The Grand Falling of Bhangarh Fort
Built in the seventeenth century, the ruins of Bhangarh Fort are located at the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan, India. At its peak, Bhangarh was a thriving village and fortified stronghold. The fort consisted of temples, various public chambers and marketplaces, and the royal palace.
Today the ruins attract visitors from all over, but everyone is advised to leave the area before sundown. In fact, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) officially banned all entry at night. Why? Because Bhangarh Fort is the most haunted place in India, and none who enter after nightfall ever return.
The sign from the ASI advising people not to be on the premises after dark.
Image courtesy of traveltriangle.com.
Locals believe the ruins are cursed, and they don’t even live near the fort out of fear and superstition. All who have tried have had their roofs collapse. Reported hauntings range from spectral sightings to mysterious noises, all occurring at night. No one knows what actually happens inside, though: those curious enough to investigate never come back.
Visitors during the daytime feel restless, dizzy, and watched throughout their stay, and often report hearing chattering, music and footsteps throughout its ruined halls. Perhaps the mysterious sounds are from the spirits of its former inhabitants. Perhaps they are unaware that they have passed.
There are many speculations as to why the ruins are haunted, but here are the two most popular legends. Which one seems more real to you?
Legend 1
According to the first legend, the fort was built with the permission of a local holy man, Guru Balu Nath, with the condition that the structures didn’t interfere with his homestead. He promised that ruin would befall the fort if this condition wasn’t met. While this promise was initially honoured, unfortunately future constructions were built tall enough to cast a shadow on his house, and so the fort was doomed.
Gopinath temple at Bhangarh fort.
Image courtesy of bhangarhfort.in.
Legend 2
The next legend is the most popular story regarding the haunting of Bhangarh Fort, and of course, it involves a beautiful princess.
Princess Ratnavati had attracted the affections of many potential suitors, and among them was a practitioner of black magic. This magician, named Singhia, was so enamored that he tried giving her a love potion by lacing her perfume with the concoction.
The princess caught wind of his plans and threw the tainted item at a boulder, which rolled over Singhia and fatally wounded him. With his dying breath, the rejected magician placed a curse on the entire fort. Kinder tellings of the tale spare his life, but the fort was cursed all the same.
Regardless, Bhangarh Fort was ransacked shortly after Singhia cast his curse and all of its inhabitants were killed—including Princess Ratnavati. The fort has been haunted ever since. Many who believe this legend claim that the curse will be lifted when the princess is reborn and returns to the fort, bringing its former glory with her.
If you are interested in visiting Bhangarh Fort, remember: don’t wander off, don’t enter at night, and don’t ever believe that you are alone.
Michelle A.
Michelle is a second-year student in the Professional Writing program. She doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life. She hopes she’s doing something right. She is a great person to talk to; doesn’t talk much herself.