Haunted Waterfall of Nohkalikai: The Spooky Legend of Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
Introduction:-
Hidden in the misty green hills of Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, lies the breathtaking Nohkalikai Falls—a spellbinding wonder, but one with a chilling past. Whispered through generations, the story of Ka Kalika’s heartbreak and the haunting fate of those who visit this waterfall has gripped visitors for years. Why do so many say they see the shadow of their dearest one near its dangerous cliffs? Read on, if you dare, and let the legend of Nohkalikai sweep you off your feet—but not over the edge.
This is the story of a haunted waterfall near Cherrapunji in Meghalaya. Its name is Noh Kalikaen. Whoever goes near that waterfall definitely thinks about climbing it and jumping from it. The stone on which the water of that waterfall falls. It is said that one can see the shadow of that person without whom he cannot live or whom he loves very much. Some people say that the stone attracts people to jump from there. Many girls have jumped from that waterfall, and some boys, too. It is also written on the board near that waterfall to stay away from here. The story of this waterfall began 80 years ago. Kalika was a girl from a poor family. Her father worked very hard, but still, he did not have enough money for proper food. So, Kalika took up animal husbandry and farming to help her father. There were small farms in that village. Next to it was a farm of a boy. Who used to help Kalika in farming? Kalika fell in love with that boy. That too is a very strong love. Both of them thought that we should get married. Their families also agreed because both of them belonged to the same community. Both of them got married soon. After some time, they had a daughter. Kanika's husband often has to go out for work. Due to the weather, his health started deteriorating. And day by day, it started getting worse. Now it had become difficult for him to go out. He used to stay at home only. Kalika tells her husband, You should consult a doctor. But her husband refuses. He says. I do not trust doctors; I believe in home treatment only. Both of them used to fight a lot regarding treatment. The quarrel between the two started increasing. But still. He does not go to the doctor. And one day he dies. This makes Kalika very sad. She thinks that I could not talk to the person whom I loved so much, even in his last moments, and kept fighting with him. A strange feeling enters her mind. How can I fight so much with the person whom I loved so much? I should have loved him more in his last moments. Maybe this was her regret. Now she had to take care of herself and her daughter. Her husband has a farm and some animals. She starts working to feed herself and her daughter. But due to being such a young girl, she was not able to work properly. Nor could she take care of her daughter properly. She starts worrying about her daughter. She thinks that she should get married again for her daughter. She searches for a boy who loves her a lot, and she finds a boy who has loved her for many years. But her family warns her that this boy is not right. But Kalika marries that boy for her daughter. The boy tells Kalika that I wants love in return for love. Both make some promises. Kalika tells the boy that I am marrying you for my daughter. My first responsibility is towards my daughter. That boy loves Kalika's daughter a lot. He loves her not just for show but with all his heart. He takes good care of the child. Kalika is happy with her decision to marry a good person, who loves my daughter so much. As if she is his own daughter. Kalika is very happy to see them both together. Kalika would often wake up early in the morning and go to work in the fields. She would wake up her husband every morning and say, "You take care of our daughter. I will come and cook food." After 2-3 hours, Kalika would return home and start doing her household chores. After that, her husband would go to work. Every day in their life was going on like this. Every day, Kalika's husband would say, "I also need your love. We should also think about ourselves." Kalika would say, "Right now, our daughter is very young. Let her grow up a little, then I will also fulfill my promise." Kalika's husband then loves his daughter, takes her for a walk. Kalika feels happy that her husband understood her words so easily. Kalika had to go to the fields early in the morning every day. She used to wake up her husband to take care of her daughter. But one day he had woken up before Kalika. Kalika was very surprised to see this: "I wake him up every day." But how did this happen today? He also helps her with the household chores. Kalika was very happy to see how much her husband loved her. This continued for many days. He helped Kalika in her work and also took care of her daughter. One day, Kalika returned home from the field. She saw that the house was locked from the outside. She peeked inside through the window.Her daughter was also not inside. She thinks that her daughter must be with her husband. She goes back to work in the field. Today, she was feeling a strange uneasiness and fear while coming home. Earlier, she had never been afraid of walking on the footpath leading to the house. It was very dark on the way. Kalika's husband keeps a lantern lit outside the house so that Kalika does not face any problem coming. Kalika feels happy that her husband cares so much about her. When she comes inside, her husband is in the kitchen. Kalika asks her husband Where is our daughter? He says she is sleeping inside. Kalika, I will cook food right now. Her husband says You sit, I have cooked food. Kalika is very surprised to see and hear this. Her husband cares so much about her, he has also cooked food for her. He also helps her so much in household work. Kalika's husband says Come, have food. Kalika says Okay, I will wash my hands and feet. Her husband says What is the need to go out? You can wash your hands in the kitchen. Kalika asks what is cooked for dinner? He says chicken and rice. Kalika looks towards the room where her daughter was sleeping. That room was dark. There were only two lanterns in the house. One was outside and the other in the kitchen. Kalika and her husband sit down to eat. Kalika starts serving food. Her husband refuses and says I will serve the food, you sit comfortably. He serves rice and chicken gravy, and boneless pieces to Kalika. He keeps boneless pieces for himself. And both of them start eating. Kalika's attention was repeatedly going towards her daughter. She does not sleep for so long. But she was not able to see anything. It was very dark in the room. Kalika goes out to wash her hands after eating. She feels something sticky on her feet. She thinks I have washed my hands, so it must have splashed on my feet. She comes inside and looks, and she finds something like blood. She takes a lantern to the other side of the house and looks. She is shocked to see the scene there. There was blood all over the place. Her eyes fell on a bowl, in which there were some small pieces like fingers. Kalika shows that bowl to her husband and says What is this? Her husband says This is nothing, you sit comfortably, I will tell you everything. He holds her and makes her sit in one place. He says How many times have I told you, I also need your love. I have removed the thorn between us. Kalika says What do you mean? Where is our daughter? He says What was that which you were eating with rice with so much gusto? I cut your daughter into pieces and fed her to you. Now no one will come between us. Kalika is stunned to hear this. He loved her daughter so much; how could he kill her? She starts hating her husband. She runs out of the house and starts running. She thinks I got married for my daughter, but now my daughter is no more. So what is the use of my living? She runs and reaches a waterfall. When she looks down from that waterfall, she sees her daughter on the stone. She feels as if her daughter is calling her. And saying, Mother, you also killed me, ate me. Kalika starts hating herself. What kind of a mother is she who could not even save her daughter? And she jumped from the waterfall to that stone where she could see her daughter's shadow. That waterfall was named Noh Kalikaen not because of Kalika. After that, whoever goes there after that protest jumps from above. The pain of Kalika is felt there even today.
FAQs:-
Q1: Why is Nohkalikai Falls considered haunted?
A1: Local legends say those who approach the waterfall are tempted to jump, and many have believed they saw the shadow of their loved one on the rocks. The tragic story of Ka Kalika gives the falls its eerie reputation.Q2: What happened to Kalika at Nohkalikai Falls?
A2: After a personal tragedy, Kalika was driven to madness and, overcome with grief and horror, jumped from the waterfall—her spirit is believed to linger at the site.
Q3: Has anyone died at Nohkalikai Falls?
A3: According to stories, both girls and boys have jumped and lost their lives from this site, giving Nohkalikai its ghostly fame.
Q4: Can visitors access Nohkalikai Falls safely?
A4: There are warning signs and safety boards urging visitors to stay away from the cliff edge and respect the area’s supernatural stories.