The Mysterious Magnet Hill in India

Well, its sound quite unbelievable, that your vehicle is moving up at a speed of 20 KM/ hour whiles its ignition off? Off course, you’d be amazed with the start of this story. Yes, it if fact, that magnet mystic can be observed while you’re traveling to Leh-Ladakh, a part of Jammu & Kashmir. Every year, thousands of tourist visit Ladakh to witness the mystery phenomenon of the 'Magnetic Hill' where it is said vehicles are pulled uphill automatically. The mysterious Magnetic Hill located on the Leh-Kargil-Baltik National Highway, 30 kilometer away from Leh-Town at an elevation of 14,000 feet above sea level. On its south side, Indus River flows, originates in Tibet and goes into Pakistan. The magnetic hill has become a popular attraction for domestic tourists on car journeys. The road alignment with the slope of the background can give the illusion that vehicles are able to drift upwards. Travelers normally park their vehicles in the white-marked box on the road to witness the phenomenon.

Therefore, Magnetic Hill is a site, where the layout of the surrounding land creates the optical illusion that a very slight downhill slope appears to be an uphill slope. Therefore, a car left out of gear will appear to be rolling uphill. There are hundreds of gravity hill locations around the world. The slope of gravity hills is an optical illusion, although several others may claim natural or even supernatural forces are at work. The most important factor contributing to the illusion is a completely or mostly obstructed horizon; without a horizon, judging the slope of a surface is hard as a trustworthy reference is missing. Objects such as trees one would normally assume to be more-or-less perpendicular to the ground perhaps actually be leaning, offsetting the visual reference. The illusion is alike to the famous Ames room, in which balls can also appear to roll against gravity. This is a strangely common illusion that is found in various locations around the world. Generally it is a stretch of road in a hilly area where the level horizon is obscured. Objects such as trees and walls that usually offer visual clues to the true vertical perhaps leaning slightly. This creates an optical illusion making a slight downhill look like an uphill slope. Thus, objects could appear to roll uphill, and sometimes rivers even seem to flow against gravity. Although there are quite a lot of things that empower us to sense which way are up. Thus, the balance mechanism in our inner ears is one system we have, but visual clues are also vital and can be superseding.

In one day, five undergraduate (all were 2^nd & 3^rd Year of Mechanical engineering) students conducted investigation and their research verifies gravity does the trick of “pulling' vehicles uphill”. They went there to know what exactly happening at this place. They investigate by using magnetometer in various different sites along the hill and made efforts to check the scientific accuracy of the claims. Therefore, if someone imagines that a massive bar magnet underneath our feet and the field produced by that magnet is what we have measured at the hill. However, earth's surface magnetic field differs from place to place, mostly depending upon the magnetic properties of the soil or rocks. Usually, the magnitude of the earth's magnetic field is different at the surface from 25 microtesla to 65 microtesla. The magnetic field of the earth interacts & differs not because of magnetic properties of the soil, but at a high altitude, this can be affected by space weather as well. Henceforth the student team conducted many experiments; first to measure the road magnetic intensity and then the Magnetic Hill itself and also at nearby hills. We’ve observed relatively high magnetic intensity readings and found from the data that it fluctuates at comparatively higher rate at other places closer to the sea level. However, the magnetic intensity generate by the refrigerator at home is about 100 T which is not too strong to influence any motion. Hence, we measured the highest magnetic intensity of about 60 microtesla which is about a million times weaker than the strong magnet found in the refrigerator or likewise. Hence, it is physically impossible for the magnetic field intensity measured at the hill to produce sufficient force to have any accelerating effect on automobiles. The magnitude of magnetic field in upward direction is relatively fluctuating. But again, this is not strong enough. Thus, the claims such as a turbulence experienced by planes, in all odds, are caused by wind and air molecules which rise steeply due to the mountain terrain which reasons rapid cooling and pressure variations which give rise to various weather anomalies. We were not able to find any evidence of magnetic interference with the flight instruments.

We believe the geographical location of the hill, at a high altitude of about 14,000 feet, confirms that a suggestively high dosage of radiation is received. According to our records, Leh receives the highest radiation for any place on Earth; hence the effects are also noteworthy. So we can attribute the fluctuations in magnetic intensities to the geomagnetic interactions with radiation. In support of the above, we observed noticeable fluctuations of magnetic fields especially during the day, relative to the night at the same place. The team conducted experiments with a bike and observed that the bike reached a speed of about 22 km/h on the first attempt and 19 km/h on the second. The average experiment was reported around 20 km/h. The magnetic intensity variation along the length of the bike, we have found that it doesn't vary and remains constant. However, seeing a possibility that the bike can be attracted by Magnetic Hill, the magnitude of the magnetic field along the bike should change and noticeable difference in the magnitude of magnetic intensity in the front of the bike and the rear.

