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The Ghostly Whispers of Kolkata Dockyard by Wajid Ali Shah

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The ghost of the last Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh is said to be haunting the Kolkata Dockyard. After being betrayed and left by the British he is waiting for the chance of retribution as he is waiting for his ship that never came.

The Kolkata Dock, also known as Kidderpore Dock, is a historic maritime facility located along the banks of the Hooghly River in Kolkata, India. This bustling dockyard has played a pivotal role in the city’s maritime trade and industrial history. The dock spans a significant stretch of the riverfront, characterized by its extensive network of piers, quays, and warehouses.

The Kolkata Dock is also home to a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, bustling marketplaces, and vibrant waterfront promenades. Here, sailors, traders, and dockworkers once mingled amidst the hustle and bustle of daily life, their voices blending with the sounds of creaking ships and lapping waves.

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

Today, while much of the Kolkata Dock remains active, parts of it have fallen into disuse and decay, lending an air of nostalgia and melancholy to its surroundings. Abandoned warehouses and crumbling piers stand as reminders of a bygone era.

Kolkata Dockyard is also said to be haunted by a very particular ghost. 

The Deposed King Haunting Kolkata Dockyard

The haunted rumors surrounding the dock have a surprisingly royal host. The Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh was the 11th and last king there. The Kingdom had long been protected by the East Indian Company after the British took over India, before they turned and annexed the kingdom in 1856. 

Wajid Ali Shah: The deposed King, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh is thought to be the one haunting the Kolkata Dockyard.

Wajid Ali Shah (واجد علی شاه) came after relinquishing his throne and Kingdom and wanted to get to London. He was hoping the British would give him refuge and live in comfort for the rest of his days. Arriving at Bichali Ghat not far from Kiddipore by steamboat, little did he know, he would not get any further.

He wanted to plead his case to Queen Victoria, as he believed in the British justice system. Instead, he was imprisoned at Fort William by them during the Indian Rebellion of 1857 as they believed he could be a rallying figure for the sepoys. 

The government had left him there on the banks of the Hooghly river with houses and he spent the rest of his life in Kolkata, building the dock. Heartbroken that he would never return to his beloved homestead in Lucknow.

Many sources claim that Wajid Ali Shah was the one building the dock and that is the reason why he is haunting it to this day. How much involvement the former king really had with the dock is uncertain, although we know he did spend a lot of money on building throughout his exile in Kolkata, although mostly lavish homes for himself in Garden Reach close to the river banks of the Hooghly River west of Kidderpore. 

In fact, Kolkata Dockyard has existed in some form of capacity since the early 16th century when the Portuguese came to Bengal. It was a rather small port until the British East India Company made it to a major center of maritime trade. The wet dock in Kidderpore was put up in 1892 after the merchants in Kolkata demanded it. 

The Ghost of the Nawab Wajid Ali Shah

Now, centuries later, whispers of the Nawab’s restless spirit haunt the Kolkata Dockyard, his spectral form said to wander the shadows in search of vengeance over the British who betrayed him. 

It is said that the Nawab’s ghostly apparition roams Kolkata Dockyard, still bitter of how the British treated him. Witnesses report seeing shadows darting among the abandoned warehouses and decaying piers. The Nawab was fond of Hindustani classical music and dock workers believe haunting notes of music can be heard in the area.

According to the stories, there are also the ghosts of soldiers and sailors who died at the Kolkata Dockyard as well, waiting with him in the afterlife. 

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References:

Port of Kolkata – Wikipedia 

Wajid Ali Shah – Wikipedia 

11 Haunted Places In Kolkata That You Should Not Visit Alone

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Echoes in the Abyss: The Ghostly Legacy of Stephen Bishop at Mammoth Cave

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The Mammoth Cave National Park is said to be haunted, by both the spirit of the first tour guide, the slave Stephen Bishop as well as the tuberculosis patients that were put in the caves and died in an experiment. 

Mammoth Cave in Kentucky, US stands as a colossal testament to the wonders that lie beneath the Earth’s surface. Designated as a National Park in 1941, Mammoth Cave National Park beckons adventurers to explore its intricate labyrinth of tunnels, a subterranean world that stretches over 400 miles and remains the largest cave structure ever discovered. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Yet, amid the awe-inspiring beauty of this geological marvel, a spectral tale lingers—one that reaches back to a time when Mammoth Cave was more than a park; it was a stage for the haunting legacy of Stephen Bishop, the slave tour guide that are said to haunt it.

