Ulta Pani in Chhattisgarh: A Gravity-Defying Wonder
What Is It?
"Ulta Pani" (literally "inverted water") refers to a remarkable phenomenon in Bisarpani Village, near Mainpat in Chhattisgarh's Surguja district, where water appears to flow uphill—defying gravity and creating a surreal visual experience (Wikipedia, News18, thejerker.com).
Where Is It?
Mainpat, nestled at approximately 1,085 meters above sea level, is fondly called the "Shimla of Chhattisgarh" or even "Mini Tibet" due to its cool climate, scenic views, Tibetan refugee community, and serene ambiance (Wikipedia, the aspect. in, chhattisgarhpedia.com).
Within this hill station, Bisarpani Village houses the Ulta Pani spot—just a few kilometers before you reach Mainpat from Ambikapur (Wikipedia, Newsnation).
The Phenomenon Explained
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A small rivulet or water flow emerges from the ground near an old mango tree and, instead of descending the slope, appears to climb upward for approximately 7–8 feet over a span of around 100 meters (ABP News, Prabhasakshi, News18, firstpeople.in).
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Stories tell of cars in neutral gear rolling uphill for nearly 110 meters, as if pulled by a force stronger than gravity (Dainik Bhaskar, theaspect. in, ABP News).
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Scientists believe this is an optical illusion, likely created by the surrounding terrain, slope angles, and visual perception tricks—not a violation of physical laws (firstpeople.in, News18, thejerker.com).
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Some also speculated about the influence of magnetic fields, but there’s no confirmed scientific explanation yet (Dainik Bhaskar, theaspect.in).
A Global Context
Such gravity-defying places are rare. In fact, there are about 5 similar locations in India and 64 worldwide where water seems to flow uphill (Dainik Bhaskar).
Tourism & Visitor Experience
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Ulta Pani has become a fascinating tourist attraction in Mainpat. Visitors often perform experiments—like placing paper boats in the stream—to watch them drift uphill (thejerker.com, ABP News).
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Mainpat also offers other attractions such as Tiger Point, Fish Point, Zalzali (bouncing land), Tibetan monasteries, and beautiful viewpoints (Wikipedia, theaspect. in, chhattisgarhpedia.com).
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Best visiting time: October to March, when the climate is coo,l and the landscapes are lush. Avoid the hot summers and monsoon months for the best experience (Adotrip).
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Phenomenon | Water appears to flow uphill (optical illusion) |
| Location | Bisarpani Village, near Mainpat, Surguja, Chhattisgarh |
| Elevation | ~1,085 meters above sea level |
| Scientific Basis | Likely an optical illusion related to terrain |
| Comparable Spots | ~5 in India, ~64 around the world |
| Tourist Interest | Yes — paper boats, neutral gear cars, scenic beauty |
| Best Time to Visit | October to March |
Want to Learn More?
For a visual dive into this curious phenomenon, check out this video:
Chhattisgarh: आखिर यहाँ पानी उल्टा क्यों बहता है? | Ulta Pani | Mainpat Chhattisgarh | Hindi News
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