar''' is a [[taluka]] of the district of [[Buldhana]] and is located near [[Mehkar]]. It is an important place in Buldhana district and is famous for [[Lonar crater]] and Lonar Lake, which is located at Lat: 19°58'N Long: 76°30'E. Lonar is situated around 550 km from [[Mumbai]], around 160 km from [[Aurangabad, Maharashtra|Aurangabad]] and around 140 km via [[Buldhana]] with about 4 1/2 hours drive southeast of the famous [[Ajanta Caves]]. ==Geography== Lonar is located at {{coor d|19.38|N|76.30|E|}}.<ref>[http://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/16/Lonar.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Lonar]</ref> It has an average elevation of 563&nbsp;[[metre]]s (1847&nbsp;[[foot (unit of length)|feet]]). ==Demographics== [[As of 2001]] India [[census]],<ref>{{GR|India}}</ref> Lonar had a population of 20,082. Males constitute 52% of the population and females 48%. Lonar has an average literacy rate of 66%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 74%, and female literacy is 58%. In Lonar, 16% of the population is under 6 years of age. ==Getting there== The nearest [[railway station]] is [[Malkapur]] near [[Bhusawal]] railway-junction, on the [[Mumbai]] - [[Bhusawal]] - [[Nagpur]] route of [[Central Railway (India)|Central Railway]] of Indian Rail and is around 100 km from Lonar. Alternative is [[Jalna]] near [[Aurangabad]] and is around 100 km from Lonar. Regular buses are available from [[Malkapur]] and [[Jalna]] to Lonar. An alternative option is to take buses going towards [[Mehkar]] / [[Washim]] / [[Risod]] which you can take up to [[Sultanpur]]. There are share a cab options from [[Sultanpur]] which is around 12 km from Lonar. ==What to see== [[Image:Lonar Crater Evening.jpg|thumb|right|Lonar Crater in the evening]] *'''Lonar Crater''' The world's only salt water lake in basaltic rock is in Lonar. [[Lonar crater]] is believed to have been caused by a meteorite hitting Earth around 50,000 years ago. It has a jungle around the crater and is a good place for bird lovers. Peacocks, Owls and other birds are in abundant here. On the lake and around it you'll find Red-wattled_Lapwing, Ducks and lots of other species. There are around 13 temples around the lake out of which only 3-4 are maintained but the ruins are worth a visit to check the carvings. *'''Gaumukh''' *'''Sita Nani''' *'''Motha Maruti''' [[Image:Daitya Sudan Lonar.jpg|thumb|right|Side profile [[Daitya Sudan Temple]]]] *'''Daitya Sudan Temple''' This temple has beautiful carving similar to what can be seen at Khajurao temples. The idol of this temple is made of an ore with high metal content and looks like stone (know the idol to know what this means). Area out-side the gods enclosure is dark and the ceiling is not visible but a bright torch will reveal beautiful carving. Its a regular sight to find locals studying around the temple, there are no guides available around here to give you the story but the students are a decent source of information regarding the recent history. ==References== <references/> {{Buldhana district}} [[Category:Cities and towns in Maharashtra]] [[bn:লোনার]] [[bpy:লোনার]] [[nl:Lonar]] [[new:लोनार]] [[vi:Lonar]]