Ever seen a reverse waterfall? Maharashtra's viral magic waterfall 'defies gravity'

Nothing beats the magic of a trek in India, where rain-soaked hills come alive with hidden surprises. Maharashtra's Western Ghats are no less than a place of miracle that seem to defy logic and science, well atleast apparently.


The place has several waterfalls and surreal places filled with greenery, that look no less than magical and turn into nature's marvel, especially during the months of June to August, when clouds burst and winds whip through ancient passes.


Recently, a video went viral on social media, where an influencer posted a video of a magical phenomenon called ‘reverse waterfall’.

The viral ‘reverse waterfall’ sensation

A recent Instagram video has blown up online, showing a stunning reverse waterfall in Maharashtra where fierce rainfall gusts blow water upward instead of letting it fall.

The creator captioned it, "Ever witnessed a reverse waterfall? Not falling down but flying back up into the air," explaining that "this happens in ��Maharashtra during the monsoon, and only on rare days when the wind becomes so powerful that it overpowers gravity itself." This mesmerizing effect turns a normal cascade into mist scattered skyward, creating an unreal, cinematic display.

Prime spots for the phenomenon

Naneghat, a historic mountain pass in the Western Ghats near Junnar in Pune district, is the star location for spotting reverse waterfalls. Located at around 2,600 feet high, it's roughly 120 km from Pune and 165 km from Mumbai, reachable via Kalyan-Ahmednagar highway. A part of Malshej Ghat on the Thane-Pune border, where trekkers climb 4-5 km through jungle trails marked with ancient caves and rock-cut steps from Shivaji's era.

How does this magical phenomenon take place
Strong monsoon winds from June to August lift falling water back up, overpowering gravity and spraying it like fog. The strong force of the wind pushes the gushing waters upwards that is why it is known as reverse waterfall. This kind of rare water and wind behaviour combo needs perfect storm conditions, powerful updrafts against sheer cliffs, for the surreal effect.