India is famous for being one of the world’s most sought-after travel spots. It is known to traditional travelers for its diverse culture, rich and flavorful food, beautiful temples, and impressive structures. However, paranormal enthusiasts like ourselves may be intrigued by its haunted offerings. Historically, India has one of the world’s largest populations and is naturally a very haunted place. After all, the more people that have lived on a land, the more died there. Here are the most haunted places in India, sure to bring an exciting paranormal adventure to your next international trip.
Hauntings of India
Bhangarh Fort
The 16th-century Bhangarh fort, located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India, is one of the most haunted places in the country. The Bhangarh Fort was built in 1573 AD by Raja Bhagwant Singh, the ruler of Amber. His great-grandson, Ajab Singh, built a nearby fort called the Ajabgarh.
It is widely believed that the stepsister of Ajab Singh, the gorgeous princess Ratnavati, had received many marriage proposals from many men. She had caught the eye of a Tantrik priest, who knew that he was ill-suited to be with the princess. However, he was literate in black magic and used his skills to enchant a perfume bottle to make the princess fall in love with him. Ratnavati learned of his actions and threw the bottle at the priest, which turned into a boulder and crushed him. In his final words, he cursed the princess, her lineage, and her village.
A year later, the Bhangarh and Ajabgarh went to battle, resulting in the death of the princess and most of the Ajabgarh army. It is believed that due to the curse on the village, nobody can be reborn, and therefore, the village remains desolate.
There are other versions of how the curse came to be placed on the village, but it is universally accepted that an otherworldly force haunts the fort and that anyone who enters after dark will die before exiting. Due to its haunting curse, the Archaeological Survey of India has officially prohibited entrance to this fort after dark. Would you check this place out?
Jatinga
Jatinga is a small village located in the Dima Hasao district in Assam, India, with a population of only 2,500 people. Despite its quaint appearance, Jatinga houses a strange phenomenon: bird suicides. It is known as a terminus for birds, especially during the late monsoon months from September to November. Ornithologists and villagers alike cannot seem to understand the meaning behind this strange occurrence, but it has been ongoing for years.
It has also been said that villagers are swatting at the sky and killing the birds, under the impression that they are dark spirits haunting their residence. Perhaps there really is a malevolent spirit terrorizing the village through the birds. If you’re into avian cemeteries, this might be your place.
Agrasen ki Baoli
Agrasen ki Baoli is located in New Delhi, just down a quiet path from one of the most popular tourist areas in Delhi, Connaught Place. This ancient stepwell is one of a handful of handmade structures in India that have been restored by the government following the machine age. The architecture of this marvel shows the diversity of India’s culture. The arches preceding the corridors imply a subterranean influence. It is said that the well was built about 5,000 years ago for a king whose existence was never proven.
Now, no one story surrounds this architectural giant. There is vast folklore of curses, spirits, demons, and suicides that are attributed to the structure, but one thing is agreed upon: locals and tourists say that every once in a while, though the well is not in use, the stepwell fills itself with murky water. If you’re in the mood to plunge into a haunted blackwater, Agrasen ki Baoli might be a great place to check out on your next trip.
Dumas Beach
Dumas Beach, located near a Hindu burial ground along the Arabian Sea in Gujarat, India, is one of the most popular tourist attractions during the daytime. At night, however, they tend to scurry off to their hotels for good reason. It is said that beach bums active after midnight can hear the screams of the dead from the nearby cemetery beckoning them. If the tourists don’t answer their calls, they join them six feet under the black sand beach, rumored to be white sand mixed with ashes of the cremated dead.
Barog Tunnel
Train buffs unite! The Barog Tunnel, or Tunnel 33, of the Shimla-Kalka Railway, is said to be haunted by one of its architects. During the 20th-century colonial rule of India, the British government tasked Colonel Barog with building a tunnel for the railway under construction. He made a mistake in calculation and constructed parallel tunnels, which made him publicly shamed. Barog shot himself in the unfinished tunnel pictured above out of embarrassment and shame. It was eventually finished by another engineer, and a small town was built around the tunnel, whose locals say that the Colonel can be seen every now and then around the tunnel. Do you think these locals are hearing the wails of the failed engineer or simply train horns in the area?
Brijraj Bhawan Palace Hotel
Despite its charming yellow walls and well-kept garden, this Kota attraction called Brijraj Bhawan Palace Hotel holds a haunting secret. During the British rule of India, Major Charles Burton visited the palace with his family. As the Sepoy Mutiny broke out, the palace was attacked by natives, and the Major was murdered alongside his children. It is rumored that after the attack, the king of Kota at the time recovered the bodies of the English and buried them in the central hall of the palace. If you dare, this hotel is available for booking. Along with its luxury experience, it also comes with spooky roommates, as the spirits of the Burtons are told to roam the palace halls.
The next time you find yourself in southern Asia, consider checking out some of these spooky spots. Who knows, maybe you’ll be the next one to fall under a love spell or discover a dark secret in the murky waters of a stepwell. Let us know if you’ve ever visited these places or experienced any weird encounters in other places in India.
