India’s 8 most haunted sites and stories behind them

India is not all about monuments and temples, it is also about its long, complex history, and its own set of mysteries. This adds an aura of mystery among some of its landmarks, which come accompanied with eerie legends, ghostly sightings, and chilling stories, sure to haunt the curious visitors, but nonetheless they set out to explore such places for adventure and exploration. In case you are also the curious kind, here are supposedly eight haunted locations in India where history and paranormal activity go hand in hand. (Canva)

Tucked away amid Delhi’s urban sprawl, Agrasen Ki Baoli is a centuries-old stepwell that feels like from another realm. Stretching 60 m long and 15 m wide, this architectural marvel is now a protected monument, but its eerie silence and dark waters have earned it a reputation for the paranormal. Many claim the deeper you go, the heavier the air feels. (Canva)

Built in 1732, this fort once housed the Peshwas of the Maratha Empire. But its grandeur is shadowed by the brutal murder of young Peshwa Narayanrao in 1773, allegedly orchestrated by his uncle Raghunathrao and aunt Anandibai. Locals claim to hear the ghostly cries of “Kaka, mala vachwa!” (“Uncle, save me!”) on full moon nights. (Canva)

Perhaps India’s most infamous haunted site, Bhangarh Fort is so steeped in ghost stories that entry is banned after sunset and before sunrise. Legends blame the town’s ruin on either a sadhu's curse or a spurned sorcerer’s dark magic. Either way, the site draws thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts from across the globe. (Canva)

In the 1800s, Kuldhara, a thriving Paliwal Brahmin community close to Jaisalmer, was inexplicably abandoned overnight. According to folklore, the inhabitants cursed the land to prevent future habitation. Some paranormal researchers think the location still has leftover energy from its past, even if residents today spread these stories to attract tourists. (Canva)

This majestic fort in Hyderabad is not only known for its acoustics and architecture, but it’s also famed for its share of ghost stories. There have been reports of people hearing phantom footsteps and the jingling of dancer Taramati’s anklets in the night. Taramati, once a famed courtesan, is said to still linger in her old haunts. (Canva)

Home to the historic Victoria Boys’ School and surrounded by eerie, mist-laced woods, Dow Hill isn’t just known for its education, it’s infamous as one of Bengal’s most haunted spots. Rumoured to be the site of several unsolved murders, the area has given birth to chilling tales of headless spirits and shadowy figures wandering the forest paths and empty school corridors. (Canva)

The Lakkidi Gateway in Wayanad, Kerala is famed not only for its misty beauty but also for eerie tales. Locals believe the ghost of a tribal chieftain, betrayed and killed during British rule, still haunts this mountain pass. Travelers report strange sounds, unsettling chills, and an uncanny feeling of being watched while crossing the gateway.

Just a stone’s throw from Delhi’s chaos lies a ghost story with serious Bollywood vibes. People have reported seeing a woman in a white saree, haunting Delhi Cantt’s roads, politely asking for a lift. And if you decline, she might just sprint alongside your car. There’s no official proof, but the legend has enough late-night drivers switching to daytime commutes. (Canva)