CyberDunia

Believe it or not, there are more haunted places in India than you can count. If you pack your bags today and start visiting these places, you might take almost a month to visit them all. What’s interesting is the reason that makes these places popular. If rumours be believed ‘Ghosts’ do exist, and some of these places have managed to remain haunted for years. While the subject of existence is a matter of argument, we bring you the complete list of all the allegedly haunted places in India, in alphabetical order.

1. Aleya Ghost Lights, West Bengal




Will-o’-the-wisp or Foolish fire in Latin, is a phenomenon noticed at night, mostly around swamps and marshes. Aleya ghost Lights in West Bengal is one of those places where you can notice these lights. The area is said to be haunted by a Fisherman’s spirit. The light pattern people usually notice, suggests a fisherman figure which appears from a distance in the dark. Fishermen in the area consider these hovering lights to be a sign of danger.


2. Agrasen Ki Baoli, Delhi




Agrasen Ki Baoli is a tourist spot by the day and a haunted place by the night. Recently came in the news for a scene in the controversial movie PK, where Aamir Khan’s character was seen roaming around in the Baoli. Rumor has it that the place was filled with black water which enticed the visitors to go deep or jump and commit suicide.


3. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan



Bhangarh Fort has been one of the most haunted places in India for years. Another place which is featured in films, but the film was shot during the day. The ruins of the fort are said to be haunted for decades. Even the government has prohibited entry to the fort after the sun sets.

4. Brijraj Bhavan Palace- Kota, Rajasthan



We kid you not, this one has an actual story to back the spookiness. During the 1857 mutiny, Major Burton who was posted in province of Kota was killed by Indian Sepoys. The Ghost of Major Burton haunts the place and is said to be a harmless ghost except for the guards, who allegedly get slapped once in a while by the ghost.

5. The Church Of Three Kings, Goa



The story behind this Church is a classic example why there is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed. Back in the day, three Portuguese kings always fought over the kingdom of Goa. One king named Holgar, called the other two for a meeting in the now famous ‘The Church Of Three Kings’ and poisoned them to claim the throne. Later, upon discovering that he killed the other two kings, a huge crowd came after him to kill him. The King himself committed suicide by consuming the same poison. All the kings were buried in the same church. It is one of those haunted places in India that is NOT avoided by the visitors.

6. Delhi Cantt, Delhi




The refreshing air of Delhi has much more to offer to tourists than just old buildings. If you happen to be around the Delhi cantonment area, ask people around for the spooky stories. Hundreds of people have felt and seen the presence of an eerie lady ghost who haunts the area.

7. Dow Hills, West Bengal




Death Road, as the locals call it has been reported on many occasions for being chased by a headless boy. The boy apparently disappears into the woods. There have been news of suicides and people falling into depression after visit Dow hills.

8. D’Souza Chawl- Mahim, Mumbai




There are many haunted places in Mumbai, but D’suza Chawl has been in the news many times. It is said that the spirit of a deceased lady haunts the corridors of this chawl and has been spotted many times near the tube well which is not in use anymore. The well was a source of pure water for many years till a local lady fell into the well and died. Ever since this accident, the spirit of the lady started roaming in the chawl.

9. Dumas Beach, Surat, Gujarat



Dumas Beach is considered one of the most haunted places in India. It was once a cremation ground for Hindus and that’s when the stories begin to bud. The beach is said to be haunted by the spirits of the souls that are still looking for peace. Thousands of people visit the beach everyone, but there have been very few reports or paranormal activities.

10. Fern Hill Hotel, Ooty




Though shut down now due to the haunting, this hotel, shot to fame during the shooting of Raaz, reports of a famous incident experienced by Saroj Khan the choreographer and her troupe. After settling for an early night due to shooting next morning, the crew was kept awake by someone rearranging furniture in the room above. When they tried calling reception the phone was dead. Desperate for sleep, some went down to complain, only to have the receptionist escort them outside and point upwards to show that there was no floor above.

11. Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, Delhi



On Thursdays every week, crowd visits the Feroz Shah Kotla ruins to pay their obeisance to the djinns. These people pray, light candles and even write letters to the Laat Wale Baba and tie it to the railing which guards 2000 old pillar in the premises.

12. GP Block, Meerut



A lot of people have seen the same things happening in the area. According to the people who have witnessed the abnormalities, four men were spotted drinking, also a woman in red was spotted by many. The reason it is spooky is that none of the witnesses could ever figure out who these men were.