Mammoth Cave: The entrance to Mammoth Cave at Mammoth Cave National Park. It doesn’t hold any mammoth remains, but according to stories, it is haunted by the past guides and patients who died.

The Mammoth Cave

But what really is the Mammoth Cave, and what can you find within? No fossils of the woolly mammoth have ever been found in Mammoth Cave, and the name of the cave has nothing to do with this extinct mammal and refer more to the sheer size of it.

Mammoth Cave National Park, located in central Kentucky, is a subterranean wonderland and the longest cave system in the world, boasting over 400 miles of explored passages. This UNESCO World Heritage Site and International Biosphere Reserve is renowned for its stunning underground labyrinth, featuring vast chambers, intricate formations, and unique geological features. 

Above ground, the park encompasses diverse ecosystems, including lush forests and rolling hills, providing habitats for a variety of wildlife. Visitors can embark on guided tours to explore the cave’s depths, learn about its rich history and the ancient Native American artifacts found within, and enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and canoeing. 

The Cave Explorer Stephen Bishop

Long before Mammoth Cave received its National Park status, it captivated the curiosity of tourists as a privately owned attraction driven by a grim history of slave labor, the cave tours were led by individuals like Stephen Bishop, a man who transcended the shackles of slavery to become a pioneering explorer within the depths of Mammoth Cave.

Stephen Bishop: A slave who worked at the Mammoth Cave as its guide and explorer who made the basis of what we know of it today. Some people claim he is haunting the cave to this day.

Stephen Bishop (1821-1857) was brought to the caves to work when he was 17 years old by Franklin Gorin, a lawyer who wanted to turn the site into a tourist attraction. Gorin owned Mammoth Cave for just a year before selling it to John Croghan for $10,000, a price that included Bishop. He stayed on for another 19 years, exploring the cave, mapping it out and became a well known explorer and self thought geologist guiding people around the caves. He called the caves a: “A grand, gloomy, and peculiar place.”

He had initially intended to free his wife and son and move to Liberia, but never did. Stephen Bishop was freed the year before his death and was buried close to the cave. What he died of is uncertain, and is said to be of mysterious causes only 37 years old.

The Ghost of Stephen Bishop Haunting the Caves

In the modern era, those who venture into the quiet depths of Mammoth Cave claim to witness the ethereal presence of something strange, often believed to be the spirit of Stephen Bishop. Alone in the inky blackness, explorers report glimpses of his ghostly figure, a spectral guide traversing the same paths he once trod in life. 

A thing the guide does is turn the electric lights off and only speaks to the tour by a light of an oil lantern as they used to do. They call this a blackout and this is when most reports about strange things happening. 

Guides claim to have been shoved by a strange and invisible force, grabbed or touched when no one is around. They have also heard footsteps, but when turning around, there is no one there.

One time when staying in the room called the Methodist Church because the miners used to hold services there, a guide claimed to have seen an entire black family in their group, a strange thing as there were no black people joining their tour when they entered the caves. When he looked away for a second, they were gone. 

The Tuberculosis Patients

Another thing that Dr. Croghan did was to establish Dr. Croghan’s Infirmary after he purchased the caves in 1839. He thought that the cold and subterranean place would be good for the lungs, but it was actually the opposite. Several of his patients’ conditions got worse and three patients died before the experiment shut down a few months after. 

Bishop, the Bransfords , and possibly other enslaved workers built huts in the cave, two of which can still be seen today and the sick lived side by side by the tour guides, becoming a spectacle themselves. 

Tuberculosis Patients: Ten young women and a man posed at a small stone building inside Mammoth Cave where they built huts to accommodate tuberculosis patients. None of them got any better, some of them died and allegedly still haunts the caves.

Croghan died in 1849 from tuberculosis himself. The bodies were taken outside and buried on a stone slab now called Corpse Rock. 

After the infirmary closed down, visitors spoke of hearing the sound of coughing echoing through the cave in the section where the patients once were placed. 

Mammoth Cave, with its grandeur and secrets, holds within its depths the lingering spirits of those who shaped its past. The ghostly legacy of Stephen Bishop, an explorer who dared to unveil the mysteries of the abyss, continues to resonate through the cavernous chambers, where echoes of the past reverberate alongside the drip of stalactites, creating an otherworldly symphony in the subterranean darkness.

