Top 6 Haunted Places of India That Will Send Chills Down Your Spine
Ayush Singh | May 06, 2025, 19:10 IST
The article explores six of the most spine-chilling haunted places in India, where folklore, history, and paranormal phenomena collide. From the cursed ruins of Bhangarh Fort and Kuldhara Village in Rajasthan to the eerie woods of Dow Hill in West Bengal, each location carries a legacy of fear rooted in legend and unexplained occurrences. The piece also delves into ghostly cries from Shaniwar Wada in Pune, the mysterious death that still haunts The Savoy Hotel in Mussoorie, and the bizarre annual bird suicides in Jatinga, Assam. With rich storytelling and atmospheric detail, the article invites readers to confront these dark tales and decide for themselves—myth or reality?
Where legends whisper through crumbling walls and silence screams louder than words…
India is a land of mystique, where history and mythology often walk hand in hand. Beyond the postcard-perfect forts and palaces lie places that tourists whisper about—but few dare to truly explore. These are the sites where folklore meets fear, where the past hasn’t entirely left, and the present dares not linger too long.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted spots across India come with stories too eerie to ignore. So, buckle up as we take you through the Top 6 Haunted Places of India—where shadows stretch longer, and every creak could be more than just the wind.
Location: Alwar District, Rajasthan
Claim to Fear: No entry after sunset—by ASI orders.
Let’s start with the heavyweight of haunted locations—Bhangarh Fort. Tucked between Jaipur and Delhi, this 17th-century fort is infamous for its chilling silence after sundown. According to legend, a tantric (black magician) fell in love with Princess Ratnavati and tried to bewitch her. She outsmarted him, and his death curse supposedly doomed the entire town.
Today, Bhangarh is abandoned. Locals refuse to go near the place after dark, and even daytime visitors report an unsettling atmosphere—cold spots, the sensation of being watched, and sudden dizziness. The Archaeological Survey of India has even placed warning signs banning entry after sunset. Coincidence? You decide.
Location: Near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Claim to Fear: A village abandoned overnight—and cursed to remain uninhabited.
Another eerie location from Rajasthan, Kuldhara is a ghost village that has baffled historians and ghost hunters alike. In the 1800s, the entire village of Paliwal Brahmins vanished overnight. The reason? A powerful minister wanted to marry a village girl against her will. To protect their honor, the villagers left—and cursed the land so no one could ever settle there again.
Even today, attempts to repopulate the village have failed. Visitors claim to hear phantom whispers, feel hot breath on their necks, or sense unseen presences in the crumbling houses. Paranormal investigators have reported strange readings here, but no one has cracked the mystery yet.
Location: Pune, Maharashtra
Claim to Fear: A murdered prince’s cries still pierce the night air.
Built in 1732, Shaniwar Wada was once a grand palace complex. But behind its majestic walls lies a grisly tale. A young prince, Narayanrao, was brutally assassinated by his own guards—allegedly on the orders of his uncle. Legend says his last words, "Kaka, mala vachva" (Uncle, save me), are still heard echoing through the fort’s corridors at midnight.
Visitors who’ve camped near the fort at night report hearing blood-curdling screams and footsteps that follow them through empty courtyards. While the place is a daytime tourist spot, locals steer clear after dusk—and for good reason.
Location: Kurseong, West Bengal
Claim to Fear: A haunted school and a forest where shadows move on their own.
Don’t be fooled by the misty charm of Dow Hill. Beneath the beauty lies something far more sinister. Locals have long claimed that Victoria Boys’ High School is haunted—strange footsteps echo through its halls even during holidays, when the school is empty.
But it gets darker. A nearby forest, known as “Death Road,” has been the site of several suicides. The most chilling tale? That of a headless boy, who is often seen walking into the woods before vanishing. Woodsmen and locals alike avoid the area, especially when fog settles in. It’s not just a ghost story—it’s a collective fear passed down through generations.
Location: Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
Claim to Fear: A death that inspired fiction—and perhaps still lingers.
Built in the 1900s, The Savoy Hotel is where luxury meets lingering spirits. In 1911, Lady Garnet Orme was found dead in her locked room. The mystery, filled with poisoned bottles and no clear killer, made headlines—and inspired Agatha Christie’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
Guests have reported doors opening by themselves, whispers in the hallways, and a faint perfume scent wafting through empty rooms. Hotel staff, although tight-lipped, have passed down tales of a woman in white gliding silently through the halls. The Savoy’s beauty hides something chilling beneath its Victorian charm.
Location: Dima Hasao district, Assam
Claim to Fear: Every year, birds plunge to their deaths for no reason.
This one is not your typical “haunted mansion” tale—but it’s perhaps even more disturbing. Jatinga is a sleepy little village that experiences a bizarre phenomenon: during certain foggy nights between September and November, birds—local and migratory—fly down and crash to their deaths, drawn inexplicably to lights.
Scientists call it “disoriented behavior,” but locals believe it’s the work of dark spirits or cursed energy. The phenomenon has been reported since the 1900s and remains unsolved. Whether it’s paranormal or natural, Jatinga’s mystery adds a supernatural twist to India’s list of haunted places.
Whether you’re into ghost hunting or just love spine-chilling stories, India has no shortage of haunted sites that blend folklore, history, and horror. These places aren't just scary—they're reflections of a deeper cultural belief: that the past never truly dies. It lingers, watching, whispering, and sometimes… reaching out.
