A haunted tale often fascinate most of us. The element of something spooky that we may or may not see but can feel its presence is a thought that is both thrilling as well as scary. But things take a different turn when the story gets too real. Haunted tales are fun to hear and great to watch but what if the story is true and something is lurking around and making its presence felt to us in mysterious ways?
Haunted places
These six haunted places are for those who love some thrill in their live –
1. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
This abandoned town in Rajasthan, home to a majestic fort, is reported to be one of the most haunted places in India. Bhangarh and its ruins are closed to visitors from sunset to sunrise, reportedly the time with the highest paranormal activity on the premises. According to one of the tales about Bhangarh, a tantrik priest fell in love with the princess Ratnavati, who was described as ‘the jewel of Rajasthan’. The priest planned to cast a spell on her so she would fall for him as well. However, when the princess came to know of this plan, the priest was killed. Before dying, he cursed the town. Now, it lays in ruin and is inhabitable for anyone. It is believed that the roofs of the temples and houses fall down the moment they are built. Those who have dared to stay in the fort overnight have reported hearing footsteps and the screeching of a woman.
2. Mukesh Mills, Mumbai
Built in 1870, this mill is a notoriously spooky location. Shut down after a massive fire in the 1980s, the mill was left in a dilapidated, eerie state. Now a major shooting location for Bollywood films, several stars and crew members have claimed to be witness to paranormal activity in certain areas of the mill. Some have sworn never return to the place and the few who do wrap up their work well before sunset.
3. Savoy Hotel, Mussoorie
The story of this haunted hotel began in 1911. A spiritualist named Miss Frances Garnett-Orme was poisoned in the Savoy, and the mystery remains unsolved to this day. Guests have claimed to have seen Miss Garnett-Orme’s ghost roaming around the hotel and heard the echoes of her footsteps. So infamous is this tale that Agatha Christie referenced it in her book The Mysterious Affair at Styles, as did Ruskin Bond in A Mussoorie Murder.
4. Raj Kiran Hotel, Lonavala
Located in Lonavala, one of the most popular weekend getaways for Pune residents, Raj Kiran Hotel may be small, but it is full of intrigue. There are particular rooms and areas where guests have witnessed various paranormal incidents. Holiday-goers have faced their worst fears when their bed sheets were forcefully pulled off at night or they woke up to an unexplained blue ray near the bed.
5. Dow Hill, West Bengal
According to locals, terrifying ghosts reside in the small hill station of Dow Hill, the surrounding forest, and the nearby Victoria Boys School. A number of accidents and murders have taken place here in the forest, and the ghosts of various children have been sighted. The most common is one of a headless boy, who roams around in the forest and follows people. Constant shrieks, laughter and footsteps can be heard in the school, even during vacations and weekends when nobody is around.
6. Dumas Beach, Surat, Gujarat
This black-sand beach in Gujarat was once an important Hindu cremation ground, and it is this history that gives it an eerie edge. The cheery morning atmosphere fades with the setting sun, and by night local people avoid Dumas Beach as much as possible. From spooky shrieks to whispers, people have reportedly heard haunting sounds coming from Dumas, said to be the spirits of tormented souls. Some attribute the black sand to the ashes of burned corpses and, on top of all that, nearby dogs are said to bark throughout the night, sensing a paranormal presence. Everything about the Dumas beach makes it the last place you would want to be at night.
While some feel an adrenaline rush exploring haunted places, others prefer to stay away. India, the land of thousands of untold stories, has its own share of eerie destinations. Tell us in the comment section if you visited any of these chilling places yet.