Most Haunted Place in India - Bhangarh Fort

India is a mystical country indeed, with its numerous forts, forests and historical sites wrapped in its own unique enigma. One such site is Bhangarh Fort. The Bhangarh Fort is considered to be one of the most haunted places in India and is said to be cursed. 

We visited the fort in the month of July. We travelled to the fort in our car from Jaipur. Nestled amid the green hills of Aravallis, stands the magnificent fort of Bhangarh. The fort of Bhangarh is located 50 kilometers from the Sariska Sanctuary between the city of Jaipur and Alwar. The fort was constructed in the 17th century by Raja Madho Singh, the younger brother of the great Mughal general, Man Singh of Amber. Besides the royal palace, Bhangarh had over 9,000 houses until 1720 after which it gradually diminished in population. The Bhangarh fort along with the whole township was protected by three successive fortifications and five massive gates. The fort houses remnants of grand havelis, temples and deserted marketplaces within its premises, indicating the fort’s prosperity in its heydays. Thought to be a haunted place, Bhangarh fort nevertheless attracts hordes of tourists owing to its serene atmosphere, picturesque Aravalli Mountains and the architectural marvel that it is.

Inside the Bhangarh fort premises, one can find ruins of temples, palaces and havelis. The fort has four entry points in addition to the main gate – the Lahori Gate, the Ajmeri Gate, the Phulbari Gate and the Delhi Gate. The fort, although in ruins, still looks majestic, and exudes a sense of calmness to augment the green surroundings. At the fort’s main entrance there are a number of Hindu temples. The prominent temples are Gopinath Temple, Someshwar Temple, Keshav Rai Temple, Mangla Devi Temple and Ganesh Temple. These temples are a sublime example of architecture and workmanship of the 17th century. All the temples are in Nagara style of architecture. There is also the Gopinath Temple which is built above a 14ft raised plinth, with exquisite carvings done on the stones. The temple complex also houses the residence of the head priest, called the Purohitji Ki Haveli. Inside the fort precincts, there are a number of grand havelis in ruins; prominent among them is the Nartakiyon Ki Haveli, which was the house of the dancing girls. There is also the market place, with ruins of the royal palace standing at the extreme end of the fort’s limit. The royal palace said to have seven storey, however now only four of it remains.