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Daityasudan Temple, Lonar
Vishnu · Temples of the Lonar Crater · Maharashtra
॥ ॐ नमो नारायणाय ॥
The Daityasudan Temple at Lonar in Buldhana district stands beside one of the natural wonders of the world — the Lonar crater, a great bowl gouged from the basalt of the Deccan by a meteorite some fifty thousand years ago, now cradling a saline lake. The temple honours Vishnu as Daityasudan, the slayer of the demon Lonasura whose death, by legend, made the crater, and it is one of a ring of ancient shrines around the lake.
The slayer of the demon Lonasura
Local legend tells that the demon Lonasura terrorised the land until Vishnu struck him down, and the great hollow of the crater was made by that blow. The Daityasudan Temple — “the slayer of demons” — commemorates the deed, its richly carved walls in the old Hemadpanti manner showing the gods and the defeat of the asura.
A crater made by a meteorite
Science tells a different and equally wondrous story: the Lonar crater was formed when a meteorite slammed into the basalt of the Deccan Traps, the only major hypervelocity impact crater in basaltic rock on Earth. The lake at its bottom is both saline and alkaline, a rare chemistry that has drawn scientists from around the world, while pilgrims see in it the mark of the gods.
A ring of ancient temples
Around and within the crater stand a cluster of old temples — to Vishnu, Shiva and the goddess — many in the carved stone of the Chalukya and later periods, slowly weathering above the green water. The walk down into the crater, past these shrines and the forest that has grown in the bowl, is a pilgrimage and a journey into deep time at once.
How to reach Lonar
- By road: Lonar is in Buldhana district, about 140 km from Aurangabad and reached via Mehkar or Sultanpur.
- By train: Jalna and Malkapur are among the nearer railheads.
- By air: Aurangabad is the nearest airport, about 150 km away.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Daityasudan Temple at Lonar?
It is an ancient temple beside the Lonar crater honouring Vishnu as Daityasudan, the slayer of the demon Lonasura whose death, by legend, formed the crater.
How was the Lonar crater formed?
Scientifically, the Lonar crater was made by a meteorite striking the basalt of the Deccan some fifty thousand years ago — the only major hypervelocity impact crater in basaltic rock on Earth.
What is special about the Lonar lake?
The lake at the bottom of the crater is both saline and alkaline, a rare chemistry that has long drawn scientists, while pilgrims revere it as a sacred place.
Are there other temples at Lonar?
Yes — a ring of ancient temples to Vishnu, Shiva and the goddess, many in old carved stone, stands around and within the crater.
How do I reach Lonar?
Lonar is in Buldhana district, about 140 km from Aurangabad via Mehkar. Jalna and Malkapur are among the nearer railheads, and Aurangabad airport is about 150 km away.
Is the crater walkable?
Yes — a path leads down into the crater past the temples and through the forest that has grown in the bowl, a rewarding but steep walk.
॥ जय श्रीमन्नारायण ॥ • Bhaktiras.net Temple Guide
| Deity | Vishnu as Daityasudan (slayer of Lonasura) |
| Setting | Beside the Lonar meteorite crater |
| Crater | Only major hypervelocity impact crater in basalt on Earth |
| Lake | Saline and alkaline |
| Architecture | Hemadpanti / Chalukya carved stone |
| Region | Buldhana, Maharashtra |