Meteor Lakes In India: Nature's Hidden Treasures

India is endowed with a unique geological beauty in the form of meteorite impact craters, many of which are located on land with crater lakes. Meteor lakes in India feature unique perspectives on planetary processes, ecological adaptation, and cultural heritage. Impacts of meteors are some of the most high-energy geological processes you can encounter, and they often produce craters that eventually develop into lakes via hydrological mechanisms. Four impact structures have been confirmed in India based on evidence from mineralogy and geomorphology.

Table of Contents

4 Meteor Lakes In India

Visit the following meteor lakes in India, among which Lonar, Ramgarh, and Luna have perennial or seasonal water bodies and erupt as crater lakes.

1. Lonar Lake, Maharashtra

Lonar crater, a circular lake formation surrounded by greenery, and a small white structure

Photo: Dupisingh / Wikimedia Commons

Lonar Lake is a unique hyper-velocity impact crater, formed approximately 576,000 ± 47,000 years ago when a meteorite struck the Deccan Traps, a vast volcanic basalt plateau. It is geologically significant as one of the very limited number of craters on the planet present in basalt, meaning that it has basalt geology. Saline and alkaline, this meteor lake in India also hosts unique microbial life that fizzles in extreme conditions. The lake changes colours in spring and fall, the result of biological and chemical activity.

Location: Buldhana district, Maharashtra
Dimensions: 1.8 km diameter, 150 meters deep
Total Area: 113 hectares
Wildlife: 160 bird species, 46 reptile species, and mammals like the grey wolf (Canis lupus)

2. Ramgarh Crater, Rajasthan

Ramgarh crater site from above, captured from a satellite with a river flowing around

Photo: Stifler.ashish / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

The Ramgarh Crater is an old and degraded impact structure that was formed due to a meteorite collision 165 million years ago. Its meteoric origin had long been a topic of debate, though it was later shown to contain shocked quartz and other impact breccia, which supports the idea of an impact event. The Pushkar Talab, a wetland complex consisting of saline and alkaline lakes, notified under India’s Wetland Conservation Rules, lies on the crater’s floor. Unlike Lonar Crater, here you cannot see the depth or impact from above as there is no well-defined basin due to weathering.

Location: Baran district, Rajasthan
Dimensions: 3.5 km diameter
Total Area: 9.6 square km
Religious Site: Parvati Kund, Bhand Deva Temple
Geological Significance: Contains shocked quartz and impact breccia

3. Luna Crater, Gujarat

Lonar crater lake at a distance, surrounded by greenery, and stairs around the impact hills

Photo: Abhideo21 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

Luna Crater is a small, eroded impact site, a recent discovery, with impact debris dated to 2000 BCE. The crater is 1.2 km across, but it is partially obscured by desert sediments, which make it hard to detect from surface observation. It does not hold water like Lonar Lake owing to its very dry climate. The area around the crater mainly consists of dry land and dunes, which results in high erosion. Decomposing Luna’s debris indicated stishovite and coesite quartz polymorphs that prove hypervelocity strikes. Metal fragments with shatter cones and tektite-like glass also lend credence to the extraterrestrial nature of the material.

Location: Kutch district, Gujarat
Dimensions: 1.2 km diameter
Total Area: 1.1 square km
Religious Site: Luna Dham Temple

4. Dhala Crater, Madhya Pradesh

Meteor Crater in a desert covered with stones and dry grass and a narrow pathway

Photo: DiscoA340 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only

India’s largest and oldest confirmed impact crater is a 2.5-billion-year-old crater at Dhala in Madhya Pradesh. It is 11 km in diameter and much larger than Lonar Lake. But through millions of years of erosion, its structure is poorly preserved. This crater has no lake, with sedimentation and geological changes altering its original structure. Meteorite melt rock, impact melt breccia and shocked quartz demonstrate its meteoritic origin. Because the crater is located in such an isolated, rugged area, studying its surface is difficult. Shivpuri (100 km) is the closest town and access point.

Location: Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh
Dimensions: 11 km diameter
Total Area: 95 square km

Must Have Experiences

Impact craters and meteor lakes in India often appear to overlap with religious sites, with many things to do and experiences to have.

1. Trekking At Lonar Lake

Man standing on a rock with trekking gears facing the lake surrounded by greenery

Photo: Robert Forever Ago / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Exploring Lonar Lake Trek is an unforgettable journey that combines adventure, nature, and ancient history. It takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes to descend into the crater, which is a distance of about 1.8 km. Dense forests on the way are home to migratory birds, langurs and wild boars. The lake itself, whose green hues vary with microbial blooms, is something of a natural wonder. The rim of the crater also features amazing sunrises and sunsets. A local guide can enhance the experience, offering insights into the lake’s geological and mythological importance.

