What are the biggest meteorites ever found in India?
General knowledgeAsked by Anonymous23 Oct 2026, 8:46 AM ISTUpdated
In one line
The biggest meteorites found in India are the Shergotty, Piplia Kalan, and Lohawat meteorites.
Shergotty meteorite — Martian shergotty meteorite discovered in India, Bihar The Shergotty meteorite, one of the largest and most famous meteorites found in India. Image: Wikipedia
The rule
A meteorite is a piece of rock or metal from space that survives its journey through Earth's atmosphere and lands on the ground.
Let's understand it simply
Imagine a cricket ball thrown very high into the sky. Now, imagine a rock from space falling down to Earth, just like that cricket ball, but much faster. If it survives the fiery entry and lands, we call it a meteorite. Some are small like pebbles, but some are huge, like a big watermelon or even bigger!
How it works
A rock or metal chunk travels in space.
It enters Earth's atmosphere at high speed.
It heats up and glows (we see it as a shooting star).
If it doesn't burn up completely, it lands on Earth as a meteorite.
People find these meteorites and study them.
How a meteorite reaches Earth
A rock travels in space
It enters Earth's atmosphere
It glows and heats up
It lands on Earth as a meteorite
The story behind it
India has seen many meteorite falls over the years. Some were so big that they made news all over the world. The Shergotty meteorite fell in Bihar in 1865 and is famous among scientists. The Piplia Kalan and Lohawat meteorites are also among the largest found in India.
Where you see it in real life
Shergotty meteorite (Bihar, 1865): Weighs about 5 kg. Famous because it is a rare type called a "Martian meteorite" (came from Mars).
Piplia Kalan meteorite (Rajasthan, 1996): Weighed about 42 kg. It is one of the heaviest meteorites found in India.
Lohawat meteorite (Rajasthan, 1994): Weighed about 50 kg. Another very large meteorite.
Bhuka meteorite (Rajasthan, 2006): Weighed about 678 grams, not the biggest, but still important.
Kamargaon meteorite (Assam, 2015): Weighed about 12 kg.
Why it matters
Meteorites help scientists learn about space, planets, and the early solar system.
Some meteorites are very rare and valuable for research.
They remind us that Earth is part of a bigger universe.
Meteorite falls can create excitement and curiosity in people.
Common mistakes
Thinking all meteorites are huge. Most are small, like stones.
Mixing up meteor, meteorite, and asteroid. Meteorite is the one that lands on Earth.
Believing meteorites are always made of gold or valuable metals. Most are just rock or iron.
Remember it
The biggest meteorites found in India are Shergotty, Piplia Kalan, and Lohawat—think SPL (Shergotty, Piplia, Lohawat)!
Check yourself
Which is the largest meteorite found in India?
The Lohawat meteorite (about 50 kg).
What is special about the Shergotty meteorite?
It is a rare Martian meteorite (came from Mars).
Why do scientists study meteorites?
To learn about space, planets, and the early solar system.
Why are most meteorites not valuable metals?
Most are made of rock or iron, not gold or precious metals.
Quick recap
Shergotty, Piplia Kalan, and Lohawat are the largest meteorites found in India.
Meteorites are rocks from space that land on Earth.
The Shergotty meteorite is famous for coming from Mars.
Most meteorites are small, but a few are very large.
Meteorites help us learn about space and the solar system.
