- Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan is famously haunted with entry banned after sunset by ASI
- Shaniwarwada Fort in Pune is known for the ghostly cries of a betrayed prince on full moons
- Kuldhara Village near Jaisalmer was mysteriously abandoned with a curse on the land
If you are the kind of traveller who prefers goosebumps over golden sunsets, this one is for you. With Halloween 2025 approaching, it feels like the right time to trade pumpkin spice for something far spookier. India's past is a blend of royalty, betrayal, and lingering whispers - the kind that refuse to fade with time. From Rajasthan's cursed forts to Delhi's haunted ruins, some stories have aged like fine wine, dark and unsettling. A few sites are so steeped in legend that even the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has put up warning boards about venturing in after dark. Whether you believe in the supernatural or simply enjoy a good mystery, these haunted places in India promise a Halloween experience that feels straight out of a horror film - but with a history lesson thrown in.
Also Read: 7 Fascinating Hill Forts Of India For A Lesson In History
Here Are 10 Haunted Places In India You Can Visit:
1. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
Every haunted conversation in India somehow finds its way back to Bhangarh. Standing on the edge of the Aravallis, this 17th-century fort is completely deserted yet feels strangely alive with stories. Locals say a sorcerer cursed the fort after his love for the princess of Bhangarh was rejected, and the curse still echoes through the ruins.
The ASI's board outside the gate is hard to miss: "Entry after sunset is strictly prohibited." When the government agrees something is too haunted for the night, you know the rumours are not taken lightly.
- How to get there: About 83 kilometres from Jaipur. Hiring a cab or driving is easiest.
- Best time to visit: October to March.
- Budget tip: Entry is free; local guides usually charge Rs. 300-Rs. 500.

2. Shaniwarwada Fort, Maharashtra
What looks like a chapter from Maratha history by day becomes folklore by night. Built in 1732, Pune's Shaniwarwada Fort hides the tragic tale of young Narayanrao, a prince betrayed and killed within these walls. It is said his terrified cries - "Kaka mala vachva!" ("Uncle, save me!") - can still be heard on full moon nights.
Even though the administration closes the gates before dusk, standing there at sunset is enough to feel the temperature drop in more ways than one.
- How to get there: Located in central Pune; autos and cabs are easily available.
- Best time to visit: November to February.
- Budget tip: Entry fee is Rs. 5. Combine it with a heritage walk through the old city.
Also Read: From Golconda To Bekal: 7 Must-See Forts In South India For History Buffs
3. Kuldhara Village, Rajasthan
In the heart of the Thar Desert lies Kuldhara, a ghost town where silence does most of the storytelling. Once a thriving Brahmin settlement near Jaisalmer, the village was mysteriously abandoned overnight two centuries ago. The legend goes that the villagers fled to protect their daughters from a powerful minister and cursed the land before leaving.
Even under the desert sun, walking through its crumbling lanes feels like stepping into a forgotten century, where the air itself carries memories.
- How to get there: Around 18 kilometres from Jaisalmer. Hire a cab or motorbike.
- Best time to visit: October to February.
- Budget tip: Entry fee is Rs. 10; guides charge around Rs. 200.
4. Dow Hill, West Bengal
In Kurseong near Darjeeling, Dow Hill looks like any other misty hill station - until you hear its stories. The area, lined with old colonial schools and pine forests, is said to be home to strange occurrences. Locals speak of ghostly footsteps echoing through the corridors of Victoria Boys' High School, and of a headless boy seen walking along the forest path.
Beautiful as it is, the stillness of Dow Hill has a way of making you glance over your shoulder.
- How to get there: About 30 kilometres from Darjeeling; taxis are easily available.
- Best time to visit: March to May, or October to December.
- Budget tip: Stay in Kurseong and hire a taxi for approximately Rs. 500 for local travel.

