And finally, after making our way through the forests, we were at the Lakebed. After praying to God Shiv in the Wagh Mahadev Temple, test of alkalinity of the lake waters was the first task. Just by washing hands with the Lake water, the soapy essence of water can be felt. Taking a round of the Lonar lake was next activity, so we started back. Visitors carrying a plastic bottle must come back with the bottle, otherwise security deposit of ₹ 100 per plastic bottle will not be refunded by the forest officers on return. Welcome step to ensure no plastic waste is left behind in the forest.
Retracing our steps we returned via Gomukh temple, clicked again a few pictures and drove to Lonar Lake Wildlife sanctuary gate to take a view of Lake from the top. First thing we did to check the alkalinity of the waters. We had to drive around the Lake as well, so it was time to return. Another 5 minutes we were inside the Sanctuary, moving around the lake, driving along a winding road surrounded by nature's tranquility.
At last, we were at the rim of the
great crater – the cherished moment awaited since the beginning of the trip. From
watch tower 2, the sight was nothing short of awe-inspiring. The lake lay
beneath us like a colossal emerald bowl, cradled within a ring of dense forest,
untouched and eternal.
It felt as though we stood at the edge of another world
and clicked numerous pictures to take the moment with us. From the edge we could see the trek we had just finished to the lakebed. The clock was about
to strike 5 PM, and we had to exit. Before leaving, we took two minutes at the
entry gate to soak in the lake’s aura one last time. The voyage to Lonar was not just another excursion, it was a walk-through nature’s wonder wrapped around the echoes of history, and the mysteries of the cosmos itself. Light was still on our side, driver talked about Motha Maruti Mandir, where Hanuman Ji is in sleeping posture. 9 ft. long and 4 ft. wide statue of Hanumanji was found around 1840 in the woods and was covered with around 20 quintals of सिंदूर (vermilion) which was subsequently removed to reveal the present form of statue. Shani Dev (Saturn God) is under left foot of Hanumanji, while right foot is on the Earth. Devotees of God Hanuman get respite or are cured from challenges posed by Shani Dev. Zooming the statue to see Shani Dev - The statue is made of magnetic rock, believed to be a splinter from the meteorite that had struck the place > 52,000 years ago. Devotees of God Hanuman get respite from and are cured from Shani Dev's challenges. Shani Dev had promised that he will never trouble devotees of Hanuman ji when Hanuman ji had rescued Shani dev from Lanka, before torching Lanka. Read more about rescue of Shani dev and how he landed in Morena.
We were just praying and chanting Hanuman Chalisa and almost 30 minutes went like a flash. Within the sacred silence of the temple, may be the presence of divine cosmic energies that made us forget the world and calmed the mind. We came out on seeing driver asking us to put in the shoes and start to Daityasudan Mandir, place where God Vishnu sent demon Lonasur to depths of underworld. Till writing this post memory lingers, like a tale not fully told. May Gods give me another chance to visit the spot once more.
Keep exploring folks…