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References:

Stephen Bishop (cave explorer) – Wikipedia 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/enslaved-tour-guide-stephen-bishop-made-mammoth-cave-must-see-destination-it-today-180971424

Mammoth Cave National Park Harbors More Than A Few Ghost Stories  

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The Haunted Wipro Office Building of Kolkata’s Salt Lake City

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Can a modern office building like the Wipro Office Building in Salt Lake City, Kolkata be haunted? According to frightened employees it can, and many believe it is because of the haunted ground it was built on. 

On the streets of Salt Lake City, a satellite city and IT hub in Kolkata lies an office building shrouded in whispers and eerie tales—the Wipro Office Building. While it may seem like just another workplace for the tech-savvy denizens of the IT world, beneath its modern façade lurks a dark and haunted history that sends shivers down the spines of those who dare to venture within.

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

Legend has it that Salt Lake City, or Bidhannagar (বিধাননগর), as it is officially known, was constructed upon a wetland—a land steeped in ancient mystique and rumored to be an ancient burial ground. 

Before the IT Boom the city is known as now, the area Salt Lake City is built upon, used to be a jungle, and according to local lore, a place of murders and crimes took place in the dark. One speculation is that the reported haunting that is said to go on in the building comes from this.

Wipro Limited is an Indian multinational corporation that provides information technology, consultant and business process services. It is one of the leading Big Tech companies within cloud computing, computer security, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, robotics, data analytics, and other technology consulting services to customers in 167 countries with many hundreds of thousands of employees.

The Haunted Wipro Office Building

As dusk descends upon the cityscape and the hum of activity fades into the stillness of the night, strange figures are said to emerge from the shadows, haunting the corridors and cubicles of the Wipro Office Building. It is especially said that the 3rd floor of the building is the most haunted floor. 

Employees working the midnight shift speak in hushed tones of eerie encounters and inexplicable phenomena that defy rational explanation. Many recount tales of encountering spectral apparitions and unsettling presences lurking in the dimly lit hallways.

But it is not just the apparitions that instill fear in the hearts of those who frequent the Wipro Office Building. Employees working late into the night speak of an overwhelming sense of dread that washes over them as they navigate the labyrinthine corridors, afraid to venture too far from the safety of their desks. 

According to the stories, the employees working at night are sometimes even afraid to go to the washrooms or use the lifts alone, in case they experience something more paranormal or at least, unexplained. 

Details about the haunting going on in the building is sparse, and not easily verified. Much of the stories come from people claiming to know someone working there. A video that was being passed around claimed to have gotten the haunting on tape. Have a look for yourself. Is this truly a haunting and not a hoax going on, is it even inside of the Wipro Office Building?

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References:

Bidhannagar – Wikipedia 

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The Legend of the Ute Spirits of the Mist on the Grand Lake

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On misty mornings on the Grand Lake in the Rocky Mountain National park in Colorado, it is said that the ghosts of the Ute tribe are haunting the cursed water after drowning in it after a bloody battle.

“Since that dark night when the storm frowned,
And night her mantle had thrown around,
The ghosts of the warriors lain,
Rise up from their graves again,
Again in battle line they stand,
The dead chief leading his command.
They then engage in deadly fight
And stop not till the morning light;
For at the first faint streak of day
These ghostly forms will fade away.
By Joseph L. Wescott as told by an old Ute Chief

Rocky Mountain National Park, located in northern Colorado, is a breathtaking expanse of wilderness encompassing over 415 square miles of rugged mountains, alpine lakes, and diverse ecosystems. Established in 1915, the park is renowned for its stunning vistas, including the towering peaks of the Continental Divide and the picturesque Trail Ridge Road, which offers panoramic views from over 12,000 feet above sea level. Visitors to the park can explore over 350 miles of hiking trails, encounter a rich variety of wildlife such as elk, bighorn sheep, and black bears, and experience the serene beauty of lush meadows and dense forests. 

The park also houses many of the infamous haunted places, like the real hotel that inspired Stephen King’s iconic novel, The Shining.

Read More: Check out the ghost stories from The Haunted History of The Stanley Hotel, the hotel in the Shining is based on.

Within the majestic beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park, where peaks touch the heavens and valleys cradle secrets, lies a tale that weaves through the landscape like the mist that graces its peaks. 

Rocky Mountains: On misty mornings in the rocky mountain national park by Grand Lake, it is said that the ghost of the Ute Spirits from a bloody battle is still haunted the now cursed lake.

