Bhangarh Fort: The Story of The Most Haunted Place in India
Rajasthan Tourism is widely renowned for its sweeping desert stretch, majestic heritage, imposing forts, royal palaces, colorful festivities, and cultural heritage. But while the awe-inspiring beauty and magnificence of its opulent forts and palaces captivate you, there’s one place that offers a unique experience to travel enthusiasts. Step ahead to the allure of Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, or Pushkar, and we dare you to visit Bhangarh Fort, which is one of India’s most eerily haunted places.
Located in the Alwar district of the regal Indian state, Bhangarh Fort resides on the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve. The place is certainly not for the faint-hearted ones. Considered one of the most haunted locations in India and globally, the mere narratives linked with it can send shivers down your spine, let alone a visit. The majestic past of Bhangarh Fort takes back to the 17th century in Rajasthan. Despite its eerie reputation, it remains a top-visited attraction and is one of the most captivating places to visit in Rajasthan that you must not miss.
Following are the chilling tales and unnerving facts about the fort that are sure to keep you enthralled!
History of Bhangarh –
The most haunted place in India, Bhangarh, was once a thriving ancient town. Built by Madho Singh, one of Emperor Akbar’s nine gems, in the 17th century for his son, Man Singh I, Bhangarh Fort symbolized grandeur and might. This town was said to be home to over 10,000 people before it was mysteriously turned abandoned overnight! Quite eerie. Now the fort stands as ruins of a 400-year-old structure, and the expansive town around it owes its current condition to the tragic tale of Bhangarh, which sealed its unfortunate destiny.
Into the Shadow Story of Bhangarh Fort –
Whether you believe in curses and prophecies or not, there’s a scary tale behind the doom of Bhangarh Fort. As the legend goes, the fort was once the home to a puissant ascetic named Guru Balu Nath. Madho Singh hence made it a point to take his due permission before building the fort and was even granted on one conditions. The ascetic placed a condition that the shadow of the fort must never fall on his home, or else great tragedy will unfold. As a result, the shadow engulfs the home of the ascetic, and in return, his curse engulfs the whole of Bhangarh!
The Enduring Void Story of Fort –
Another tale is about a different and frightening story behind the doom of Bhangarh. As per the folklore, there was a princess of Bhangarh named Ratnavati, allegedly an extremely beautiful necromancer in the region who fell in love with her. To get her, he put a spell of black magic on the oil that the princess was supposed to use for massage. Before his dirty ploy could work, Princess Ratnavati got a whiff of his trickery and threw off the magic-laden oil onto a huge boulder nearby. It was when the doomsday clock of Bhangarh Fort and the whole town was set on a countdown. The black magic worked its way and caused the boulder to crush the tantric to his death. During his last breath, he cursed the entire town of Bhangarh, struck down by grief and misery, to slowly succumb to its utter desolation just like him.
Warning Signs all around –
While there may not be “Haunted” glaringly displayed in neon lights on the site’s information boards, the persistent reminders by the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) to vacate the premises before sundown suggest something uncanny. The signs explicitly reiterate the prohibition of staying within the fort surrounding before sunrise and after sunset. Due to several incidents, including individuals getting lost and even fatal occurrences in the area.
Entry into Bhangarh Fort –
Bhangarh ka Kila could be the only tourist place in India where the entry of foreign tourists is not freely permissible. They need to obtain a special permit to enter the premises and fort. It is not only the Bhangarh Fort story but also the fact that among the tourists getting lost in the region, there are many foreigners, which angered the government officials owing to their disregard for rulers.
Numerous Temples –
What might bring some comfort is the presence of roughly half a dozen temples within the Bhangarh Fort area, providing a respite from the site’s overwhelmingly eerie atmosphere. These compact, ancient sanctuaries are dedicated to various Hindu deities, including Lord Hanuman, Keshav Rai, Lord Gopinath, and Mangla Devi. The spiritually rich ambience of these temples and the area’s infamous curse have drawn countless sages and priests to Bhangarh to lift its hex but to no significant success.
Wrapping up –
In this modern time, our brain is taught to disregard anything and everything inexplicable by the new age of science. But is there no possibility for the unseen or the unheard? Does it mean everything, every accident, every mishap, and all things disastrous inside Bhangarh Fort that perfectly fell into place as if puzzle pieces were coincidences?