Everybody has heard a real-life tale or two about some of the scariest places in India. Some people act brave, but the fact remains that a few uncanny stories are spooky, like really spooky. Blame it on circumstances, but spine-chilling accounts confirm the presence of ghosts and spirits, especially when they come from locals. This 25 most haunted places in India just won’t stop haunting as long as their weird tales keep spooking you.
1. Bhangarh Fort in Alwar: Most popular among the ASI approved haunted places in India
The extent of the hauntedness of the Bhangarh Fort is evident from the fact that the Archaeological Society of India has put up warning signs forbidding the tourists to be present in the precincts of the fort after sunset. Hence, no wonder, the fort ranks on the top of the list of most haunted places in India.
Bhangarh Fort is known worldwide for its hauntedness. As per the story associated with the most haunted place in India, Tantrik Singhia fell in love with Princess Ratnavati. He tried to use magic to win over her, but the princess got to know of his evil plans and ordered him killed. Before the tantrik died, he cursed the residents of the fort to die and the village dwellers to remain roofless forever. Certain villages in the city are roofless. Even if a roof is built, it collapses soon after.
2. Brij Raj Bhavan in Kota: Home of the harmless ghost
Brij Raj Bhavan Palace, an old palace built in early 19th century and converted into a heritage hotel in 1980, is one of the haunted places to visit in India. It is claimed to be home to the harmless ghost of Major Burton who was killed by the Indian sepoys during the Mutiny of 1857. This ghost in India is rumored to walk the corridors of the palace and occasionally slap the guards who sleep on their duties.
3. Kuldhara in Rajasthan: Haunted village near Jaisalmer
Known to be a deserted ghost village, Kuldhara is located near Jaisalmer and has been abandoned since the 19th century. It was established in 1291 by Paliwal Brahmins, known for their business acumen and agricultural knowledge. One night in 1825, all the people of Kuldhara and 83 nearby villages vanished all of a sudden.
The mystery of the vanishing villagers is quite intriguing. Though a story talks of Salim Singh, then minister of state, who fell in love with the beautiful daughter of the village chieftain. He threatened the villagers of huge taxes, should they fail to get him married to her. The chief of the village, along with those of the nearby 83 villages, decided to abandon their villages. It is also said that the villagers, before leaving, cursed the village that no one could ever inhabit the land.
4. Dumas Black Sand Beach in Surat: Only few returned to tell the tale
The thing about the most haunted places in India is that they differ so much in their nature and topology. It is believed that the beach was used as a burial ground for long and hence is home to several tortured souls. People have reported hearing whispers of other people talking when they were alone on the beach. But these reports have been given by only a few of them. Rest? Well, they never returned from their midnight stroll on the beach.
5. GP Block in Meerut: Ghosts involved in merry-making
Ranked among the North India’s most haunted places, GP Block in Meerut is known for its numerous ghosts. Several locals have spotted ghosts of girls in red dresses and ghosts of men drinking right outside the building though none of the witnesses could figure out who these people really were. The ghosts disappeared whenever any brave-heart dared to go close to them.
6. Graveyard in Dagshai: Ghosts that bless women with baby boys
Not all ghosts present in the most haunted places in India are bad, or so believe the people of Dagshai. According to a tale, an 8-month pregnant wife of a British Army officer diedin an accident and was buried here. A marble structure of a lady and her baby being blessed by an elf in its lap was placed in this graveyard. A superstition among the wives of Indian Army officers exists that a marble piece from the grave would bless them with a baby boy.
7. Tunnel No. 33 on Shimla-Kalka Train Route: Friendly ghost of Captain Barog
Tunnel No 33 on the Kalka-Shimla train route is one of the most haunted places in Shimla. Captain Barog, a British engineer, was in charge of building this tunnel but failed to build it. The British fined him and he killed himself out of humiliation. His spirit is rumored to roam in the tunnel and have friendly conversations with those who see him. Locals also claim to have seen a woman screamingly running into the tunnel and then vanishing.
8. Charleville Mansion in Shimla: Deserted castle from the British-era
Charleville Mansion, a century-old deserted castle, was built in the British Era and was rented in 1913 by the British officer Victor Bayley and his wife. But, little did he know that the house was also home to a poltergeist. When he heard the tale of the poltergeist from a local, he decided to test the authenticity of the haunted tales. So, he locked the room where most of the haunted activities were reported. When he opened the room, to his surprise, he found the room in shatters. Many other stories have been reported by the Bayleys and subsequent residents.
9. Savoy Hotel in Mussoorie: Even Agatha Christie knew of it
The ghost of Lady Garnet Orme is rumored to haunt the Savoy Hotel in Mussoorie where she was murdered by adding strychnine in her medicine bottle. Years later, the doctor who was tending to her was found dead in similar circumstances. The case created a buzz and found its way to several books including the Agatha Christie novel – The Mysterious Affair at Styles. That is why, even today, it is considered as one of the most haunted hotels in India.
10. Delhi Cantonment Area: Spooky by the night
Clean and green, Delhi Cantonment area is a great place to visit during the day. But as the night falls, you can be lucky (or unlucky) enough to experience its spooky side. Locals and passersby claim to have seen a woman in a sari asking for a lift and chasing the vehicleat inhuman speeds.
11. The Karkardooma Delhi Court: Even paranormal activities were recorded here!
Many lawyers at Karkardooma Court Complex have reported paranormal activities around them. Of all the haunted places in Delhi, this one is really creepy and unexpected. Vigilance camera installed in the court have recorded the shutting and opening of doors, files being plucked off drawers, blinkering lights, the appearance of a hazy figure through walls, and even the dislocation of chairs.