The Ute Tribe on the Grand Lake

Legend speaks of a group of Utes who, centuries ago, established a camp near the serene Grand Lake. This is Colorado’s largest natural body of water and in the time when the natives occupied the land, it was known as Spirit Lake. There are many stories around this lake, some claiming that the spirit of a mighty buffalo is roaming the lake when it is frozen, only leaving hoof prints behind.  

But the most haunted story about the Grand Lake is the Legend of the Ute Spirits. Where the tribe originally came from is uncertain, could they have come from the Great Basin or Mexico? Perhaps they were descendants of the Paleo-Indians who used to hunt mammoths and mastodons in the area. In any case, they held a stronghold in the Western slope of the Rockies for a long time. The nomadic tribes spent their summers in the area until the land was taken by the U.S government in 1803. 

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

The indigenous had lived in the area for thousands of years and the Ute tribe was primarily at the west side of the park around Grand Lake and Lake Granby. They were hunters and gatherers and migrated every season on the hunting grounds along the Western slope of the Continental Divide.

The Ute People: In addition to their ancestral lands within Colorado and Utah, their historic hunting grounds extended into current-day Wyoming, Oklahoma, Arizona, and New Mexico. The tribe also had sacred grounds outside their home domain that were visited seasonally. Group of Ute Indians on the War Path. 1868. Andrew J. Russell, photographer.

This picturesque scene, however, would soon be marred by tragedy. The Utes found themselves unexpectedly ambushed by a rival tribe, the Arapahos and possibly the Cheyenne as well. The Arapahos were a neighboring tribe, originally from present day Canada who had migrated to the present day Colorado around 1790 because of conflict with their neighbors. They mostly settled in the eastern part of the park, and conflict between the two tribes escalated.

Originally they mostly fought over hunting ground, but after gold was found in Colorado in 1858, both of the tribes were pushed further away and confined them to reservations and by 1878, the Arapaho tribe were pushed into a reservation in Wyoming and Oklahoma, and the Ute pushed into the southwest corner of Colorado and Utah. 

Ute Camp: Prior to living on reservations, Utes shared land with other tribal members according to a traditional societal property system. Instead of recognizing this lifestyle, the U.S. government provided allotments of land. The Utes were intended to farm the land, which also was a forced vocational change. Utes were forced to perform manual labor, relinquish their horses, and send their children to American Indian boarding schools. Almost half of the children sent to boarding school in Albuquerque died in the mid-1880s, due to tuberculosis or other diseases. Photo: Charles Craig, Uncompahgre Ute Indian Camp, 1893

But before the land was completely lost to them, there was fighting around the Grand Lake and evidence of fighting on the west side of the lake and maybe the east side close to Moraine Park. The Arapaho entered the area through Forest Canyon, avoiding detection by Ute scouts.

According to stories, around 300 Utes were killed, with few being able to escape. In a desperate bid to escape the violence, the women and children of the Ute tribe embarked on a canoe or some sort of raft, seeking refuge from the impending danger.

As fate would have it, a sudden gust of wind, an unseen force, disrupted the waters and capsized the canoe, plunging its occupants into the icy depths. The lake, once a source of solace, became a watery grave, claiming the lives of those who sought refuge on its surface.

The Ute Spirits on the Lake

The Ute, grief-stricken and haunted by the memories of that ill-fated day, came to view Grand Lake as a cursed place. They shunned its shores, steering clear of the watery abyss that held the echoes of their collective tragedy. The misty mornings that embraced the lake seemed to carry the whispers of the lost Ute women and children, their spirits forever entwined with the ethereal elements of the landscape.

Read More: Check out all haunted Lakes

Today, visitors to Rocky Mountain National Park may find themselves enraptured by the mist-kissed mornings, where the veil between the seen and the unseen grows thin. The legend holds that you can still see ghostly forms in the morning mist rising from the lake and hear the wailing of the lost women and children beneath the winter ice. 

It is also said that during these moments, the spirits of the Ute women and children manifest, their ghostly figures beckoning onlookers to join them in the depths of the lake.

