Do you happen to be somebody who is drawn to the supernatural? While most people try their best to avoid an encounter with the paranormal, there are also a significant number of us who actively seek out the adrenaline rush of being surrounded by the mysterious unknown. And while the existence of ghosts and spirits has been debated for centuries, the conclusions we draw are solely from our own experiences.
The list of haunted places in India is a long one, each one associated with chilling history or folklore. They include everything from abandoned forts, deserted villages, closed mines and spooky hotels to unlikely places such as courtrooms and schools. If you want to push the boundaries and seek out the supernatural, here are some of the scariest places in India that are must visits by all means:
1. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
Located in the Alwar region, the uninhabited town of Bhangarh is one of the eeriest places imaginable and is unanimously considered as one of India’s most haunted places. It is considered to be so dangerous that even the Archaeological Survey of India has legally prohibited anyone from entering the Bhangarh Fort after dark.
The legend goes that during the 16th century, a tantric named Singhia fell in love with Ratnavati, the beautiful princess of Bhangarh. And knowing it was a hopeless match, decided to use his magic to seduce her. However, the princess uncovered his plans and sentenced him to death. Before his death, enraged by the turn of events, he cursed the palace to doom and the town to be roofless and miserable forever. Nearby locals believe that anyone who goes into the fort after dark won’t make it back, so visit at your own peril.
2. Kuldhara Village, Rajasthan
Rajasthan sure does have the choicest selection of deserted ghostly villages and towns. The Kuldhara village is located near Jaisalmer and was originally inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins. The lore speaks of the sudden disappearance of all the villagers of Kuldhara as well as 83 other nearby villages in 1825 into thin air, leaving no trace of their whereabouts. It is said that the minister of state had fallen in love with a girl from the village and had threatened to impose huge taxes upon the entire village unless they married her to him. To protect the honour of the girl, the chief of Kulhara and surrounding areas abandoned their villages and cursed the land to remain unoccupied for eternity.
3. Dow Hill, Kurseong, West Bengal
The Victoria Boys High School and Downhill Girls Boarding School in Kurseong, Darjeeling, are believed to be the residence of many spirits whose footsteps can be heard echoing through the hallways. There have been countless murdered bodies found in the wood surrounding the schools and several locals and tourists report being followed by a headless boy who then disappears into the woods.
4. Dumas Beach, Gujarat
On the Arabian sea coast, the black sands of Dumas Beach in Gujarat are associated with several mysteries over several years. The beach used to be a Hindu burial ground and many believe that the restless spirits call out to visitors taking midnight strolls and walking towards the sea to return back to the shore. There have been reports that those who don’t heed the voices of the dead disappear into the waters forever. This beach is definitely not for the faint-hearted.
5. Jatinga, Assam
This tiny village with a population of 2500 has one of the most puzzling phenomena in the world, namely recurring mass bird suicides. For centuries now, local and migratory birds plummet to the ground in large numbers on moonless nights of September and October only in a specific area. This has baffled scientists who can’t find any reasonable justification for birds dropping dead from the sky in such a pattern and it is extremely disturbing to say the least.
6. Lambi Dehar Mines
Once a fully operational lime mine employing thousands of workers, the Lambi Dehar Mines of Mussoorie are now abandoned and are considered to be one of the scariest places in India. Due to hazardous working conditions, the lack of safety regulations and accidents, countless workers died in the mines and are now said to haunt the tunnels. Strange voices and screams coming from the mines are a regular occurrence here.
7. Agrasen ki Baoli, New Delhi
This intricately built ancient place in delhi is an architectural masterpiece and is protected by the ASI. However the locals believe it to be haunted by the spirits and satanic demons who lurk in the shadows following visitors around. Tourists have complained about feeling an uncanny dread once they step inside.
8. Ramoji Film City
You may not know that one of the most famous film cities of India was built over the remains of dead soldiers of the Sultanate, whose restless spirits haunt the film sets till today. Stuntmen get injured in freak accidents, lights go off suddenly, mirrors get marked and equipment is destroyed regularly. Women seem to be particularly susceptible and have had their clothes torn by invisible forces and gotten locked in rooms.
9. D’Souza Chawl, Mumbai
Even though this chawl is situated in a populated area in Mahim, Mumbai, the residents have reported ghost sightings of a lady who lurks around the area at night and vanishes without a trace once the sun is up. The locals believe she was an old lady who fell into a well while drawing water and drowned as no one heard her shrieks for help.
10. Bombay High Court
The lawyers working in the Bombay high court believe that one of the courtrooms is haunted by a vengeful tortured spirit who restricts the entry of the accused into the courtroom in every murder trial. Reportedly this has been going on for almost three decades which is also best known as historical places in mumbai.
Wrapping Up
These are just a few of the scariest and most haunted places in India and each of them have tragic and spine chilling stories. They have become popular amongst those who are fascinated with ghosts and spirits. If you’re one of them, you know where to head to!
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