With Halloween upon us, it´s worth remembering that spooky spots about across the planet, fed by the dark sides of history which every country has. With its thousands of years of sometimes tumultuous history, India is an excellent example, and its northwestern state of Rajasthan - the country´s largest by area - alone boasts a fascinating assortment of haunted spots that draw not just paranormal fans but goosebump seekers from across the globe. From haunted forts to dark palaces, these eerie destinations promise a memorable experience. Here are a half dozen:
Bhangarh Fort: India´s Most Haunted Place
Located in the Alwar district, this fort and urban complex of up to 9,000 buildings were built during the late 17th century - during the Rajput era of warriors and rulers - are now in ruins, but still attract many curious visitors to its abandoned temples, palaces, marketplaces, and havelis (townhouses). Why is it considered "haunted"? According to legend, a priest who practiced black magic fell in love with a beautiful Bhangarh princess, who refused a love potion he offered her, scornfully tossing it onto a big rock, which ended up rolling onto the priest and crushing him to death. But before the man died, he cursed the entire town including the fort, condemning it to destruction and desolation. It´s open to visitors from sunrise till sunset. The fort lies an hour´s drive from Jaipur and just under six hours from Jodhpur - an enjoyably scenic journey in its own right, including scenic views of rural landscapes and the Aravalli hills, along with Jaipur and another city, Pushkar - and is an easy booking via Rajwada Cab.
Brij Raj Bhawan Palace: The Haunted Heritage Hotel
Built in Rajasthan´s third largest city Kota in 1830 for the British administrator of the city, later a state guesthouse, and since 1964 an atmospheric and very affordable hotel, it´s well known for being haunted by the ghost of British Major Charles Burton, who with his two sons was killed in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, believed to be roaming it hotel´s halls. Some guests have reported seeing his ghost, other bizarre occurrences and a feeling of dread; the staff here is well verse in the hotel´s spooky history can share fascinating stories with you. You can reach it from Jodhpur with Rajwada Cab in 3½ hours, passing through the historic towns of Beawar, Bundi, Jkañawar, and Pali.
Jagatpura and its Haunted Streets
This village founded in the early 17th century outside Jaipur was severely hit by famines in the 19th century, and these days people claim to have seen the ghosts of their victims and heard strange noises in the night on some of its streets. Get to Jagatpura (and explore more of Jaipur) from Jodhpur with Rajwada Cab, whose drivers are familiar with the area´s haunted lore; the six-hour ride also passes the historic Mandore Gardens as well as the historic towns of Ajmer, Osian, and Pushkar.
Kuldhara: The Ghost Village
Located in the Thar Desert a half hour outside the city of Jaisalmer, this once booming town founded in 1291 by prosperous Brahmin farmers was mysteriously abandoned in the early 19th century when the residents disappeared overnight. The story goes that a tyrannical chief minister in Jaisalmer set his sights on the daughter of Kuldhara´s headman and declared he would marry her whether she liked it or not - and threatened the townspeople with massive taxes unless he got his way. In protest, they simply abandoned their town - and cursed it so that no one else could every settle there. Sure enough, those who tried were plagues by unexplained sounds, lights, invisible "watchers," ghostly apparitions, and an unbearable feeling of oppression. From Jodhpur, Rajwada Cab can get you there in an hour and half, passing through desert landscapes, villages, and camel camps.
Nahargarh Fort: Hilltop Hauntings
Built in Jaipur in 1734, the "Abode of Tigers" was one of three forts protecting the city, and is well-known for its spectacular over the cityscape - as well as its dark stories. Legend says that ghosts including those of Rahore prince Nahar Singh Bhomia and maharajah Sawai Jai Singh haunt the premises and are believed to have caused a number of strange occurrences and mysterious deaths. People have reported disembodied voices and other strange sounds as well as ghostly appearances in the complex, and just last year two brothers disappeared - and one was found dead - in one of the mazes of its nine palaces. Visit with Rajwada Cab on a six-hour ride from Johdpur which passes stops including the historic Mandore Gardens as well as the historic towns of Ajmer, Osian, and Pushkar.
Sudhabay Kund: Exorcising Evil Spirits
In the quaint village of Sudhabay just outside the temple town of Pushkar, is home to a sacred well associated with Lord Brahma (Pushkar is the site of one of India´s few temples devoted to this deity) and reknowned for its spiritual power and especially its annual "ghost fair," in which people from across the country gather to conduct exorcisms and cast out evil spirits, chanting and praying, with the afflicted writhing as they are cleansed. However, the festival isn´t tied to a specific date but rather is held according to the Hindu astrological calendar, often on the fourth day of a waxing (for current dates, consult Rajasthan tourism). Visit here from Jodhpur with Rajwada Cab, with the main point of interest on the four- to five-hour journey being the historic town of Ajmer.
More information on haunted Rajasthan: Tourism.Rajasthan.gov.in.
Comments
You would think that there's enough to be frightened about for real in the world today without seeking out yet more scares. But apparently our brains are wired for it, because as the American Brain Foundation observes, "assuming that a threat is not real, feeling frightened can have a positive effect, and knowing that you’re safe can cause a feeling of euphoria." And there´s more where that came from: https://www.americanbrainfoundation.org/why-do-we-like-being-scared/