13. Grand Paradi Towers, Mumbai




One of the poshest locations in Mumbai is also the home to one of the most haunted places in India. This building has seen as many as twenty suicides in the past decade. These unnerving incidents started with the suicide of a couple, followed by the jumping of their children & grandfather the next year. Over years, incidents of maids, children falling or jumping off a window have been reported. The reasons behind these suicides never saw the light of the day.

14. Jamali-Kamali Masjid



It is unfair to look at a holy place as haunted. Most people wouldn’t even believe. But some jihns do haunt this tranquil masjid. The visitors could expect to get slapped by invisible hands and chased by the mysterious wind. Most people avoid this place after sunset.


15. Jatinga Valley, Assam


This beautiful valley in Assam came in the news for mysterious bird suicides in large numbers. It was observed that the birds that migrate to Jatinga valley started dying in a large number during the moonless nights. Even scientists couldn’t explain these incidents.


16. Kuldhara, Rajasthan



The place came in the news back in the 1800s when the villagers started abandoning the place. The last villagers to leave the village were never found. The stories narrated by the villagers were captured in video format by many travelers, they can be easily found on the Internet. Kuldhara is located within a few hours distance from Jaisalmer.

17. Lambi Dehar Mines, Uttarakhand



Finally, a place that is haunted by a Witch, the list was almost getting gender biased. But when there are scary ghosts, there are evil witches too.

18. Lothian Cemetery, Delhi



The oldest burial ground for Christians in Delhi is also the ground for unexplainable activities. Interestingly the stories about Lothian Cemetery resemble the plot of a horror movie as, people have seen a headless ghost walking in the Cemetery with his head in hands. Who is to say if it is true?


19. Malcha Mahal, Delhi



It isn’t fair to call this place haunted as no ghostly activities were ever recorded in this area. But, since a significant number of people including some reporters have tried have entered the Macha Mahal premises and never returned. If, not haunted, there certainly is something mysterious about the place.


20. Mukesh Mills



Mukesh Mills,built in 1870 is considered one of the most popular haunted places in India. Many films and the famous song Jumma chumma de de was shot on this location. One if the most famous incidents reported in Mukesh Mills was of an actress getting possessed by a spirit and warning off the staff to clear out of the place in a spooky male voice. Mukesh Mills has always been on the list of most haunted places in India.


21. National Library, Kolkata



Apart from the rich literature, the National Library of Kolkata has its own stories to offer to the readers. Many paranormal activities have been recorded here. You might want to ask the guards who are afraid to take night shifts in the library.

22. Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad



One might think a platform made to showcase Drama (in form of cinema) cannot be anymore dramatic. But, Ramaoji city has surpassed the expectation of people and took the Drama quotient to another level. Many hotels in the film city have been reported for usual activities, and no, no VFX were involved.


23. Raj Kiran Hotel Lonavla




This hotel in the picturesque hill station of Lonavla, is famous for its haunted room right behind the reception in the lobby on the ground floor of the hotel. The guests who have stayed there have reported movement in the room, sheets being pulled on sleeping and an unnatural coolness in the room. The hotel does not give out this room to people unless they ask for it.

24. Savoy Hotel, Mussoorie



In the summer of 1911, a spiritualist named Frances Garnett-Orme stayed at the hotel with her friend. One night the hotel staff found her dead body under mysterious circumstances. Late it was revealed that she was poisoned. It was the beginning of a spooky and mysterious adventure which continued for years. Many people were found dead in the same hotel after that. Visitors have complained about disturbing noises and walking spirits in the lobby. It is considered on of the most haunted hotels in India.


25. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai




If you are anywhere inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park, you might want to avoid giving lifts to even. If the stories of the guards of the national park are believed, there is a spirit of a phantom that asks for a lift, what happens after that is unknown to mankind.

26. Shaniwarwada Fort, Pune




The localities in the area have heard an unknown voice crying for help, mostly during the full-moon nights. The voice, which people say is of a young boy, asks for help saying, ‘Kaka Mala Vachwa’ which translates to Uncle save me. Some people say that the young prince of the Fort died in the old fort and he is the one who cries for help, hence the name Shaniwarwada Fort.

27. South Park Street Cemetery, Kolkata




If you are a fan of The Walking Dead, the South park street Cemetery of Kolkata has a story for you. No, there are no zombies walking around the cemetery, however, there have been reports of unusual activities in the cemetery. Weird images captured by the cameras, dizziness, and people falling sick after visiting the cemetery has been some common events in the past few years.

28. Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai



Are you kidding me?, should be you first response and it is legit. Even we couldn’t believe the stories. But, as one of the most iconic places in India, it is worth mentioning. It is not known to many, that the architect of the Taj palace killed himself inside the hotel itself. Visitors have complained about seeing something unusual in the corridor many a times.

29. Tunnel No. 103, Shimla



Hill station that has a ghost story for you. Doesn’t that remind you of The Hills Have Eyes? If you ever happen to take the scenic journey from Shimla to Kalka by the toy train, you’d come across Tunnel 103. The tunnel is known for some paranormal activities. Many localities can vouch for it.


30. Vrindavan Society, Thane






The notorious slapping ghost of Vrindavan society is well known in all of Mumbai. There have been complains of queer sensations in the vicinity of the building. The story behind the spookiness of the place dates backs to a suicide/murder of a middle-aged man who lived in the society. Many people have been slapped by this ghost, yet somehow the society is still as safe as any other society in Mumbai.

31. Writers Building, Kolkata



Once the residence of junior servants, the writer’s building is now known as one of the most haunted places in India. The paranormal activities in the building are more frequent than any other place in India. Locals have heard giggles and screams during midnight. There are many vacant rooms in the building, which some people say, holds some secret. Perhaps a door to another world? Or perhaps a cat who is pissed for being locked away.

Who is to say if these stories about these haunted places in India are myth or truth. But, they make great late night stories when you hang out with friends. If you have any such stories, share in comments.

Note: These stories are based on Internet research,cyber dunia is not responsible for the authenticity of the spookiness of these places.
Cover Image Courtesy : indiatourismlocation.blogspot.com

All about Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
An easy and pleasure driving of around six hours from Pushkar had brought us before Bhangarh fort,which had its fame as the most haunted place in Asia. Travellers had been warned by various websites about not to remain in that fort after sunset. It was already 04 pm. So, anticipating the urgency due to closure of the gate when the sun sets in a short while, we entered the fort through Hanuman Gate immediately after parking the car in the designated parking lot. 

There was a Hanuman Temple situated just to the right of the main gate. Due to its proximity to the temple, the gate was named as “Hanuman Gate”. The first thought that came to mind as to why that temple was there. Was it really a haunted place? I just chided my son, Ruchir to start praying so that we return to safety before the sun sets. Ruchir was never interested to visit that place thinking it as weird. But I was. I had read so many articles about that place and I wanted to see it. Later, we came to know that there were four other gates on the outer perimeter of the fort complex. They were Delhi Gate, Ajmeri gate, Lahori gate and Phulbari gate. The nomenclature pattern of those gates reminded us of the gates constructed by the Mughals in their cities.

Hanuman Temple at the gate

The Mughal connection is attributed to the relationship of Sawai Madho Singh, the ruler of Bhangarh in 16th Century with Raja Mansingh I, who was a general in Akbar’s army. These two chieftains were brother. Their father Bhagwant Singh was the ruler of Amber. This Mughal association is believed to be continued till the death of Aurangjeb. When the Mughal empire weakened, Bhangarh was attacked by Jaishingh II in 1720 AD. Later, a famine broke out in 1783 AD, which forced the inhabitants to abandon the city. However, history apart, the fort premises had the reputation of the haunted place till recent years. And, such reputation became the main reason for the tourist to flow in that sleepy village.
At the first sight, it seemed that the ruins of the fort and residential buildings were scattered all over the place, which makes it difficult to see the important places without any guide. Realising the same, the Archaeological Survey of India had put a reasonably good guide map there. I tried to decipher that map, but could not succeed in the first attempt. I started feeling that such maps could be used only after one visited all over the place and returned to the map only to understand what was what. Anyway, with the help of subsequent attempts at the map, we proceeded towards what was once the jewellery market.

The Guide map of the entire fort premises

The ruins of the Jewellery Market were situated along the both side of the narrow lane on which we were walking. The Jewellery market was like a shopping complex of that era. Double storied shops were lined up adjacent to each other. The upper storey and the ceiling had fallen down in all the shops except one. It was the place where the queens and princesses of the royalty would have thronged in the era bygone. Standing in those ruins, I was trying to imagine the scene traders would have left one by one and the last of the traders would be closing his shop and was about to leave the fort. It is also possible that marauding army of the victorious king would be looting and killing the traders one by one. That would be awfully painful. Those painful souls must have roamed around their beloved shops for centuries. Is not painful for someone who establishes his kingdom at a place and then lives to see his people leaving one by one?

