Dark forts echoing with cries of lost souls, abandoned villages cursed for eternity, and forests where whispers chase you in the silence of the night—India is not just a land of kings and temples; it’s also home to some of the scariest haunted places you can imagine.
If you think ghosts are just stories, wait till you read about these 10 haunted places in India that feel straight out of a horror movie.
1. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan – Where the Curse Still Lives
When the sun sets behind the Aravalli Hills, Bhangarh changes. The air turns heavy, the silence feels strange, and locals warn you not to stay.
Long ago, a sorcerer fell in love with the princess of Bhangarh. She rejected him, and in anger, he cursed the entire fort. The very next day, destruction struck, and the whole town was abandoned forever.
Even today, people say they hear chilling screams, footsteps in empty halls, and see dark shadows moving around at night. No one dares to spend the night here—because those who tried… were never the same again.
Why it’s haunted: According to legend, a wizard who fell in love with the local princess cursed the fort and nearby village when she rejected him. Soon after, the fort was abandoned.
What people say: Strange noises, shadows moving, and a heavy atmosphere at night.
Interesting fact: The Archaeological Survey of India strictly prohibits entry after sunset and before sunrise.
Travel Tip: Visit during the day to explore its majestic ruins but leave before dusk.
🚗 How to Reach Bhangarh Fort
Getting to Bhangarh is simple, don’t worry.
- Nearest Big City: Jaipur (about 80 km away).
- By Car/Taxi: The easiest way is to hire a taxi or take your own car from Jaipur. Just put “Bhangarh Fort” in Google Maps and follow the road—it takes around 2 hours.
- By Bus/Train: First reach Jaipur (by train, bus, or flight). From Jaipur, take a taxi directly to the fort.
- Nearest Railway Station: Dausa (22 km away), but Jaipur station is bigger and easier.
- Nearest Airport: Jaipur International Airport.
⚠️ Important:
- Fort timings are 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM only.
- Entry is strictly not allowed after sunset—and trust me, you won’t want to be there when it gets dark.
2. Shaniwarwada Fort, Pune – The Cry of the Prince
The walls of Shaniwarwada hold royal secrets, but at night they tell a different tale. On full moon nights, the cries of a young prince, brutally murdered by his own kin, echo through the ruins. Locals swear they have heard his trembling voice calling out: “Kaka, mala vachva!” (“Uncle, save me!”). A fort of beauty by day, but a nightmare after dusk.
Why it’s haunted: Built in 1732, this fort witnessed political power struggles. A young prince was brutally murdered here, and his spirit is believed to haunt the fort.
What people say: On full moon nights, locals claim they hear the cries of a boy calling for help.
Interesting fact: Despite the eerie stories, the fort is also a popular heritage site showcasing Maratha architecture.
🚗 How to Reach Shaniwarwada Fort (Pune)
Reaching Shaniwarwada is very easy.
- Nearest Big City: Pune (fort is in the city center).
- By Car/Taxi: Just hire an auto or cab within Pune city.
- By Train: Get down at Pune Railway Station, only 3 km away. Take an auto/taxi in 10 minutes.
- By Flight: Land at Pune Airport (11 km away, 30 minutes drive).
⚠️ Important:
- Entry allowed during the day.
- The fort looks beautiful at sunset, but locals say full moon nights are the scariest.
3. Kuldhara Village, Rajasthan – The Ghost Town
Imagine an entire village disappearing overnight. Three hundred years ago, Kuldhara’s residents left their homes, leaving food on the plates, doors ajar, and silence behind. They cursed the land, saying no one would ever live here again. And true to their words, every attempt to resettle the village has failed. Walk through its empty lanes at night, and you’ll feel hundreds of unseen eyes watching you.
Why it’s haunted: Once a prosperous village of Paliwal Brahmins, it was abandoned overnight 300 years ago. Legend says they left due to the oppressive ruler who wanted to marry a village girl. Before leaving, they cursed the land so no one could ever live there again.
What people say: Visitors often describe unsettling silence, mysterious shadows, and an uneasy feeling.
Interesting fact: Even today, despite government efforts, no one has permanently settled here.
🚗 How to Reach Kuldhara Village (Jaisalmer)
Don’t worry, it’s easy to find this ghost town.
- Nearest Big City: Jaisalmer (18 km away).
- By Car/Taxi: Hire a cab or take an auto from Jaisalmer city. Straight road, around 30 minutes.
- By Train: Get down at Jaisalmer Railway Station and take a taxi.
