Top 5 haunted places in India

Every old place collects stories. Some are about kings and battles. Others are about a cry in the night or a figure in white that no one can explain. India has many such spots, and a few of them have become famous as haunted places in India.

In this article, I’ll take you through five of the best known ones. For each place, I’ll share the real history first and then the legend people tell. I am not saying ghosts are real or fake. I’m only reporting what history records show and what locals say. You can make up your own mind.

The old version of this post had a few facts wrong, such as who built Bhangarh and how old the young Peshwa was when he was killed. Those are fixed below.

Top 5 Haunted Places in India

1. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan

Bhangarh is a ruined fort town in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. It sits at the foot of the Aravalli hills, on the edge of the Sariska Tiger Reserve. It is about 235 km from Delhi. The nearest big airport is Jaipur, roughly 88 km away.

The history. Bhangarh dates to the late 16th or early 17th century. Most accounts say the town was set up as the home of Madho Singh, the second son of Raja Bhagwant Das of Amber. Madho Singh’s elder brother was Raja Man Singh I, a top general in Emperor Akbar’s court. Some sources, including the national tourism website, credit Man Singh I with building it instead. So the exact builder and year are still debated. The old version of this post said it was built in 1613 by a son of Man Singh. That does not match the records.

Inside the walls you will find temples, palaces, a market street and havelis, which are large old mansions. There are five gates, including the Lahori, Ajmeri, Phulbari and Delhi gates. The Gopinath Temple stands on a raised base about 14 feet high.

The legend. Two stories are told. In one, a holy man lived inside the fort. He warned that no house should be taller than his own. When a new building cast its shadow on his home, the town was ruined. In the other story, a priest who practised black magic fell for a princess of Bhangarh. He tried to win her with a love potion. She threw it on a rock, which rolled onto him and crushed him. Before dying, he cursed the town.

Visiting. The fort is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. The Archaeological Survey of India, which looks after old monuments, does not allow entry before sunrise or after sunset. Many people link that rule to the ghost stories. It is also a sensible safety rule at a ruin with no lights. Read more about the state in our guide to Rajasthan’s history, geography and tourism.

2. Delhi Cantonment, Delhi

Delhi Cantonment is a large, green army area in the capital. A cantonment is a town area set aside for the armed forces. Its wide, tree lined roads can feel quiet and lonely late at night.

The legend. People say a woman in a white saree waves at cars on these roads at night and asks for a lift. If a driver does not stop, she is said to run alongside the car at great speed. Some websites say she died in a road accident there. No record names her. The old version of this post called her a hitchhiker in life, which is also just a guess.

The other view. A Hindustan Times piece on Delhi’s “white saree ghosts” gave the doubter’s side too. Lights from a passing car, a gust of wind or the way our side vision works can trick the brain. Scientists call one such effect pareidolia. It is our habit of seeing faces and shapes in random patterns. The same piece noted that horror films made the white saree ghost a popular image. For more spooky spots in the capital, see our list of haunted places in Delhi.

3. Brijraj Bhawan Palace, Kota

Brijraj Bhawan stands on the banks of the Chambal river in Kota, Rajasthan. Today it is a heritage hotel run by the former royal family of Kota.

The history. The East India Company built it around 1830, with money from Kota state, as a home for the British Political Agent. It was then called the Agency Bungalow. In 1900 the agent’s seat moved to Bharatpur and the building became the state guest house. The Maharao of Kota got the building in 1956, renamed it Brijraj Bhawan, and opened it as a hotel in 1964.

The darker part of its history comes from 1857. During the great revolt of that year, the agent’s house was attacked on 15 October 1857. Major Charles Aeneas Burton, aged 47, was killed along with his two sons, Arthur and Francis. A plaque in a Kota cemetery records their deaths. In 2026, its harsh words about the Indian soldiers sparked protests and calls for its removal. You can read about that year in our article on the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

The legend. Locals and hotel stories say Major Burton never left. According to a Times of India travel feature, a former Maharani of Kota told a British journalist in 1980 that she had seen him in her study. She described an old man with white hair and a walking stick. Guards claim the ghost slaps or scolds anyone who dozes off on duty. In these stories he is said to be harmless.

4. Dumas Beach, Gujarat

Dumas is a rural beach on the Arabian Sea, about 21 km southwest of Surat. It is a popular weekend spot in south Gujarat. The Dariya Ganesh Temple stands right next to the main beach.

The legend. Locals believe the beach was once used as a burial or cremation ground, and say this is why it feels uneasy after dark. Stories speak of whispers in the wind and of people who walked off at night and never came back. I could not find any official record that backs up the claims about missing people.

Visiting. Go in daylight and stay with your group. Like any lonely beach, it is not a good idea to wander away from the crowd after dark, ghost or no ghost.

5. Shaniwar Wada, Pune

Shaniwar Wada is a fort palace in the heart of Pune, Maharashtra. It was the seat of the Peshwas, the chief ministers who ran the Maratha state, until 1818.

The history. Peshwa Bajirao I laid the foundation on a Saturday, 10 January 1730. The name comes from the Marathi words Shaniwar, meaning Saturday, and Wada, meaning a home complex. It was completed in 1732 at a cost of Rs 16,110, a huge sum then. On 27 February 1828, a great fire broke out inside. It burned for seven days. Only the stone walls, strong teak gates and foundations survived. The main Delhi Darwaza gate still has sharp steel spikes at the height of an elephant’s head, to stop war elephants from charging it.

The fort also saw a murder. In 1773, Narayanrao, the young tenth Peshwa, was killed by guards in a plot linked to his uncle Raghunathrao and aunt Anandibai. He was born on 10 August 1755 and died on 30 August 1773, so he had just turned 18. The old version of this post said he was 13. That was wrong. His body was taken out for cremation through a gate that is now called Narayan Darwaza. Learn more about this period in our article on the Maratha Empire.

The legend. People say that on full moon nights, a voice can be heard crying “Kaka mala vachava”, which means “Uncle, save me” in Marathi. It is said to be the young Peshwa calling for help.

Why Do Stories Like These Last?

Each of these places has something real at its heart. Bhangarh is a true ghost town, empty and broken. Brijraj Bhawan and Shaniwar Wada saw real killings. Old ruins, lonely roads and dark beaches set the mood, and a good story spreads fast by word of mouth. So enjoy these tales as folklore and history, not as proven fact.

Tips for Visiting Haunted Places in India

Visit during the official opening hours and follow the rules at protected sites. Go with friends or a guide, and tell someone where you are going. Respect temples and memorials inside these sites. And please do not scratch names on old walls. The real damage to these places comes from people, not spirits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most haunted place in India?

Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan is the one most often given that title. The tourism website itself calls it one of the most haunted places in India.

Can you enter Bhangarh Fort at night?

No. Entry is not allowed before sunrise or after sunset. The site is open from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Who haunts Shaniwar Wada?

Legend says it is Narayanrao, the young Peshwa killed there in 1773. People claim his cries of “Uncle, save me” are heard on full moon nights.

Is Brijraj Bhawan a hotel?

Yes. It has been a heritage hotel since 1964 and is still home to the former royal family of Kota.

Are these places really haunted?

There is no scientific proof that ghosts exist. The stories are local beliefs. The history behind each place, though, is real and worth learning.