Ruins of the Jewellery Market

The path between the Jewellery Market also curved a little and ended near another building, named “Dancer’s Haveli”. The three-storied building, where dancers used to live and perform, was completely in ruins. But the presence of an imposing building totally dedicated to dancers indicated the importance of those dancers in the cultural life of that era. Standing before that haveli, I started thinking about the fate of those dancers, when they decided to leave. Was it that they were snatched away by the victorious army or did they leave out of their own sweet will? 

Ruins of the Dancers’ haveli

We could reach upto the dancer’s haveli, when two young kids started stalking us. They wanted to show us around against a fee of Rs.100/-. They were two friends who were playing the role of guides. The kids were looking playful but sincere, so I hired their services. As per the version of those kids, ruins situated besides the dancer’s haveli was the two storied residence of the then Priest. That amused me a lot. What a combination that was, the priest was the immediate neighbour of the dancers! But, my imagination was on the scene when even priest of the city decided to leave the city. How could the royalty survived from the shock when the priest would have requested their permission to leave the city? They must have permitted his requested with tears in their eyes. Or, was it that he was not spared by the army?

Ruins of the priest’s residence

Soon, we came in front of an imposing temple of Gopi-Krishna constructed on a high platform in the side of a big compound. A flight of stone staircase brought me to the Mandapam of that temple. Inside the mandapam, the Krishna’s 16-virtues were depicted. The small statues of Lord Krishna playing musical instruments, viz. Dholak, Veena etc. are some of the 16-virtues (Solah Kalayein) performed by the Lord Krishna. Someone would have taken keen interest in the construction of that temple. When did the royalty would have performed their last prayers? How painful it must have been to visit the family deity for the last time to seek its benevolence before deciding to leave the city forever? How many men would have tightened their upper lips with a slight tint of tears in their eyes before stepping down the stairs of that magnificent temple for the last time?

Gopi Krishna temple

The next building, at the back of the Gopi-Krishna Temple, was a Chhatri enclosed in its own compound. Our kid-guides could not tell the actual origin of this structure. “It was for a very important person”, they said and proceeded ahead. Their main interest was to take us to the ruins of the palace. Behind the Chhatri and at the slope of a hill, the palace of Bhangarh was situated. The strategic location of this small palace impressed me. The sun was setting beyond these hills. It meant that for a marauding army coming from the west side, the palace was completely invisible till they would have crossed over the Hill. The east side also get lot of rains too, which was a necessity for surviving in those barren lands.
Suddenly, we saw a small temple-like construction on the top of the adjoining hill. It was reported to be the residence of the Tantrik, who put a curse on the city. The story goes like this. The princess of Bhangarh, Rani Ratnavati, was ultra-beautiful. One day, when she had gone to the market, the Tantrik saw her. He immediately fell in love and wanted to marry her. But she was not interested to marry a tantric. Tantrik tried to seduce her with a spell cast in her oil. But the princess, who was well-versed in Tantra-Vidya foiled his plan by throwing the oil. The oil turned everything into stone and the tantric was also crushed. But before he died, the tantric cursed the place and its inhabitants and all were ruined. The kids also said that a tunnel was there in those times to connect the palace to the Tantrik’s hut. Who knows!

Tantrik’s haveli on the top of the hill

It was not easy to climb upto the entrance of the royal palace. The approach was very steep and stones were slippery. It must have been good for elephants, but for normal soldiers, it must be a tough task. Is it true that the people in those times were sturdier? The slope was so steep that it left us mildly out of breath.
 A thought was always prevailing in our minds that we were about to enter the most haunted place. The palace is said to be 7-storied, but only 4 stories still survives. No one knows the real cause of such destruction that left the entire city ruined. But, there is another story. It goes like this. There lived a guru, named as “Baalu Nath”. He had blessed the city when it was constructed.
However, he had put one condition that the shadows of the city should never touch his house. So, when the palace outgrew and reached to seventh storey, its shadow started touching Guru’s house. Immediately, his powers destroyed the entire city with no possibility of re-construction. Whoom! Phew!

