Lonar Lake Temples Buldhana: A Spiritual Quest
This post, Lonar Lake Temples, is a continuation from Interesting Facts of Lonar Crater Lake Aurangabad. “Scientists suspect that the meteor is still embedded about 600m below the south-eastern rim of the crater.”- Lonely Planet South India. We spent more than an hour exploring Lonar Lake. It was cool in every sense of the word!
Very diligently I had made the list of top 15 temples around Lonar Lake, but time wasn’t favouring me. Also, we were running out of our energy resources. Even though we visited Lonar Lake in the peak of winter we didn’t expect it to be hot. The trek down hill to the lake and walking around some of the Lonar Lake temples had sapped our energy and I was running out of water. The whole lake lay right in front of me, but like they say – water, water everywhere, but not a drop to drink. I had started rationing the little water I had to my kids, dreading the uphill trek still pending.
Top 15 Lonar Lake Temples
The fifteen temples are:
- Papahareshwar Temple
- Kumareshwar Temple
- Yajaneshwar Temple
- Ramgaya Temple
- Mahadev Temple
- Bagicha Temple
- Wagh Temple
- Mor Temple
- Kamalja Devi Temple
- Mahadev Temple near Kamaljadevi Temple
- Amberkhana Temple
- Mungla Mahadev Temple
- Deshmukh Temple
- Chopda Mahadev Temples
- Peer ki Chattri
The temples around Lonar Lake, dedicated to various deities of the Hindu pantheon such as those from the Shaiva, Vaishnav, and Shakti cults, were constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries AD. Over time, these temples received patronage from several dynasties, including the later Chalukyas, Yadavas of Deogiri, and the Marathas.
These structures adhere to the regional architectural style known as Hemadpanti. Characterized by their plain exteriors, the temples are constructed using blocks of basalt, reflecting the local building materials and aesthetic preferences of the period.
Temples around Lonar Lake Buldhana
We explored around to discover few more wonders around it: several temples, some of which dating back to 13th century or older. There are 15 temples around the rim of Lonar Crater Lake. We could visit some of them.
Half submerged Shankar Ganesh Temple in Lonar lake shore
Shankar Ganesh Temple, Ramgaya Temple, Hanuman Temple, Waghmahadeo Temple Mor Mahadeo Temple are in a cluster just by the bank of the lake where we trekked to from the road. The path isn’t a well laid out one. By the time we reached it was past 11, not a single tourist around.
We explored the ruins of these temples at our pace. Building blocks scattered around; they gave the impression of some kind of loot or deliberate damage. There was no earthquake in the place at least none recorded in the past one century.
Kumāreshwar Temple at Lonar
Dedicated to Shiva, the Kumāreshwar Temple, also known locally as Vedshala, features an enclosure wall and a north-facing entrance gate. The temple’s mandapa has a circular raised ceiling built in the trabeate style. The brackets within the mandapa display figures of Shiva, Indra, Vāmana, and Bhairava. Above these, there are depictions of goddesses from the Saptamātrikā pantheon, including Indrāni, Kaumārī, and Varāhī, though many of these figures are mutilated. The sanctum’s door frame is highly decorative, with the center of the door frame beam (lalāţabimba) adorned with a figure of Gaņesha.
Shankar Ganesh Temple
It really pained to see the state of the temples here. Shiva Linga of this temple in ruins is missing.
Ruins of Shiva Ganesh Temple near Lonar Lake
The extremely beautiful Shankar Ganesh temple… I stood here transfixed by the architectural beauty of this small shrine still maintained and preserved so well…
Entrance to Shankar Ganesh temple Lonar lake
Papahareshwar Temple at Lonar
The Papahareshwar Temple, locally known as Pāpahāreshwar Mandir, is dedicated to Shiva. This temple complex comprises several structures, including a small temple for Shiva, a highly decorative Nandimandapa, and a Pushkarini (sacred water tank). The Nandimandapa is situated on a high plinth, accessible by a flight of steps with a lion balustrade on the western side. The plinth features intricate mouldings, while the pillars are elaborately carved from top to bottom, showcasing miniature kīrtimukhas and various forms of Vishnu and Shiva.
Ramgaya Mandir
It is believed by locals that Lord Ram had gone for his 14 years vanvas (stay in forest) in Panchvati after praying here. The wall had scribbling on it and inside wall had the words ‘Ramgaya Mandir’ written on it.
The wooden idol of Rama… “It has been here for centuries”, said the boys, who were constantly accompanying us from the time we landed at the base…
It seemed as somebody was offering prayers at the temple. We found some flowers, some fresh, some withered ones. But there was no official board around.
More ruins of temples Lonar lake
Ramgaya Mandir Lonar Lake with wooden statue of Lord Ram
Hanuman Mandir
Where there is Ram there is Hanuman (monkey God) too! We stumbled on a centuries old Hanuman Temple, rather a small shrine. This was the idol of Hanuman in the shrine just opposite to the Rama temple.
Hanuman Mandir Lonar Lake
Idol of Lord Hanuman inside the temple
Mungala Mahadeo Temple
The Mor Mahadev temple, situated close to the water. Half of it gets submerged in water when there are heavy rains and Lonar water level rises.
