Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Buses to Fardapur (?45, 1½ hours) depart half-hourly from the bus stand starting at
6am, continuing to Aurangabad (?160, four hours).
Jalgaon's train station and bus stand are about 2km apart (?20 by autorickshaw). Private
bus companies on Station Rd offer services to Aurangabad (?140, 3½ hours), Mumbai
(?350, nine hours) and Pune (?350, with AC ?550, nine hours).
WORTH A TRIP
LONAR METEORITE CRATER
If you like off-beat adventures, travel to Lonar to explore a prehistoric natural wonder. About 50,000 years ago, a
meteorite slammed into the earth here, leaving behind a massive crater, 2km across and 170m deep. In scientific
jargon, it's the only hypervelocity natural-impact crater in basaltic rock in the world. In lay terms, it's as tranquil
and relaxing a spot as you could hope to find, with a shallow green lake at its base and wilderness all around. The
lake water is supposedly alkaline and excellent for the skin. Scientists think that the meteorite is still embedded
about 600m below the southeastern rim of the crater.
The crater's edge is home to several Hindu temples as well as wildlife, including langurs, peacocks, deer and
numerous birds.
MTDC Tourist Complex
( 07260221602; d with/without AC ?1300/1060; ) has a prime location just
across the road from the crater, and offers eight rooms of relatively good value, considering the location. There
are a couple of buses a day between Lonar and Aurangabad (?150, 3½ hours). It's also possible to visit Lonar on a
day trip from Aurangabad or Jalgaon if you hire a car and driver, and don't mind dishing out about ?2400.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Nagpur
0712 / POP 2.4 MILLION / ELEV 305M
In the heart of India's orange country, Nagpur is located way off the main tourist routes.
Apart from being at its festive best during Dussehra, the city - as such - is hopelessly
devoid of sites. Nonetheless, it makes a good base for venturing out to the far eastern
corner of Maharashtra. First up, it's close to the temples of Ramtek and the ashrams of
Sevagram. Besides, Nagpur is also a convenient stop for those looking for tigers in the
isolated
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
, 150km south of Nagpur, as well as Pench National
Park, just across the border in Madyha Pradesh.
If you have some time to kill in the evening, take a stroll in the city's Civil Lines area,
dotted with majestic buildings and mansions dating back to the Raj, now used as govern-
ment offices. Summer is the best time to sample the famed oranges.