However, we didn't find anything as such. So, the magician here is the gravity. We’ve also observed that the terminal speed reached by the automobiles irrespective of its size is about 20 km/h on an average. Henceforth automobiles are influenced by gravity. There’s a negative gradient, though very less in magnitude, which affects the body to slide under the influence of gravity. While the other contributing factors to the speed of the automobile are gusts of wind which are recognized to reach up to 15 km/h. Therefore, the so called “Magnetic Hill Effect” observed, is not gravity-defying as claimed but in fact due to gravity coupled with minor influences from its geographical position and altitude. But we do admit that the magnetic intensity is fairly higher but within the normal range hence nothing unusual is to be assumed. Although, tourist visiting the place claim to experience some sort of an influence of the magnetic field. Though, we are not sure whether it is a psychological illusion being at such high altitude..Source: Gconnect.in & Wikipedia and CP

Kumbhalgarh Fort – The Great Wall of India

 The wall that surrounds the ancient fort of “Kumbhalgarh” is one of the best-kept secrets in India, located 84 kilometer north of Udaipur, in the state of Rajasthan, in western India.  The fort which the wall surrounds is built high on a hill and dominates the landscape, being more than 1000 meters above sea level. It is protecting a huge fort that contains over 300 ancient temples, as you may expect this being India. It was hoped, of course, that because of the protection of the wall, violence could be avoided simply because any advancing enemies might not be able to penetrate it. The wall was constructed half a millennium ago in tandem with “Kumbhalgarh Fort” itself, the second most significant citadel after Chittorgarh in the Mewar region. The Kumbhalgarh fort is surrounded by a perimeter wall that is an amazing 36 kilometer long, and varies in width from 15-25 feet. The ancient fort was built during the 15th century by Maharana Kumbha and is one of 32 forts built by the Rajput ruler of the Mewar kingdom. The history claims that 8 horses could ride side by side over it.

Though there’re several massive walls constructed by rulers to defend their kingdoms, building such a large protective boundary around a single fort was unheard of. However, there’s no wonder, the gigantic wall at Kumbhalgarh took almost a century to construct and made the fort impregnable. Although several claim it would be second longest continuous wall after the Great Wall of China. Several legends refer it to called “The Great Wall of India”. Therefore, the unassailable Fort boasts of seven gigantic gates and seven ramparts strengthened by rounded bastions and massive watchtowers. Moreover inside the defensive walls there’re more than 360 Jain and Hindu temples and a wonderful palace at its pinnacle aptly named “Badal Mahal” or the Palace of Cloud? Well, from the palace top, it is likely to see several kilometers into the Aravalli Range and the sand dunes of the popular “Thar Desert” can also be seen from here. According to some famous folklore, Maharana Kumbha used to burn huge lamps that consumed 50 kilograms of ghee and 100 kilograms of cotton to provide light for the farmers who worked during the nights in the valley.

So, tourists should beware of this piece of history, though tempting and well-preserved, is not well-trafficked. Although the remoteness and potential to have miles of ruins all to oneself is attractive to plenty of off-the-beaten-path travelers, but the walls are strong and tall, the hard stones, and though various traps and defensive mechanisms along the wall and fort have been deactivated, that does not mean fortunes cannot happen. Throughout the over five hundred years of its history, the fortress fell in to enemy hands only once and this was only because the drinking water ran out within its walls. Yet notwithstanding its size and its history, the Great Wall of India remains somewhat of a mystery to those outside of India.  Actually, travelers are warned that approximately the lesser travelled areas of the wall should not be climbed. Ancient defense mechanisms and traps, though mostly disabled, are still assumed to exist in some of its more distant positions. Therefore, those wishing to explore the miles of ruins on their own are warned that accidents can happen.

Nohkalikai Falls India

The tallest plunge waterfall is Nohkalikai in India, with a height of 1115 feet.  Nohkalikai falls is located near Cherrapunji, which is one of the wettest places on Earth. This waterfall is fed by the rainwater collected on the summit of somewhat small plateau and decrease in power during the dry season in December till February. The waterfall has formed a plunge pool with rare green colored water. In Khasi language it is called Jump of Ka Likai, which is actually connected to a legend about local women Likai who jumped off the cliff next to the fall. Nohkalikai Falls made a dramatic free leap from a fairly well-forested drainage into a rocky base accompanied by a pretty blue pool. The most of the waterfalls in the Cherrapunjee area had really lost their luster outside of the monsoon season; this waterfall seemed to have maintained its performance. 

Nohkalikai Falls plays the part of a dramatic legend even if you haven’t yet heard the terrible tale that led to its christening. It thunders down and crashing almost brutally on to the rocks below. Nohkalikai is one of the five tallest waterfalls in the country, it roars, swollen with water, so that you can hear it right at the viewing gallery, a fair distance away. You can’t make a spontaneous visit to the bottom of the falls either. It involves a difficult trek over a number of days through the forest. Moreover the weather adds to the drama, making it almost difficult to see the falls without a layer of fog clinging to the cliff or floating protectively around the drop.

