Hindu temple in Bhangarh, Rajasthan. Photo: Atul Tater/ Getty Images
Sounds of screams or silent disappearances—you’ll never know what goes on inside some of the most haunted places in India, once the sun goes down. They are everywhere—in the gorgeous hills of Ooty and Mussoorie, the arid desert of Rajasthan, the crowded streets of Mumbai and Delhi, the student city of Pune, Nizami Hyderabad and even the business state of Gujarat. This Halloween, will you be the hunter or the hunted? Take your pick from India’s most haunted places.
1) Kuldhara, Rajasthan
A Rajasthan tourism advertisement, a few years ago created quite a stir as it saw ‘haunted tourism’ come to the fore with a promotion of Kuldhara. Up until then, this spooky town—20 km to the west of Jaisalmer—known to be one of the most haunted places in India, wasn’t so hot on tourist itineraries. Legend says that the prosperous village inhabited by the Paliwal Brahmin community was abandoned overnight. Prime Minister of Jaisalmer State, Salim Singh had his eyes set on the village chief’s daughter. When the chief opposed this match, the minister threatened to levy huge taxes on them. Not wanting to compromise their honor and in a bid to escape the minister’s wrath, the entire village packed their bags and disappeared. No one saw them leave or knew their whereabouts later. Today, the town remains abandoned. While the gates to Kuldhara are shut post-sundown, tourists can visit during the day.
2) Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
Just the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) sign forbidding visitors post-sunset outside this 17th-century fortress is enough to rank it high on the list of the most haunted places in India. There are a couple of local tales about the fortress that still live on. According to the first one, a hermit named Baba Balau Nath lived within the fort area and Emperor Madho Singh asked him for permission to build the city. The saint gave his approval on the condition that the shadow of the Emperor’s palace should never fall on his retreat. Failing this, the city would crumble into ruins—and so it did. The second story revolves around love and enchantment. A wizard fell in love with Ratnavati, the beautiful princess of Bhangarh. One day when the princess was buying Ittar (scent) at the bazaar, the wizard replaced the scent with a love potion so that she would take a liking to him. However, the princess saw through the wizard’s trickery and threw the potion onto a big boulder nearby. As a result, the boulder started rolling down towards the wizard and crushed him. Before he died, he cursed that Bhangarh would be destroyed. People claim to have heard screams emerge from within the fort and believe that anyone who visits post-sundown doesn’t live to tell the tale.
3) Shaniwarwada, Pune
It is said that this home built in 1732 in the honor of Peshwa Bajirao I, saw several incidents of unrequited love, betrayal, and treachery. In 1773, Narayanrao, the fifth ruling Peshwa then, was murdered on the orders of his uncle Raghunathrao and aunt Anandibai. People say that Narayanrao’s ghost can be heard screaming Kaka mala wachawa (Uncle save me). In February 1828, a great fire started inside the palace complex and raged for seven days. The ghosts of people who lost their lives in this fire are also said to haunt the fortress today.
4) Agrasen Ki Bauli, New Delhi
This 60-meter long and 15-meter wide historical step well located on Delhi’s Hailey Road is believed to have been built by King Agrasen, during in the mid-14th century. Ghost enthusiasts believe that the intensity of unnatural vibrations increases around you as you step down the 108 steep steps of the well. A strong eerie presence is supposed to have been felt by the visitors here and locals believe that the water has powers which entice people to jump into it and take their own lives.
5) Fernhill Hotel, Tamilnadu
This Ooty getaway has a filmy connect. Built in 1844, this heritage property shot into the limelight when the Bollywood horror flick Raaz was shot here in 2002. The story goes that one night during the shoot, the choreographer, and a few dancers couldn’t sleep because of the sound of furniture being moved around in the room above them. When they complained to the receptionist the next morning, they were shocked to find out that there was no floor above. They were heard saying that the hotel is one of the most haunted places in India they’ve ever been to. Publicity stunt? We’ll let you decide.
6) Om Bana shrine, Rajasthan
Say hello to a friendly, loyal ghost at this shrine. This temple in Pali, Rajasthan is dedicated to a bike— a Bullet to be precise. Local banter suggests that on On 2 December 1991, Om Singh Rathore (also known as Om Banna) lost control of his motorcycle and hit a tree. While Om Banna died on the spot, his motorcycle fell into a nearby ditch. The morning after the accident, local police took the motorcycle to a nearby police station. The next day it was reported that the bike had disappeared from the station and was found back at the site of the accident. This is supposed to have happened several times despite the police emptying its fuel tank and putting it under lock and chain. To appreciate the miracle a temple was built on this site and the Bullet continues to be worshipped here.
7) Mukesh Mills, Maharashtra
Mumbai too has a contender for the most haunted places in India. Built in the 1870s, this mill in Mumbai’s Colaba area, was once a center of bustling activity till it shut in 1982 owing to a strike. A few months later an unexplained fire broke out in the mill which left it in a dilapidated state. Post this, many television shows, commercials and movies have been shot here. There have been stories about actors refusing to shoot because of eerie feelings, lost goods, and even possession.
8) Ramoji Filmcity, Telangana
This film studio-cum-amusement-park was apparently built on the former battlefields of the Nizams. It is believed that the ghost spirits of the deceased soldiers haunt the place even today. There are stories of mirrors being scribbled with strange Urdu words, loud knocking on bathroom doors with no one outside. Strangely, it is believed that the ghosts here attack women more often than men. The most popular story you will hear is one where, on a film shooting, the workers managing spotlights from high positions, fell down. It is said that they felt like they had been forcefully pushed.
9) Dumas Beach, Gujarat
Yes, Gujarat has a haunted beach. Popular for its black sand and silver waters, the beach in Surat, considered to be one of India’s most haunted places, is believed to have been used as a Hindu burial ground earlier and people say that spirits still lurk here at night. Tourists going missing post a midnight stroll and dogs howling and barking on the beach as a sign of warning are some of the common rumors you’ll hear about the place.
10) The Savoy Hotel, Uttarakhand
The perfect plot and probably the most perfect haunted story. In 1911, a British spiritualist called Frances Garnett-Orme was found dead at the Savoy in her room, which was locked from inside. Her ghost is said to haunt the Mussoorie property. People say you can hear her whisper at the lodge. The unresolved mystery of her death gave Agatha Christie her first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1920). The legend of Garnett-Orme also inspired Ruskin Bond’s In A Crystal Ball – A Mussoorie Mystery (2003).
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