There’s no scarcity of haunted places in the world. Dingy prisons, British castles, Gothic chapels, lighthouses, ghost towns, and cruises (yes, cruises too!) have borne witness to some of the eeriest paranormal activities. India doesn’t stay behind the race when it comes to paranormal stories, lores, and haunted places.
Yes, there are many haunted places in India visited by many tourists annually just for the thrill of it. Ready to meet the spooky royals of Rajasthan, scary Peshwas of Pune, tortured souls of Mussoorie, and vengeful spirits of India’s national highways? Here are the most haunted places in India that you must visit for their beauty and mystery.
10 Of The Most Haunted Places In India
- Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
- The Church Of Three Kings, Goa
- Mukesh Mills, Mumbai
- Dumas Beach, Gujarat
- Agrasen Ki Baoli, New Delhi
- Shaniwarwada, Pune
- National Library, Kolkata
- Lambi Dehar Mines, Mussoorie
- Kalpalli Cemetery, Bangalore
- Trichur Forest, Kerala
Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
The Bhangarh Fort is on the itinerary of every traveler touring Rajasthan. This majestic 16th-century fort was built by ruler Bhagwant Das for his younger son Madho Singh. The fort ground is scenic as the site is located on the evergreen foothills of the Aravali range. There’s also a wildlife sanctuary called Sariska Reserve famous for its tigers which adds to the beauty of this place. But the fort’s beauty and the biodiversity surrounding it aren’t the only reasons why this place is popular, it’s well known for its paranormal activities!
The story goes that a magician fell in love with the Bhangarh Princess Ratnavati. The princess didn’t reciprocate his love, so to win her over the wizard offered her a love potion. The princess poured the potion on a boulder that later rolled and crushed the lovelorn wizard. With his dying breath, he cursed the kingdom to doom. Not long after, the kingdom fell prey to the Mughal invasion. Today, the spirits of the wizard and the princess are believed to roam the fort. There’s a sign outside the fort put up by the Archaeological Survey of India that denies entry before sunrise and after sunset, you better take it seriously!
How To Reach: Hop on a bus from Jaipur bus station and get down at Dausa. Walk 20 minutes from Dausa to reach the fort. This is the cheapest option of reaching the Bhangarh Fort. You can even book a private taxi from Jaipur to Bhangarh if you like.
Timings: 10 am to 5 pm
The Church Of Three Kings, Goa
The Church of Three Kings or the Three Kings Chapel is a historic and scenic chapel in South Goa. The picture-perfect chapel is surrounded by fields and coconut trees and makes for a lovely place to visit in Goa. Check out its pictures and you’ll recognize it as the church from the Bollywood movie Finding Fanny. This peaceful place has its own share of eeriness which is best avoided after dark.
There’s a lore that there were three Portuguese kings who were constantly fighting for power. One of them, King Holger, once invited the other two kings to dinner on the pretext of arriving at a peaceful solution. Who knew the evil king will end up poisoning his two nemeses? King Holger rose to power but not without the fury of the supporters of the murdered kings. Afraid of being lynched to death, the king poisoned himself.
Today the spirits of the three kings haunt this ancient chapel. According to an urban legend, you’re not supposed to turn back and look at the tree outside this church. Surely sounds like the most haunted place in Goa!
How To Reach: Book a private cab from Dabolim Railway Station to Cansaulim village, once there, ask for a hill named Cuelim upon which stands the Three Kings Chapel.
Timings: 8 am to 6 pm
Mukesh Mills, Mumbai
Mumbai, the city that never sleeps, also has its share of paranormal experiences. The city is old, and so are its secrets. There are many spooky places in Mumbai, like the D’Souza Chawl, Tower of Silence, St. John’s Baptist Church, etc. The most haunted place in Mumbai by far is Mukesh Mills, an abandoned mill famous for the 50 plus Bollywood films shot here. This place in Colaba was thriving with business in the 1870s, but things went south when the workers stopped work in the 1980s.
During the shoots of several movies and TV serials, crew members and actors have claimed to experience negative energies in the mills. Shooting equipment failing, actors being possessed, and rooms getting locked were almost everyday occurrences. But this doesn’t stop tourists from exploring this haunted place in Mumbai. The place is open for functions and wedding parties. If you’re looking for a good destination for a pre-wedding photoshoot, Mukesh Mills is a good option, just remember to pack up and leave before sunset!
How To Reach: Get off at CSMT Railway Station and book a cab to Azad Nagar, Colaba. A short 7-minute walk from here takes you to Mukesh Mills. You can even take a public transport bus from CSMT to Colaba.
Timings: Open 24 hours (but you better avoid it after 6 pm!)
Dumas Beach, Gujarat
Dumas Beach is a top tourist attraction near Surat in Gujarat because of its beauty and serenity (but only when the sun’s up). The beach wears spooky garb after dark, and locals advise you to stay away for good. This scenic beach along the Arabian Sea has blackish sand and is believed to be an ancient Hindu burial ground. It is said that the ashes of the dead mixed with the white sand and gave this eerie color to the sand of Dumas Beach.