12. Malcha Mahal in Delhi: Diamonds are forever, humans; not so much
Malcha Mahal is hunting lodge that dates back to the Tughlaq era. Princess Wilayat Mahal, one of the last descendants of the royal family of Oudh, did not get her estate back after independence. She committed suicide by drinking grounded diamond. Her ghost is said to haunt the royal palace area ever since. Rumors say that those who have attempted to enter the palace without permission never returned alive. The truth behind these rumors is yet to be accounted for, but that doesn’t stop this place from being suspected as one of the most haunted places in India.
13. Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad: Not all Indians love movies after all
Ramoji Film City, one of the biggest film cities in the country, is actually a haunted place in India. According to witnesses, the spotlights have been seen falling off, light men have been pushed, strange marks have appeared on mirrors, and many crew members have had severe injuries. Females have even experienced their clothes being torn off by a mystical force or being locked in rooms from inside.
14. Kundanbagh Witches’ Lair in Hyderabad: Beware of the 3 dead women
The story speaks of a thief who broke into a 2-storey house in Kundanbagh and discovered dead bodies of the 3 owners. Scared as hell, the thief went to the police station to report the case. Forensic reports stated the date of death to be roughly 3 months prior to the break-in. The neighbors, however, claim to have seen the mother and her 2 daughters walking in the balcony and the lighting of candles in the house at midnight, even until a day prior to the discovery of their dead bodies.
15. Ravindra Nagar in Hyderabad: Possible wrath of the goddess
A series of suicides in 2012 has put the Ravindra Nagar area in the list of haunted places in Hyderabad. People believe it to be the wrath of a goddess in reply to the demolition of her temple. Following the numerous suicides, a number of families abandoned the place out of fear. Many of the abandoned houses have light-bulbs on, indicating a possibility that the families left in a hurry.
16. Shaniwarwada Fort in Pune: Peshwa prince failed to become Vince
The ghost of a 13-year-old is said to haunt this fort, especially on full moon nights. According to the tale, Prince Narayan—the heir to the throne of Peshwa Dynasty—was brutally murdered. Locals claim to have heard his ghost cry out to his uncle to save him.
17. The Mansion on Residency Club Road in Pune: Screams of the elderly lady
The famous ostentatious mansion near the Residency Club in Pune is one of the most haunted places in India. It is said to be haunted by the spirit of an elderly lady who was murdered in her own home, this mansion. Passersby claim to see a shadowy figure of an old lady gazing out of the window and screaming for help.
18. D’Souza Chawl at Mahim in Mumbai: Roaming spirit of a lady
The spirit of a lady is said to haunt the corridors of this chawl. A tube well of the chawl was the source of pure water till a lady fell into it and died. The spirit of the lady is rumored to be roaming around ever since.
19. Bombay High Court in Mumbai: Where murder convicts are threatened by a ghost
According to the lawyers working in Bombay High Court, one of the courtrooms there is haunted by a ghost who threatens those accused in any murder trial from entering the courtroom. There is a joke around the haunted story that stays that if the court would permit, this ghost of possibly a job-loving lawyer or a former murder convict could actually help solve the murder cases quickly and easily. Now, don’t you think so?
20. Fern Hill Hotel in Ooty: The Raaz behind the haunted hotel
The hotel shot to fame during the shooting of the Bollywood movie – Raaz. Such is the extent of the spookiness of the hotel that it has been shut down completely. Choreographer Saroj Khan and her crew woke up one night on hearing the noise of rearrangement of furniture on the first floor. They tried to contact the reception, but the line was dead. Next morning, to their horror, the receptionist pointed out that there was no first floor in the hotel.
21. Vas Villa on St Mark’s Road in Bangalore: Proofs of negative energy exist
Image SourceThe Vas Villa was the home to Vas sisters, Doice Vas and Vera Vas – daughters of a famous lawyer. One day, Doice was stabbed to death in her home. She was buried there and Vera moved out. The house is claimed to be haunted by Doice’s spirit now. Teams looking for paranormal activities have confirmed the presence of some negative energy in the villa.
22. South Park Cemetery at Park Street in Kolkata: Graves of former British soldiers
The burial ground possesses old age graves of British soldiers and many others. The first tryst with the mystical incidents of the place occurred when a group of friends visited the place for photographs. All of them felt dizzy and breathless. A group member had an asthma attack, even though he wasn’t an asthma patient. There are also photographs from the day with creepy dark shadows.
23. Writers’ Building in Kolkata: Tales from the freedom struggle of India
Writers’ Building at the BBD Square in Kolkata is popularly known to be haunted. But the story behind the haunted building dates back to 8th December 1930, when three young freedom fighters – Benoy Basu, Badal Gupta, and Dinesh Gupta – entered the Writers’ building and killed the brutal Inspector General – Colonel N.S Simpson.
Rumor has it that the ghost of Colonel Simpson still haunts the building and the BBD Square (named after the three freedom fighters). Formerly the office of clerks and junior staff under British Raj, the building is now the secretariat of the state government. Many people working there have heard desperate cries for help at night from the vacant rooms of the building.
24. Dow Hill at Kurseong in Darjeeling: Haunted educational institutes
Dow Hill Girls’ Boarding School and Victoria Boys’ High School are other haunted places in India that have been famous for ghost sightings. Locals claim to have heard footsteps after the closing hours and seen a headless boy walk into the woods.