- By Flight: Nearest airport is Jodhpur Airport (300 km) → from there, take train/bus to Jaisalmer.
⚠️ Important:
- Timings: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
- No one stays here at night—the curse still lingers.
4. Agrasen ki Baoli, Delhi – The Well of Death
Hidden in the heart of Delhi is a stepwell with 108 steps that descend into darkness. Legends say its waters were once black, pulling people towards suicide as if the well demanded souls. Even now, visitors claim that as you go deeper, the silence presses on your chest, and whispers rise with the wind, as though the walls are alive.
- Why it’s haunted: This centuries-old stepwell has 108 steps leading down. Folklore suggests that the well once contained black water that lured people to their deaths.
- What people say: A feeling of being followed, sudden changes in mood, and strange echoes.
- Interesting fact: Today it’s a protected monument and even appeared in Bollywood movies like PK.
🚗 How to Reach Agrasen ki Baoli (Delhi)
This one is in the heart of Delhi.
- Nearest Big City: New Delhi itself.
- By Metro: Get down at Barakhamba Road (Blue Line) or Rajiv Chowk (Connaught Place). Both are 10–15 minutes walk.
- By Train: Nearest is New Delhi Railway Station (2 km).
- By Flight: From Delhi IGI Airport (15 km), take a cab/metro.
⚠️ Important:
- Open during daylight hours.
- After evening, the stepwell feels darker than night itself.
5. Dow Hill, Kurseong, West Bengal – The Headless Walker
Mist floats through the forests of Dow Hill, and with it come terrifying tales. Locals have seen a headless boy wandering the “Death Road,” vanishing into the trees. The nearby school is said to echo with footsteps long after the classrooms are empty. At night, the forest is so silent that even your own heartbeat feels too loud.
Why it’s haunted: The Victoria Boys’ High School here is said to be haunted by spirits. The surrounding “Death Road” is infamous for sightings of a headless boy wandering through the woods.
What people say: Locals talk about footsteps echoing inside empty school corridors.
Interesting fact: Despite the ghostly tales, Dow Hill remains a beautiful hill station with misty forests.
🚗 How to Reach Dow Hill (Kurseong, West Bengal)
Reaching here takes a little journey, but it’s simple.
- Nearest Big City: Siliguri (50 km) or Darjeeling (30 km).
- By Car/Taxi: From Siliguri or Darjeeling, hire a taxi to Kurseong, then go to Dow Hill.
- By Train: Nearest big station is New Jalpaiguri (NJP). From NJP, taxi to Kurseong (1.5 hrs).
- By Flight: Nearest airport is Bagdogra (45 km).
⚠️ Important:
- Mist is heavy here—roads can be scary.
- Nights in the forest are not for the faint-hearted.
6. Jamali Kamali Mosque, Delhi – Whispers of the Djinns
The tomb of Jamali and Kamali looks peaceful in the day, but as night falls, the djinns awaken. Visitors have reported strange whispers following them, invisible hands touching their shoulders, and shadows that vanish when chased. Some even say the djinns make bargains—be careful what you wish for here, because they just might grant it.
Why it’s haunted: This 16th-century mosque and tomb are believed to be haunted by djinns (spirits).
What people say: Visitors report hearing whispers, seeing strange apparitions, and sensing invisible presences around them.
Interesting fact: The tomb houses two Sufi saints, Jamali and Kamali, adding a mystical layer to its haunting.
🚗 How to Reach Jamali Kamali Mosque (Delhi)
Very easy to reach inside Mehrauli Archaeological Park.
- Nearest Big City: Delhi.
- By Metro: Get down at Qutub Minar Metro Station (Yellow Line), then 5–10 minutes by auto.
- By Train: From New Delhi Station (17 km), taxi/auto is best.
- By Flight: From Delhi IGI Airport (13 km), cab takes 30–40 minutes.
⚠️ Important:
- Best to visit in the day.
- After sunset, whispers of djinns take over the silence.
7. GP Block, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh – The Red Woman
An old, abandoned house where the bravest hesitate to enter. At night, people claim to see men sitting inside, drinking as though frozen in time. More terrifying is the vision of a woman in red, staring from the rooftop with eyes that follow you even when you turn away. Some say she’s waiting. For what? Nobody knows.
- Why it’s haunted: This abandoned building has become infamous for paranormal activity.
- What people say: Sightings include groups of men drinking and a woman dressed in red standing at the rooftop.