5. Brij Raj Bhavan Palace, Rajasthan
Not every ghost is malevolent. Kota's Brij Raj Bhavan Palace, now a heritage hotel, is said to be haunted by Major Burton, a British officer killed during the 1857 uprising. According to staff, his ghost still patrols the halls, ensuring guards remain awake during duty hours.
The palace's colonial charm and riverside views make it inviting by day, but it is that faint brush with the past that keeps guests up at night - half in awe, half in curiosity.
- How to get there: About 6 kilometres from Kota Railway Station. Taxis are easily available.
- Best time to visit: September to February.
- Budget tip: Rooms start from Rs. 2,000. Heritage tours are available on request.
Also Read: 7 Breathtaking Forts in Rajasthan That Will Leave You Speechless
6. Agrasen Ki Baoli, Delhi
Between the buzz of Connaught Place lies Agrasen Ki Baoli - Delhi's most photographed yet eerily quiet monument. This centuries-old stepwell, with its symmetrical arches and dark depths, has been a subject of both history and horror. Visitors claim the silence grows heavier the deeper one descends, as though the walls themselves are listening.
Now a protected monument, it attracts both history lovers and those seeking a mild scare before coffee.
- How to get there: A 10-minute walk from Barakhamba Road Metro.
- Best time to visit: Early morning, October to February.
- Budget tip: Entry is free; visit before 5 PM.
7. Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb, Delhi
Tucked inside Mehrauli Archaeological Park, the 16th-century Jamali Kamali Mosque is serene yet unsettling. It is said to be home to jinns - supernatural beings believed to exist between worlds. Visitors have reported whispers, cold touches, and even invisible slaps. Those who work nearby usually leave before the sun does.
With its Indo-Islamic architecture and mystique, this site sits perfectly between Delhi's beauty and its unease.
- How to get there: Near Qutub Minar Metro; a short auto ride away.
- Best time to visit: October to March.
- Budget tip: Entry is free. Combine it with a Qutub Minar visit.
8. Malcha Mahal, Delhi
Deep inside Delhi's Ridge Forest, Malcha Mahal feels like a forgotten chapter of fading royalty. Once home to the descendants of the Nawab of Oudh, the structure became infamous after its final occupants lived and died in isolation. Their mysterious lives fuelled endless ghost stories, and even today, locals speak of flickering lights and faint screams.
Though closed to the public, a walk near the trail still feels like stepping into an unfinished story that never found its ending.
- How to get there: Accessible via Sardar Patel Marg and visible from the forest trail.
- Best time to visit: November to February.
- Budget tip: Not open for entry; view it from the trail.

9. Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, Delhi
This 14th-century fort carries the weight of Delhi's spiritual folklore. Every Thursday, locals gather to leave letters, lamps, and offerings for the jinns said to reside here. The ruined chambers, dim tunnels, and still courtyards give it an energy that feels both ancient and alive.
For many, the fort is not just a monument - it is a bridge between faith and fear.
- How to get there: A short walk from Delhi Gate Metro.
- Best time to visit: Thursday evenings before dark.
- Budget tip: Entry fee is Rs. 25. Go with someone familiar with the local customs.
10. Bhuli Bhatiyari Ka Mahal, Delhi
Hidden inside the Ridge area, Bhuli Bhatiyari Ka Mahal feels like Delhi's forgotten ghost. Built in the 14th century as a hunting lodge, it is now a decaying structure with an unnerving silence. Locals believe a queen who died waiting for her king still wanders these ruins. At sunset, when the light fades and the city hum quieten, it feels as though the air pauses - just for her.
- How to get there: Ten minutes from Jhandewalan Metro.
- Best time to visit: October to February, before 5 PM.
- Budget tip: Entry is free.
Whether you believe in ghosts or not, these haunted places remind us of that history rarely stays quiet. So, if you are looking for a Halloween 2025 plan that swaps costumes for curiosity, India's haunted trail might just be your next adventure.
Happy haunting - and safe travels!
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