Tourists have claimed hearing weird noises, seeing moving apparitions, and feeling a supernatural presence. Paranormal investigators who tried to capture photos have found their camera batteries dead upon returning from the beach.
There have been instances of unassuming explorers going missing, a man was even found dead with his tongue popping out. Sparing you the gruesome details, it’s best you avoid this beach after dark. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t check out this scenic beach for its views and for the street food! Thank us when you try the sweet corn roasted on charcoal on the street outside this beach.
How To Reach: Take a taxi from Surat Railway Station to Dumas Beach. You can even take a bus from Surat Railway Station to Dumas Bus Stand or Bhimpore Bus Stand. Then walk over to the beach.
Timings: Open 24 hours (better to visit between 7 am to 5 pm)
Agrasen Ki Baoli, New Delhi
This is one of the most haunted places in India and often makes it to the spookiest places in the world. Agrasen Ki Baoli is a historical monument originally built by King Agrasen near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. Various Bollywood films have been shot at this Baoli and you’ll remember it from PK, Sultan, or Mom. This 60-meter long and 15-meter wide historical stepwell provides for great photo opportunities during the day but is equally horrifying after dusk.
According to folklore, this ancient well had black water back in the day which invited people to commit suicide. The water apparently had hypnotizing powers and could enrapture you out of your senses. Fast forward to today and the well lies dry, it’s home to pigeons and bats (if not ghosts). But the paranormal angle cannot be set aside because locals and guards have felt like being watched or followed by unseen entities.
Go during the day and you’ll find couples lounging on the 108 steps of this well, go during the night and you might hear someone calling out your name, whatever floats your boat (the black water perhaps)!
How To Reach: Get off at Rajiv Chowk Metro Station or at Barakhamba Road Metro Station and book a cab to Agrasen Ki Baoli.
Timings: 9 am to 5:30 pm
Shaniwarwada, Pune
This historical 13 story palace built by Bajirao-I in 1732 gained prime importance in the 18th century when the Maratha Empire was on the rise. The fort is a symbol of Maharashtra’s rich cultural heritage and an architectural marvel from the Peshwa dynasty. Tourists flock to this monument to see the intricate carvings on the pillars, the high arches, bastions, and the well-manicured gardens.
Coming to the scary side of this place, legend says that the fifth Peshwa, Narayanrao, was murdered here by the guards. Historical accounts narrate that Narayanrao’s uncle Raghunathrao and his wife Anandibai wanted the young Peshwa off the seat of power. The arrest warrant that Raghunathrao issued against his nephew was actually an execution order (altered by Anandibai as she longed to be the queen).
When night fell, the guards assassinated 18-year-old Narayanrao and his uncle could do little to save him. Locals say that they’ve heard cries of a man shouting ‘Kaka mala vachva’ (Marathi for Save me, Uncle!’) on full moon nights. Spooky, right?
The haunted legend shouldn’t stop you from exploring this beautiful place in Pune. Visit it especially for the light and sound show that happened around a fountain in the center of this Wada.
How To Reach: Catch an auto or taxi from Pune Airport to Shaniwarwada. The cheapest way to reach Shaniwarwada from the airport is by boarding a Line 158 bus.
Timings: 9:30 am to 5 pm
National Library, Kolkata
We’re almost convinced there are bibliophile ghosts as they visit this library a lot! The National Library of India is the largest library in India by volume and public record and is located in Alipore, Kolkata. There are 2.2 million books in this library which makes it often visited by students, researchers, and scholars.
The secrets this library holds are as old as its 250-year-old structure. In 2010, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) discovered a hidden ground-floor room with no opening of any sort. If this hasn’t already spooked you out, what follows sure will.
The library was the residence of Lord Charles Metcalfe, a Governor-General during the British era. It’s said that his wife, Lady Metcalfe still roams between the shelves of this huge library. Students referring to books till late evening have complained of noises and of an apparition. Librarians have seen chairs being pulled away, books being dropped, and sounds of ruffling of pages. It gets scarier when you know that twelve workers died during the renovation of this library, a paranormal incident or a mere accident?
If you’re out to explore the haunted places in Kolkata, check out the Writer’s Building, Park Street Cemetery, and Hastings College after you’ve seen the National Library.
How To Reach: Book a yellow cab from Netaji Bhavan Metro Station or Ekbalpur Bus Station to reach the National Library. You can also hire a private cab from Howrah Junction Railway Station to the library.
Timings: 9:30 am to 8 pm
Lambi Dehar Mines, Mussoorie
Now we bring to you one of the most popular scary places in India, Lambi Dehar Mines, which is widely covered by the media and investigated by paranormal experts. Can you believe that such a haunted place lies in the breathtaking Mussoorie? The location of the mines is on a cliff overlooking the scenic mountains, this makes the mines a well-known tourist attraction in Mussoorie. But if you start hearing muffled noises or screams, that’s probably not your tour guide calling you back.
