Photograph of the Great Temple at Lonar, Buldana District, Maharashtra from the Allardyce Collection: Album of views and portraits in Berar and Hyderabad, taken by Robert Gill in the 1860s.There are many temples on the craters edge, mostly built around the 12th century in the Hemadpanti style of the Yadava period. Lonar Lake is an important site in Hindu mythology as it is considered to be the spot where an incarnation of Vishnu overpowered the demon-giant Lonasur by throwing off the lid and revealing his subterranean cave. The lake is considered to be the giant's blood, a nearby hill is the discarded lid and the crater is the remains of the cave. This photograph is a view of the principal entrance to what is considered to be the finest temple in the area. The exterior walls of the temple are covered in sculpture.
Photographer: Robert Gill
Source: British Library Website