The Bhangarh royal palace

With our kid-guides in tow, we climbed upto the highest point on that palace, from where three successive fortifications could be seen even to this day. A watch-tower still exists in the outer-most fortification. At one of the surviving chamber in the palace, smells of bats were coming. That was the only place, where some kind of creepy feeling came into my mind. The kids-guides were confident though. They told us that all the souls have left the city and it has become just like another tourist spot. The palace was completely ruined. After each rainy season, some portion would got damaged. Rocks, slabs and marble columns were scattered at many places in the palace compound. How many antique items would have stolen from there?

The ruins of the fortification

But the chamber, where swastika mark had been put, was most important. As per our kid-guides, it was the same chamber, where Rani Ratnavati used to live. Still, the locals pay their reverence to this chamber of Rani Ratnavati. The swastika mark on the walls was the indication of that respect.

The Chamber of Rani Ratnavati with our kid-guides

Standing there, again I started to visualise the last prince and last princess, who would have left the palace for the last time. It was the place where they had lived and played all their lives. It was the place where they had their fun and frolics. How did the royalty take the decision to leave for the unknown future? How did they leave their regular retinue of helps and sentries and left for some other place never to return here? Who would have been the last patriarch who took that responsibility to transport the entire family through the forest to a distant place? Or, was it that none were spared by the marauding army and put to painful death? Anyway, with multiple thoughts and also little gloom, we came out of the palace.

A step-well was nearby. Actually, it was a combination of a fountain, big step well and a small step well. Snakes were swimming in the water of smaller step well. The kids informed that bigger well had bigger snakes. Two overly-drunk boys, who fell into the well, immediately died of drowning as well as snake-bite. After that, an attempt was made to barricade the perimeters of the well. But the barbed wire was broken at many points. People could still accidently fall into this well. It was also astonishing that the well had survived for 450 years.

Step well that still contains water

Next to the step-well was the “Someshwara Temple” dedicated to Lord Shiva. Shiva was the cherished deity for our two kid-guides. They informed us that the locals used to visit that temple for worshipping the deity with the flowers of Kewda. 
Those aromatic flowers are also used as spices. Incidentally, lots of Kewda plants (Screwpine) were there in the vicinity. A boy was also selling these flowers for using as aromatic flowers or as spices. Someshwara Temple was built on the Nagara style of temple architecture.
Since, it was still being used by the locals; they had kept it very clean and on working condition. We felt very nice standing there.

Someshwara temple

The sun was setting at Bhangarh. Throughout our stay at Bhangarh, Ruchir kept looking at the position of the sun. In no way, he wanted to be caught in the wrong side of the time. So, after visiting all the major monuments of an abandoned fort and palace, he started insisting to leave.
Soon, the sheet of darkness would prevail there and then no mankind would enter the fort. But once, a group of journalists had spent a night at this place to prove or to find about the truth. They all returned unharmed. So, the myth was broken at that time. But who knows, whether they were spared!

After coming out of the Bhangarh ruins, I took a very wrong decision to return to Delhi through the State Highway 29A via Tehla till Sariska. The area was well forested. At one point of the road, we saw three foxes crossing the road the moment before we passed. They moved so swiftly before my eyes that I had not time to stop the car for taking their pictures.

An evening on the state highway through forest

The first three hours of driving was spent in the most horrible road conditions on the State Highway 29A till Sariska and then on State Highway 25A till Rajgarh. 
There was no road at all. We were in a forest and there was total darkness. There was no way one could drive at more than 20 kilometers an hour. 
In fact for two hours, we were in jungle, on a bad road, in total darkness except the car lights and without any human population. Our heart shuddered when any vehicle passed by us. 

Sigh of relief when Alwar came to sight

It was about 10.30 pm at night when Alwar came to sight. From Alwar to Delhi is another 160 kilometers through Bhiwani. One and half our later, I was just 40 kilometers away from Gurgaon. 
I had never loved Gurgaon so much before that day. The signboard showing Gurgaon 40 kilometers was really a confidence-booster. From Gurgaon, we hit the National Highway 08 at about 01.30 am.
There was so much traffic on the highway that my heart sank. It took us about two hours to cover the distance of 40 kilometers and we reached home by 03.30 am. Ohh! What a drive it was. 
From Pushkar to Delhi, we had covered a little over 500 kilometers. But the memory of driving into the vicinity of Sariska forest at night will always remain in my mind. Anyway, I will never recommend that route to anyone till it is repaired. 
I still feel that some benevolent soul of the Bhangarh ruins protected us throughout the journey that night.
--ghumakkar.com