2. Stargazing At Luna Crater

Woman sitting on a rocky cliff with bright stars in the sky and distant green mountains

Photo: Çağatay Demir / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

In Kutch, Luna is one of the places to enjoy stargazing in India. With little light pollution and desert air, the region is perfect for stargazing and catching views of the constellations, planets and meteor showers. November to February, when the weather is cool and the sky is clearest, is the best time for stargazing. Way out by Northern India, the nearby Rann of Kutch is a clear choice for camping out. Set up the telescopes and stare up at the endless star-lit sky, and the Milky Way is visible on moonless nights.

3. Exploring Ramgarh Crater And Parvati Kund

Meteor crater lake site with a green and small water body surrounded by mountains

Photo: Lyn Ong / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Some of the least-explored impact craters of India, Ramgarh Crater in Rajasthan, is one such meteor lake in India, which is an amazing destination for adventure spiced with mythology. With steep rocky formations ideal for hiking and photography, the crater has a 3.5-kilometre-diameter circular ridge. Parvati Kund, a sacred water reservoir with spiritual significance among locals, is inside the crater. The trek to the crater’s highest vantage point offers a sweeping view of the jagged, uneven terrain. The area is rich in prehistoric rock formations and impact breccia, making it a fascinating visit for geology fans.

4. Geological Exploration At Dhala Crater

Crater lake site with a green water body surrounded by sandy shorelines and trekking stairs

Photo: C Wilkens / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

The site, with the impact crater roughly 56,000 years old, is a destination for geology researchers and enthusiasts to study rock formations created by million-ton bludgeons of cosmic debris entering the atmosphere going 40,000 mph. Shivpuri is the closest town, and with the land rugged and lacking marked trails, off-road vehicles are required to navigate the areas. You must have permits for conducting research, as the area is still being studied geologically.

Best Time To Visit

Lonar crater lake with a temple structure near the waterbody and small statues on the complex

Photo: Ishanj6 / Wikimedia Commons

The best time to visit Lonar Lake (Maharashtra) is between October and March since these months have a pleasant climate that is ideal for trekking, sightseeing, etc. If you’re going to Ramgarh Crater (Rajasthan), you must visit between November and February because Rajasthan becomes extremely hot in the summers. The Luna Crater (Gujarat) is best visited from November to February, as other months are blistering hot in this arid desert. Dhala Crater (Madhya Pradesh) should preferably be visited in winter (October to March), as it does not have excessive heat. Winter months have clear visibility, which makes trekking and geological exploration easier.

Other Factors To Consider

Camera inside a bag next to a yellow bottle, camera lens and a pen over a notepad

Photo: Pixabay / Pexels / Image For Representation Only

Average Cost Of The Trip:

A budget trip to Lonar Lake costs around ₹3,000-₹5,000 per person (including train/bus travel and the stay). You can do a mid-range trip with private transport and better hotels for about ₹7,000-₹10,000, and premium guided tours and resort stays can easily exceed ₹15,000. There are not many choices in Ramgarh Crater, so the cost is limited to travel and accommodation in Baran for which you can expect to spend ₹4,000-₹12,000. Luna Crater is located in a desert area, making the expenses add up to ₹5,000-₹12,000. When it comes to Dhala Crater, the price can vary from ₹6,000 to ₹15,000, depending on the kind of travel and lodging.

Tips For Travellers:

Bring plenty of water and snacks, as restaurants are sparse near most craters.
Carry offline maps and a first-aid kit due to poor mobile connectivity.
Book accommodation in advance, especially in remote areas like Baran, Bhuj, and Shivpuri.
Check road conditions beforehand, as some crater sites require off-roading vehicles.
Avoid littering and follow local rules, as these regions are ecologically sensitive.
Wear comfortable trekking shoes for exploring rocky terrain.

Meteor lakes in India is a natural laboratory for planetary geology, extremophile biology, and human-environment interactions. Their capture requires the delicate balance of scientific inquiry, cultural heritage and ecological stewardship. Enjoy things from trekking to these sites, being under a starlit sky, to visiting the religious and historic sites within the area. Plan your trip with TripXL and explore such unique lakes of India.

Cover Photo: Vivek Ganesan / Wikimedia Commons

Exploring Meteor Lakes In India: Stunning Crater Wonders You Must Visit