2022, Vol. 8, Issue 4, Part C

author(s)
Mahesh Patil

abstract
A meteor impact event is mentioned in Sarga 23 & 24 of Rāmāyaṇa, araṇyakāṇḍa. Literature suggests that the cosmic event was observed & experienced from the banks of Godāvarī river, from the location of Janasthāna, a place close to Panchavati (Nasik) in Deccan plateau of India. Various phenomena like meteor falling from the sky, shaking of the earth, formation of dark dust clouds and fear of damage to life, suggest that past civilizations had experienced a severe bolide impact event in the Deccan plateau and this was important enough to find place in the ancient literature. The region is known for a recent impact crater of Lonar which has been dated to have been formed 50k year ago.