If you ever find yourself near one of these places, remember: respect the stories, and don’t take the silence lightly. Sometimes, what you can't see is what sees you.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!
India is a land of mystique, where history and mythology often walk hand in hand. Beyond the postcard-perfect forts and palaces lie places that tourists whisper about—but few dare to truly explore. These are the sites where folklore meets fear, where the past hasn’t entirely left, and the present dares not linger too long.
Whether you’re a skeptic or a believer, these haunted spots across India come with stories too eerie to ignore. So, buckle up as we take you through the Top 6 Haunted Places of India—where shadows stretch longer, and every creak could be more than just the wind.
1. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan — The Most Haunted Place in India
bhangarh.
Claim to Fear: No entry after sunset—by ASI orders.
Let’s start with the heavyweight of haunted locations—Bhangarh Fort. Tucked between Jaipur and Delhi, this 17th-century fort is infamous for its chilling silence after sundown. According to legend, a tantric (black magician) fell in love with Princess Ratnavati and tried to bewitch her. She outsmarted him, and his death curse supposedly doomed the entire town.
Today, Bhangarh is abandoned. Locals refuse to go near the place after dark, and even daytime visitors report an unsettling atmosphere—cold spots, the sensation of being watched, and sudden dizziness. The Archaeological Survey of India has even placed warning signs banning entry after sunset. Coincidence? You decide.
2. Kuldhara Village, Rajasthan — The Cursed Land of Lost Souls
kuldhara village.
Claim to Fear: A village abandoned overnight—and cursed to remain uninhabited.
Another eerie location from Rajasthan, Kuldhara is a ghost village that has baffled historians and ghost hunters alike. In the 1800s, the entire village of Paliwal Brahmins vanished overnight. The reason? A powerful minister wanted to marry a village girl against her will. To protect their honor, the villagers left—and cursed the land so no one could ever settle there again.
Even today, attempts to repopulate the village have failed. Visitors claim to hear phantom whispers, feel hot breath on their necks, or sense unseen presences in the crumbling houses. Paranormal investigators have reported strange readings here, but no one has cracked the mystery yet.
3. Shaniwar Wada, Pune — Screams That Echo at Midnight
Shaniwar Wada, Pune.
Claim to Fear: A murdered prince’s cries still pierce the night air.
Built in 1732, Shaniwar Wada was once a grand palace complex. But behind its majestic walls lies a grisly tale. A young prince, Narayanrao, was brutally assassinated by his own guards—allegedly on the orders of his uncle. Legend says his last words, "Kaka, mala vachva" (Uncle, save me), are still heard echoing through the fort’s corridors at midnight.
Visitors who’ve camped near the fort at night report hearing blood-curdling screams and footsteps that follow them through empty courtyards. While the place is a daytime tourist spot, locals steer clear after dusk—and for good reason.
4. Dow Hill, Kurseong — Death, Woods, and a Headless Boy
Dow Hill, Kurseong.
Claim to Fear: A haunted school and a forest where shadows move on their own.
Don’t be fooled by the misty charm of Dow Hill. Beneath the beauty lies something far more sinister. Locals have long claimed that Victoria Boys’ High School is haunted—strange footsteps echo through its halls even during holidays, when the school is empty.
But it gets darker. A nearby forest, known as “Death Road,” has been the site of several suicides. The most chilling tale? That of a headless boy, who is often seen walking into the woods before vanishing. Woodsmen and locals alike avoid the area, especially when fog settles in. It’s not just a ghost story—it’s a collective fear passed down through generations.
5. The Savoy Hotel, Mussoorie — Agatha Christie’s Ghostly Muse
The Savoy Hotel,.
Claim to Fear: A death that inspired fiction—and perhaps still lingers.
Built in the 1900s, The Savoy Hotel is where luxury meets lingering spirits. In 1911, Lady Garnet Orme was found dead in her locked room. The mystery, filled with poisoned bottles and no clear killer, made headlines—and inspired Agatha Christie’s first novel, The Mysterious Affair at Styles.
Guests have reported doors opening by themselves, whispers in the hallways, and a faint perfume scent wafting through empty rooms. Hotel staff, although tight-lipped, have passed down tales of a woman in white gliding silently through the halls. The Savoy’s beauty hides something chilling beneath its Victorian charm.
6. Jatinga, Assam — The Village of Suicidal Birds
Jatinga, Assam.
Claim to Fear: Every year, birds plunge to their deaths for no reason.
This one is not your typical “haunted mansion” tale—but it’s perhaps even more disturbing. Jatinga is a sleepy little village that experiences a bizarre phenomenon: during certain foggy nights between September and November, birds—local and migratory—fly down and crash to their deaths, drawn inexplicably to lights.
Scientists call it “disoriented behavior,” but locals believe it’s the work of dark spirits or cursed energy. The phenomenon has been reported since the 1900s and remains unsolved. Whether it’s paranormal or natural, Jatinga’s mystery adds a supernatural twist to India’s list of haunted places.
Are You Brave Enough to Visit?
If you ever find yourself near one of these places, remember: respect the stories, and don’t take the silence lightly. Sometimes, what you can't see is what sees you.
Explore the latest trends and tips in Health & Fitness, Travel, Life Hacks, Fashion & Beauty, and Relationships at Times Life!