Bhangarh is perhaps one of the most haunted places in India. It is in Rajasthan and has been declared an unsafe place to visit at night even by the government. The Archaeological Survey of India or ASI body has even put up a sign outside Bhangarh Fort to warn tourists and locals alike to not enter its premises after sunset and before sunrise. Even though the government may not openly acknowledge the presence of any supernatural power here, the board says it all and is enough proof that there is something that should not be played with.
Bhangarh Fort in its heyday was one of the architectural marvels of the country. It was built in 1573 by Man Singh I for his grandson Madho Singh I. But it was named after his grandfather Bhan Singh, hence the name Bhangarh.
Dotted with temples, havelis and palaces, Bhangarh was a flourishing kingdom. But it soon saw its downfall and since then, it lies in ruins, abandoned with nothing but spirits roaming in the fort.
Tourists who come here cannot help but admire the architecture of whatever is left of it and imagine what it must have been like in earlier days. However, it is the spooky sign that draws their attention and forces them to go back before it gets dark. Why is the sign here and why does the place lie abandoned? There are two stories around this legend.
According to the first story, the reason for the destruction and desolation of Bhangarh Fort is due to the curse of an ascetic. It is believed that one Baba Balanath lived near the fort and he had one condition which was that no building should be higher than his house and cast a shadow on it. If this would happen, he proclaimed, there would be destruction. The local king ignored the ascetic’s rants and sure enough, the curse came true and led to the present state of Bhangarh Fort.
There is another legend about a wizard who lived in Bhangarh being infatuated with the princess and wanting to have her. He was adept in magic and created a potion that would cast a spell and attract her towards him. One day, he swapped her perfume for this potion. But before she could fall in love with him, she learned of his evil plans.
So she plotted another one to kill him. She poured the potion on a boulder when she saw the wizard and it rolled and crushed him because of the spell on it. But with his dying breath, the wizard cursed Bhangarh and said it will be destructed. Soon, the Mughals invaded the kingdom and destroyed the city.
They may have died but the spirits of these people, including the wizard’s and the princess’ roam the fort’s interiors. They do not let anyone inside and if someone does go in, they don’t come back alive. The spirits are so strong that there is a signboard warning people not to go inside post dark.
Where is Bhangarh Fort?
Bhangarh Fort is in the Alwar district in Rajasthan. You can visit the fort until 6 pm every day.