 The village nearby Nohkalikai Falls is name “Rangjyrteh” the women Ka Likai resided but had to remarry after her husband died.  She was in deep financial crisis with her infant girl with no means of income. Then she decided to become a porter herself. When she had to go out for work, then her work required leaving her daughter unattended for long intervals, but when she’d be at home, she has spent most of her time with her daughter by taking care of her. Therefore, when she married second time, she couldn’t pay much attention to her second husband. Her husband could not bear her ignorance, and feel jealous of infant and one day he decide to kill her and cooked her meat after throwing away her head and bones. 

Thus, when she returned home, and she saw nobody in the house but except for a meal that had been prepared. She wanted to go look for her daughter but she ate the meat as she was tired from work. Ka Likai generally had a betel leaf after her meals but she found a detached finger near the place where she normally cut betel nuts and betel leaves. She immediately realized what had happened in her absence and went furious and got mad with anger and grief and started running as she swung a hatchet in her hand. She ran off the edge of the plateau and the waterfall where she jumped from was named Nohkalikai Falls after her.Source: Charismatic Planet

Barehipani Waterfall India

India has some of the best and most attractive waterfalls in the world. Every state has its very own show piece, making it dynamic to enlist the waterfalls in every state. So, you never know when you may plan a trip and having this information ready could prove handy. Barehipani Falls is a two tiered waterfall located in Simlipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district in the Indian state of Odisha.

 It is famous for its famous Barehipani Falls which are found in the central region of the national park. Therefore it is one of higher waterfalls in India, situated at 21.932759N 86.380145E on the Budhabalanga River flowing over the Meghasuni mountain. The nearest railway station is at Baripada. The Joranda Falls is also located nearby Barehipani falls. It is 120km far from a small town Jashipur. The Barehipani Falls has a total height of 399 metres.It is tiered waterfall with two drops.

The tallest single drop is 259 metres. The waterfall is very violent in nature during the monsoons season which is evident from the lack of vegetation around the falls. The surrounding area is lovely covered with lush green forest and though on the way there you can spot the local wildlife and birds, native to the region. However; during the night if you’re lucky enough you may spot leopards on prowl as well.

“Bibi Ka Maqbara” is an Architectural Wonder Actually Inspiration from Taj Mahal

There’re very few peoples know; that India has not one but two Taj Mahals? Yes; indeed, there’s a monument indistinguishable to the Taj Mahal that remains in Aurangabad in Maharashtra. This is very attractive mausoleum named “Bibi Ka Maqbara” (Tomb of the Lady) actually built by Prince Azam Shah, the son of the sixth Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, between 1651 and 1661 A.D, in the memory of his beloved mother, “Dilras Banu Begum”. The tomb draws its inspiration from the renowned Taj Mahal of Agra built by none other than Prince Azam Shah’s grandfather, Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. Azam Shah proposed to build a monument that would rival the Taj Mahal. Unluckily, he lacked the treasury his grandfather had access to, as well as the trained labour the treasury bought, resulting in a meager copy of the latter. However; without any doubt “Bibi Ka Maqbara” is an architectural wonder with sophisticated designs, carved motifs, impressive structure and prettily landscaped Mughal-style garden. Due to its robust resemblance to the Taj Mahal, it is lovingly named the “Taj of the Deccan”.

The mausoleum stands at the center of a commodious enclosure measuring approximately 458 meters by 275 meters, with axial ponds, lovely fountains, and water channels, several defined by stone screens and lined with broad pathways. The garden is enclosed by high crenelated walls with fortress set at intervals, and open pavilions on three sides. The mausoleum is built on a high square platform with four minarets at its corners, precisely like the Taj Mahal, and reached by a flight of steps from three sides. The main onion dome of the Maqbara is, though, smaller than the dome of the Taj and its minarets are shorter. Seen by itself, Bibi Ka Maqbara is a striking piece of work, but it pales in comparison to its famous forbearer. While the monument in Agra is made entirely out of pure white marble, the mausoleum in Aurangabad is encased with marble only up to the dado level. Above this is well covered with a high quality plaster polished to give a marble-like finish. Therefore; only the onion dome was built with marble. The walls of the Maqbara are also a little dusky by contrast, which gives the mausoleum a duller appearance compared to the Taj. According to some records, Bibi Ka Maqbara cost Alam Shah 700,000 Rupees to build. If we do the comparison, then the Taj Mahal was built at a cost of roughly 32 million Rupees at that time. This is perhaps another reason why Bibi Ka Maqbara is often referred to as the "poor man’s Taj".Source; CP