One common law we all know, in the end, is that water always flows to the bottom. But in the peaceful village of Bisir Pani (also known as Bisar Paani), Mainpat, Surguja district of Chhattisgarh, this appears to be a rule. Just down here, a place called Ulta Pani, water comes and goes up, rather than down. This odd feature has astonished tourists for years and garnered Mainpat the moniker “Shimla of Chhattisgarh.”
At first glance, water appears to be moving upwards against gravity. Streams and minute flows appear to rise and fall so easily that people are puzzled. But it is the landscape that is the true reality. A gravity hill illusion exists in the slopes and the vicinity. The nature of the land deceives the eye to believe that water rises, but it is instead still moving downhill. The tilted horizon and uneven ground give the hill its sense of being the opposite of what it is.
This is not an illusion limited to Mainpat. Similar spaces have been found around the globe and are often named as “magnetic hills” or “gravity hills.” But Ulta Pani is arguably one of the most interesting spots anywhere in India.
Mainpat is already home to a cooler climate, green hills, and Tibetan settlements. Its natural beauty and peaceful environment make it a favorite place for tourists, who compare it to Shimla. Ulta Pani adds a bit of magic to this hill station. Not only are visitors able to enjoy the fresh air and view of the scenery, they are also invited to observe this real-life miracle that upends all that they once believed. People often test the illusion by pouring water or watching cars roll as they stand at Ulta Pani. They were amused, and shocked, by the experience. It is a potent reminder that nature can play some nifty tricks with our senses.
Ulta Pani is more than just a tourist attraction. It demonstrates how readily a person can be deceived by the environment. It serves to illustrate the significance of geography and visual science in appreciating natural phenomena. For locals it is something to be proud of, attracting curious visitors from afar. For tourists, it is also a story to tell, one told in a location where water feels as if it should scale uphill.
Ulta Pani in Mainpat is the quintessential experiment in how nature and illusion meld for wonders. Although science says it is an optical illusion, the thrill of actually experiencing it to see it up close is unmatched. If you ever visit Chhattisgarh, then visit a village called Bisir Pani and visit this strange place yourself. Occasionally the most magical experiences are those that break what we think we know.