Mungala Mahadeo temple Lonar Crater Lake Buldhana
Kamalaja Devi Temple
A tiny white speck at the opposite end of the lake from where I stood. It is the Kamalaja Devi Temple… the view is hypnotic.I wish I had more time in hand to get there and explore it.
Standing here I thought- “What if a meteorite hits us at this moment!” But such things do not happen out of the blue. Actually they do happen, read here, you get all news of Near Earth Objects and their predicted paths and movements.
Gomukh Temple at Lonar Lake
One temple of Lonar Crater where pilgrims visit in large numbers is the Gomukh Temple. Its popularity is due to an eternal source of water flowing into the kund (water tank) of the temple. Locals call it dhar, hence the temple is also called Dhar Mandir or Dhar Kund by the devotees. They line up to stand under that falling stream of water, as if receiving blessings.
Gomukh Temple Lonar Lake
Piranchi Chattri
The Piranchi Chattri, measuring 4.23×2.67×1.55 meters, is a memorial structure believed to have belonged to a local king. This temple is partially buried under the earth, covered by fallen debris and accumulated soil over time.
Temples around Lonar Lake Buldhana
Tips to Tour Lonar Lake Temples
- Try and reach the place before 11am, after this the descent under the scorching sun can sap you of your energy.
- Take decent amount of energy boosters and water especially if you are traveling with children.
- Temples are scattered all along the rim of the lake. If you plan to tour all, arrive early.
- We visited the place in the peak of winters, when the mercury read 32 degrees, it was HOT. Imagine what it can be in summers.
- No tickets required.
- No washrooms around these places, but you can find them in the hotels nearby.
You may like these:
Forgotten Temples in Lakkundi Karnataka
Khajuraho Temples Madhya Pradesh
Temples in Devanahalli Village, Karnataka
Pin this for later…
(This post was first published on March 25, 2008.)
Thanks for the post, very interesting. Beautiful place and full of ancient culture.
I like to learn before traveling and get to know the cultures I visit.
A greeting
Really awesome… this place is truly mesmerizing. The interest it creates due to the whole astronomical aspect is something that lead me to mark this place on top of my list.
It is interesting to see the evidences of meteorite hit. kids must have been excited to see the crater. No?
Oh I went there just after monsoons so it was totally green and so beautiful.
Good that you didn’t drink that water. Few people have fainted near the water because of the sulphur contents and the fumes.
You brought back memories. 🙂
I’d love to see this crater!
Thank you for telling me about it, Indrani.
very nice description of the crater. Wonderful temples.
Thanks for bringing to light places like these
Good that you didn’t taste the water! The view of the temple is amazing indeed…
An amazing account of the place! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thanks, Indrani, for the beautiful account of the place. Your advice is duly noted that one should truy to visit before 11am. 🙂
When did you visit? I have been wanting to visit Lonar this year too, waiting for the monsoons to get over…
I visited long back The Untourists. It was Dec 2007.
Thanks Kari and yes we do worry about small problems in this big big world.
Sure Lakshmi, any time.
celine, Gil Thanks.
Helmi, I do have dreams like you.:)
May God give you a long life to fulfil all your dreams.
What an amazing place to explore. I am not sure whether it is but it should be included in one of my favorite books: “1000 Places to See Before You Die”.
Perhaps it is even mentioned there but unfortunately I have no time to look it up right now.
Indranim, do you also have a list of places you want to visit during your life time?
My list has been National Heritage sites around the world, but I am afraid I won’t live long enough to see them all…
Came back to see it more closely. It’s an amazing crater. Will put it on my list… With all that I’ve seen in your and your visitors blogs, I must at least count with 4 more trips to India to have a short idea of the subcontinent… Difficult to manage!
Thanks for your comments at Blogtrotter where I’m now strolling around Bilbao!
Have a great weekend!
Gil
Very interesting post. And you answered my question in Part I of your post in Part II. Thank you. 🙂
this is absolutely amazing…the temples, idols and of course the crater itself ..am going to get in touch with you when I go there
The story and pictures of this crator are fascinating. Looking at the world as a whole and thinking of the possiblities beyond our planet make even the most nerve wracking problems seem small by comparison.
I have to kind of laugh at myself about the architectural pictures, though…my first thought when I saw your pictures was how they reminded me of some scenes from the Indiana Jones movies. Are you familiar with them? (I think maybe I should look to more academic sources for my visual education. lol)
Kari
GMG: Thanks for the link.
Raji: Thanks!
Ajeya: It is 165km from Aurangabad, you can take a taxi or bus from Aurangabad to Buldhana. For those zipping across the country in bikes like you, it will take 2 to 2 and 1/2 hours??
Beautiful place. Where exactly is this?
Another nice post with good pictures. Thanks Indrani.
Hi Indrani! The answer to your daughter’s query may be: http://www.leo-parade.de/
and then «PR & Images» and »Album». There are five albums… That’s what I found in Google… The lions on my post at Blogtrotter are pictures I took…
The Lonar looks amazing. Closer is similar to one of the Sete Cidades Crater in Sao Miguel, Azores! The Green one…
Have a great week!