Ghost Town in India-Bhangarh

a popular tourist spot for Ghost Lovers

Located between Jaipur and Alwar in Rajasthan, Bhangarh is India's very own ghost town. Known as one of the most haunted places in the country, it is famous for its historical ruins. It is definitely worth a visit for its temples, havelis and a palace. However, be sure to finish all your sightseeing during the day as the spooky place is strictly out of bounds at night.

A signboard displayed by ASI, a Government of India organization clearly states Entering the borders of Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited. Legal action would be taken against anybody who does not follow these instructions. All this talk about the supernatural has resulted in making it one of the popular tourist destinations today.

Such is the town's reputation that even the Archeological Survey of India doesn't have an office here though government rules state that every historical site must have an office of the ASI. The nearest one is a kilometre away — enough distance between officials and the spooks

According to one legend, the beauty and charisma of the Princess of Bhangarh Ratnavati, was incomparable to anyone in all of Rajasthan. As soon as she turned eighteen, she started getting matrimonial offers from other regions. In the same region lived a tantrik, a magician well versed in the occult, named Singhia. He was madly in love with the princess knowing that nothing could ever come of it. One day when he saw the princess' maid in the market buying scented oil for her, he thought that this was his chance. He used his black magic on the oil which would hypnotize the princess by her merely touching the oil and would surrender herself and run to him.

His plan did not work out as the princess had seen the tantric enchanting the oil and thus poured it on the ground. It touched a stone, which started rolling towards the tantrik and crushed him. Dying, Singhia cursed the palace with the death of all who dwelt in it, without any rebirth in their destinies. The next year there was a battle between Bhangarh and Ajabgarh in which Princess Ratnavati lost her life.

Even the Mahabharatha is said to talk of the Pandavas staying here while in exile. Yogiraj Hiranath, a sage during the reign of Maharaja Jai Singh of Jaipur, corroborates the fact that Bhangarh did have a princess called Rani Ratnawati who was adept in the art of wizardry.

The grounds of Bhangarh are enclosed by a partially ruined wall. The beautifully carved temples Gopinath, Shiva, Mangla Devi and Keshava Rai are definitely worth a visit. There's also the dancer's haveli. The most mysterious building of all is the chhatri that stands atop the hill, which is believed to have been inhabited by the tantrik.

a walk to the palace through the remains of what once used to be a bustling town is a fragrant affair with the aroma of kevda wafting in from a nearby grove. Bhangarh was also a well-laid out town and could serve as an excellent model for present-day town planners.

Each shop along the route still has a vacant space for an idol. But what is strange is that there are no roofs on the houses, shops and even the palace. Locals say that whenever a house is built in the vicinity, its roof collapses! And in the village closest to Bhangarh, people have made roofs over their heads — but only those made of straw!

The town continues to draw visitors many of whom claim to have heard sounds of music and tinkling of anklets. Some even swear they have heard spine-chilling screams. Whether its fact or myth, you decide.

GETTING THERE

BY ROAD : Bhangarh is a 47-km drive from the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan. From Delhi, visitors need to first get to Alwar, which is about 150 km away, and then drive 34 km to Sariska. There are no luxury buses on the route, so the best option is a taxi

BY RAIL : Shatabdi runs from Delhi to Alwar every morning. From there, visitors can take a taxi upto Sariska

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