- Interesting fact: Many thrill-seekers visit just to catch a glimpse of these apparitions, but the site remains deserted and eerie.
🚗 How to Reach GP Block (Meerut, UP)
This haunted house is within Meerut city.
- Nearest Big City: Meerut.
- By Car/Taxi: From Delhi (80 km), 2 hours by road.
- By Train: From Meerut Railway Station, only 6 km—15 minutes by auto/taxi.
- By Flight: Nearest airport is Delhi IGI (90 km), then drive to Meerut.
⚠️ Important:
- No official timings—it’s abandoned.
- Locals warn not to stay here after dark.
8. Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad – Lights, Camera… Ghosts!
It’s India’s largest film city, but behind the glitz hides a battlefield where thousands once died. Crew members whisper of lights crashing down, mirrors smeared with scratches, and unseen forces pushing them to the ground. Actors have run off sets, refusing to return at night. Maybe the spirits are just curious… or maybe they want to be part of the movie.
Why it’s haunted: Built on a battlefield where many soldiers died, this world-famous film city is believed to be haunted by their spirits.
What people say: Lights falling on their own, mirrors scratched mysteriously, and crew members being pushed or locked inside rooms.
Interesting fact: Despite the stories, Ramoji Film City attracts millions of visitors every year as one of India’s largest film tourism destinations.
🚗 How to Reach Ramoji Film City (Hyderabad)
Super easy—it’s a famous tourist spot.
- Nearest Big City: Hyderabad (30 km).
- By Car/Taxi: Take a cab from Hyderabad city—it takes 1 hour.
- By Train: From Secunderabad Railway Station, 1.5 hours drive.
- By Flight: From Hyderabad Airport (40 km), 1 hour by cab.
- By Bus: Direct buses run from Hyderabad city to Ramoji.
⚠️ Important:
- Open for tourists all day.
- But crew members say nights belong to the ghosts.
9. Sanjay Van, Delhi – Forest of the Restless
This forest is alive with secrets. Among its ruins and cremation grounds, people have seen women in white vanish into the darkness. Some hear laughter, others hear sobs. The deeper you go, the heavier the air becomes—as if something is walking right beside you, breathing on your neck, waiting for you to look back.
- Why it’s haunted: Spread across 780 acres, this forest is dotted with ancient ruins and cremation grounds.
- What people say: People have reported seeing ghostly figures of women in white, hearing cries, and sudden drops in temperature.
- Interesting fact: Despite being haunted, it’s also a popular spot for morning walks and birdwatching in the daytime.
🚗 How to Reach Sanjay Van (Delhi)
Right in South Delhi, near Qutub Minar.
- Nearest Big City: Delhi.
- By Metro: Get down at Qutub Minar Metro Station or Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, then take an auto.
- By Train: From New Delhi Station (16 km), cab takes 40 minutes.
- By Flight: From Delhi IGI Airport (10 km), taxi takes 20–25 minutes.
⚠️ Important:
- Forest is open to all, no strict timings.
- Daytime is peaceful. Nighttime is not.
10. Dumas Beach, Gujarat – Whispers in the Wind
The black sands of Dumas have drunk the ashes of countless cremations. By day, it looks like a peaceful beach. By night, it whispers. Travelers hear voices calling their name when no one is around. Dogs bark at the empty darkness, refusing to go further. And those who dared to walk too far into the night… were never seen again.
- Why it’s haunted: This beach near Surat was once used as a Hindu cremation ground. Its black sand is believed to carry energies from the dead.
- What people say: Whispering voices, eerie laughter, and people going missing near the beach at night.
- Interesting fact: While the beach is famous for its beauty, locals strictly advise against night visits.
Also Read: 7 Hidden Waterfalls in Mauritius Near Port Louis
🚗 How to Reach Dumas Beach (Surat, Gujarat)
Easy road trip from Surat city.
- Nearest Big City: Surat (21 km).
- By Car/Taxi: From Surat Railway Station → 35 minutes by taxi/auto.
- By Flight: From Surat Airport (20 km), 30 minutes drive.
- By Bus: Regular buses run from Surat to Dumas.
⚠️ Important:
- Beach is open anytime, but locals strongly warn against staying late at night.
- The whispers in the wind… are not always from the sea.
Final Words
These haunted places aren’t just ruins or forests—they are stories that never died. Some call them legends, some believe they’re real, but everyone agrees on one thing: the chill you feel when you step inside them is unmistakable.
So, would you dare visit them? Or will you just read about them safely from your room?
