LONAR, a small town in the Buldana district of Berar, in lat. 19° 58' 50" N., long. 76° 33' E. ; population in 1867, 1865. It is a place of great antiquity, at the side of a lake, which in Hindu fable is the dwelling of Lonasur, a giant who was overcome in single combat by an incarnation of Vishnu, and around the edge of the lake basin are several old temples. The lake is at the bottom of a crater-like depression, about 510 feet below the level of the surrounding country, and its bottom is 3 miles in circumference, with a depth varying from 5 to 14 feet, according to the season of the year. Dr. Bradley in 1851 is said to have found scoria and lava. The Sichel Hills terminate in the neighbourhood of Lonar. The crater is a nearly circular depression, in a country composed of tabular and nodular basalt. From Lot= the basaltic district extends to the S.E. as far as Beder ; to the west, 200 miles to Bombay ; and northward, to the banks of the Nerbadda, near the ancient cities of Indoor and Mhysir, reported to have been buried at a remote period under volcanic eruptions. It is a great basaltic region, and the Sichel range passes in a south-east by east direction to the confluence of the Wardha and Godavery, and towards the Eastern Ghats. Hot springs and streams, loaded with carbonate of lime, occur along the line of elevation of these mountains, at Mahoor, Urjunah, Kair, Byorah, and at Badrachellum, a short distance above the pass through which the Godavery reaches the alluvial plains of the east coast. Springs of clear soft water occur close to the lake. A stench of sulphuretted hydrogen is emitted by the lake during the heat of the day, but flocks of duck and teal dot its surface. There are two saline springs near the centre of the lake, and about half a mile apart. These never become dry. It is supposed that the muriate of soda from this source, coming in contact with the carbonate of lime which abounds in the vicinity, causes the deposition of carbonate of soda or natron salt in a greater or less state of purity. The salt is raised by divers,
who bring it up in their bands. It is much prized, and finds a ready sale in both Berars, Nagpur, Kandesh, and Poona. The lake was regularly worked up to 1836, in which year 2136 candies of the different salts were raised, valued at Rs. 60,081. In 1853, Major Johnston raised 35 candies, valued at Rs. The sulphuretted hydrogen, especially during the heat of the day, rises in millions of bubbles to the surface. The purest carbonate of soda or natron salt deposit is found close to the springs. The following are the names of the principal varieties :-1. Dulla, car bonate of soda, containing per cent, of soda ; 2. Nimmak Dulla, nearly pure salt, containing 92.8 per cent. of chloride of sodium. Dulla and Nimmak Dulla are used for dyeing silks, fixing colours, as medicine, and in the manufacture of bangles, of which there are two manufactories near the lake, where 600 or 700 are made by each man daily.
3. Khappul contains 72 per cent. of carbonate of soda, is used in fixing the red dyes of cloths ; 4. Pappree contains 72 per cent. of carbonate of soda, is used in making bangles, in baking the cake called papar, and in medicine as an antacid ; 5 and 6. Bhuski are neutral carbonates of soda, containing 29 and 27 per cent..left as a deposit on the margin of the lake, and used in the manu facture of soap. The average quantity is 213 candies per annum, valued at Rs. 608.
The water is clear and free from odours, but the mud at the bottom is highly charged with sulphuretted hydrogen. Natron slowly forms under the mud. The water of the lake contains, besides a little potash, muriate of soda, 29 grains ; sesqui carbonate of soda, ; sulphate of soda, 0.1, in 1000 grains of water. No lime or magnesia detected in it.
—Carter's Geological Papers 01,Z Western India, p. 33; Drs. G. Smith and J. in M. E. J. R. of 1857 ; A Paper by Dr.13uist in Trans. Bombay Geog. Society.