Back in the 1990s, the place was a limestone mine that operated in full swing but overlooked safety precautions. The workers started suffering from lung infections which made them cough blood. It’s believed that around 50,000 laborers died in pain at the mines. Shopkeepers of stalls around this mine have claimed to hear agonizing screams of the laborers at night. There have been reports of people ending up missing and of freak accidents at the site. You’ll also hear stories of a witch that roams the place. Creepy!
How To Reach: Book a cab from Library Chowk Mussoorie to Lambi Dehar Mines. If you like, you can go trekking to reach the mines.
Timings: Open 24 hours (best avoided after dark)
Kalpalli Cemetery, Bangalore
How can we talk about haunted places and not mention a cemetery? The Kalpalli Cemetery, also known as St. John’s Cemetery, is located near the Old Madras Road in Bangalore. The cemetery is so spooky that locals avoid it even during broad daylight. It’s said that the headless figure of a man lurks between the graves. Moving slowly in white, this gentle figure looks almost harmless, but call him out and he’ll disappear. The mystery behind this stranger is enough to give you goosebumps. No one knows where this wanderer ghost comes from and vanishes into. Maybe from one of the graves?
Enthusiastic youngsters who tried exploring the graveyard after dark have complained of suffocation and the feeling of being watched. People avoid driving down the road adjacent to the cemetery and the guard stays clear off its gates in the wee hours. Want to check out more haunted places in Bangalore? Drive over to the Victoria Hospital, Call-Centre on M.G Road, or the Kempegowda International Airport.
How To Reach: Take an auto from SV Road Metro Station to Sarvagnanagar, from here walk over to the Kallahalli Cemetery Graveyard.
Timings: Open 24 hours (but you really shouldn’t lurk around after sunset)
Trichur Forest, Kerala
Trichur Forest with its dense trees, streams, and biodiversity is a trekker’s paradise in Kerala. If you’re a braveheart, we challenge you to go camping solo in the midst of this forest. You’ll never feel alone while camping here because the ghost of a 7-year-old boy will accompany you. The harmless spirit is seen by many campers and hitchhikers who’ve dared to explore the forest after sunset.
According to locals, it’s the ghost of a young boy who died in the woods. He can be seen roaming the forest at night but disappears in the morning. A camper once saw this young ghost sitting on a rock and staring at his campfire all night long, seems like the lad’s in need of company. The presence of a spirit in this forest doesn’t mean you should avoid this beautiful forest altogether since it’s a haven for nature lovers and one of the best offbeat places to see in Kerala! While here, don’t miss the Athirappilly Waterfalls nearby.
How To Reach: Take a cab from Thrissur Railway Station to the forest and hike from there. If you’re coming via air, Cochin International Airport is the closest.
Timings: Open 24 hours (end your trek before sunset).
Summing Up
As interesting and inviting as these places seem, they’re equally dangerous if you look at the instances of people disappearing in the haunted places. Let that not hold you back from exploring the haunted places in India, but proceed with caution and return before nightfall. After all, you don’t want to bump into an unfriendly ghost and run into awkward silences (introverts relate?) But seriously, the only ones roaming the grounds of haunted places after dark should be spirits, not you. Explore India’s haunted sites during the daytime, click lots of pictures, and don’t forget to tag the spooky residents on your social media!
FAQs
Which Are The Haunted Places To Visit In India?
The Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan, Mukesh Mills in Mumbai, Dumas Beach in Gujarat, Shaniwarwada in Pune, and Lambi Dehar Mines in Mussoorie are some popular haunted places in India.
How To Be Safe While Visiting Haunted Places?
Go exploring India’s haunted places with a group of friends or with a tour guide. Avoid visiting haunted places in afternoons and after dark. Keep an eye out for wild animals or other dangers.
Which Are The Best Bollywood Horror Movies To Watch?
Ragini MMS (2011), 13 B (2009), Raaz (2002), 1920 (2008), Horror Story (2013), Bhoot (2003), and Darna Mana Hai (2003) are some of the best Bollywood horror movies of all time. Tumbbad (2018), Bulbbul (2020), Roohi (2021), and Pari (2018) are some of the more recent Hindi horror movies to watch.
Which Are The Best Monuments To See In India?
Taj Mahal, Qutub Minar, Charminar, Gol Gumbaz, India Gate, Konark Sun Temple, and Ajanta Caves are the best monuments to visit in India.
What Is The Meaning Of Dark Tourism?
Dark tourism or grief tourism is when you visit places where tragic occurrences like genocides, murders, executions, natural disasters, or wars have taken place in history. Dark tourism is interesting as it mixes history with tragedy and gives us a glimpse of our dark past.
Which Are The Dark Tourism Sites In India?
Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar, Cellular Jail or Kala Pani in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Roopkund in Uttarakhand, and Kuldhara Village in Rajasthan are some of the Dark Tourism sites in India.
How far is Bhangarh From Jaipur?
Bhangarh is 53 km away from Jaipur. It is one of the most haunted places in India.
