The Spookiest Ghost Towns in India - #3 Will Give You Goosebumps!

Intrigued by the stories of ghost hunters and paranormal activities? Here are India’s 6 spookiest towns to visit for a hair raising adventure.

1.  Bhangarh, Rajasthan

With a history seeded in black magic and reported sightings of paranormal activity, Bhangarh is the most famous of all the haunted places in India. As the story has it, a black magician was crushed to death here because he wanted to marry the princess. The magician cursed Bhangarh before his death and there have been rumours of it being haunted, ever since. So much so, that the Archaeological Survey of India has forbidden entry to this place after 6 p.m. However, it is open to tourists and visitors through the day.

Getting there:  Bhangarh can be reached by road from Jaipur (85km).

Book Your Flight to Jaipur (nearest airport)

Read more: Get Scared out of Your Wits at India’s Most Haunted: Bhangarh Fort

2.  Dhanushkodi

Dhanushkodi is a ghost town that has been uninhabited for decades, after being razed to the ground by a cyclone in 1964. It’s name, which literally translates into ‘end of the bow’ ties to the legend that Lord Ram used his bow to break the stone bridge that he had constructed to reach Lanka, after his return. If you’re one to find beauty in ruins, a trip to Dhanushkodi, which was once a bustling town, will be worth every penny. Another mystery of Dhanushkodi, is that the historic Hindu temple—the sole survivor of the cyclone—still stands tall, almost like a resurrection of faith and hope.

Getting here: Take government authorised jeeps or tempos to Dhanushkodi from Rameshwaram.

Book Your Flight to Madurai (nearest flight)

Read more: Rameshwaram - Where The Monkey Army Builds The Ram Setu

3.  Ross Island, Andaman

Once used by the British, Ross Island was abandoned in 1940s because of an earthquake. It has been devoid of inhabitants ever since, other than deer, peacocks and other wildlife, making the island quite beautiful, in fact. What’s haunting, on the other hand, are the ruins that have been engulfed by tree roots, and old rusted metal machinery that seem to narrate a spooky story of happier times. You can visit this island during the day and check out the abandoned British quarters, an old church, a few other buildings and the gorgeous blue sea that lines it. A word of caution—a visit to Ross Island will haunt you the rest of your life!

Getting there: Ross Island can only be reached through a short boat ride from Port Blair, Andamans.

Book Your Flight to Andamans

Read more: 10 Free Things to Do in Andaman and Nicobar Islands

4. Lakhpat Village, Gujarat

One of the lesser known ghost towns in India, Lakhpat, was a bustling town and the epicentre of the Sindh trade circuit. It was abandoned overnight owing to an earthquake in 1819 and is home to thousands of stories of life and death, all buried under the ruins. A drive to Lakhpat, although back breaking, is nothing short of discovery. Walk around the streets of Lakhpat to experience a town that questions its own existence, and narrates a tale of its past so gloomy that it will haunt you forever.

Getting there: Lakhpat can be reached by road from Bhuj (135 km).

Book Your Flight to Bhuj (nearest airport)

Read more: The Rann Utsav: Kutch's Most Unique Festival

5.  Kuldhara, Rajasthan

Kuldahara, an abandoned village close to Jaisalmer, might be in ruins today but is still a symbol of honour and community bonding. The entire village is said to have been secretly abandoned overnight by Paliwal Brahmins who collectively left their homes to honour and protect a girl of their community who was ordered to marry Salim Singh, a corrupt minister of the state in the 1800s who was known to be a wife collector. The unscrupulous minister had an eye on a girl from Kuldhara, and gave the village an ultimatum to hand her over, or he would levy huge taxes on the village. Following this threat, the residents of this village vanished overnight, but not before allegedly casting a spell on the village cursing anyone who tried to inhabit the area.

Getting here:  Jaisalmer is the closest town (18km) to Kuldhara.

Book Your Flight to Jaisalmer (nearest airport)

Read more: Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Sounds hair-raising, right? If you know of any more spooky places to travel to, we’d love to hear about them!