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References:

The Legend Of Grand Lake | KRKY Ski Country 

The Ute Legend of Grand Lake | Grand County History Stories 

Native American History of Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides 

https://www.coloradohistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&d=ETG19140711.2.21&e=——-en-20–1–img-txIN%7ctxCO%7ctxTA——–0——

Rocky Mountain National Park: An Indigenous History 

The Legend of Grand Lake 

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The Bride’s Jump Waterfall

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El Salto de la Novia is a rumored haunted waterfall. The Bride’s Jump Waterfall in Spain is thought to be haunted by the ghosts of a bride and her groom that drowned in the Palencia River. 

Close to a small town Navaja, in Castellon in Spain, lies the picturesque Bride’s Jump Waterfall towers over 30 meters, or El Salto de la Novia as it’s called in Spanish. Nestled amidst lush greenery and surrounded by the tranquility of nature, this majestic waterfall has become a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. The legend of the haunting bride has only added to its allure, drawing curious visitors from far and wide.

Read more: Check out all of our ghost stories from Spain

According to the legend there was a local custom for brides to jump over the Palencia River to prove their love and have a happy marriage. A fun and harmless tradition. A girl would find a narrow point in the river and jump over it in front of the villagers.

The Unlucky Wedding Couple

The legend of the Bride’s Jump Waterfall Ghost Story begins with an unlucky wedding couple. In the past, it was a local custom for brides to jump over the Palencia River to prove their love and ensure a happy marriage. 

This tradition of jumping from one bank to the other was seen as a fun and harmless way for the villagers to celebrate the union of two souls. The bride-to-be would find a narrow point in the river and bravely leap across it in front of the gathered villagers, symbolizing her commitment and devotion to her future spouse.

However, on one fateful day, tragedy struck as it turned out the harmless tradition was actually a dangerous endeavor. As the bride prepared to make her jump, her foot slipped on the wet rocks, causing her to lose her balance. With a cry of despair, she plummeted into the icy depths of the river below. In a desperate attempt to save his beloved, the groom leaped after her, but the strong current proved too powerful, and they were both swept away by the unforgiving waters.

To this day, the people who live near Bride’s Jump Waterfall claim to hear the voices of the ill-fated couple, echoing through the night. Some swear that on moonlit nights, the river itself turns as white as a wedding dress, a haunting reminder of the tragedy that unfolded many years ago. The story of the bride and groom who lost their lives at the waterfall has become a cautionary tale, a reminder of the fragility of love and the consequences of taking risks.

Close to a Small Town in Navaja, Spain

In recent years, the waterfall has emerged as more than just a site of tragedy and ghostly tales. It has become a popular spot for picnics and outings on sunny days, with families and friends gathering to enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscape. The cascading waters provide a soothing soundtrack, offering respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Salto de la Novia: The Bride’s Jump Waterfall has been the subject for a local legend and ghost story in Navaja, Spain for a long time.//Source: © Enrique Íñiguez Rodríguez (CC-BY-SA)/Wikimedia

Furthermore, Bride’s Jump Waterfall has become a sought-after location for wedding photoshoots. Couples are drawn to the romantic ambiance and the ethereal beauty of the waterfall, hoping to capture their love against the backdrop of this haunting legend. Despite the ghostly tales that surround it, the waterfall now holds the promise of new beginnings and hopeful futures for those who choose to exchange their vows in its presence.

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References:

Mysterious and Haunted Places in Spain
The Legend of Bride´s Jump in Navajas – At Lifestyle Crossroads
El Salto de la Novia de Navajas: leyenda y senderismo – Clubrural
Salto de la Novia

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The Courtesan Ghost of Golconda Fort

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The Golconda Fort, known for its diamonds and wealth, is also thought to be haunted. It is said that you can still hear the sound of rattling ghunghroos from the ghost of a beautiful dancer and courtesan.

Perched majestically on a hill overlooking Hyderabad, the ancient Golconda Fort, a fortified cited with its ruined city stands as a testament to the grandeur and power of the Qutb Shahi dynasty, reigning from 1518 to 1687. 

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

However, beneath its historical allure where diamonds like Koh-i-Nor and the Hope diamonds have been stored, lies a darker, more eerie reputation. Golconda Fort is reportedly haunted, with chilling tales of restless spirits, including those of long-dead soldiers and the ghostly specter of Taramati, a famous courtesan of the Qutb Shahi era.

The Start of Golconda Fort: The Kakatiya dynasty was an Indian dynasty that ruled most of eastern Deccan region in present-day India between 12th and 14th centuries. //Source: Photo by Sharath G.

A Fortress Steeped in History

This sprawling citadel built originally as a mud fort in the 11th or 13th century by the Kakatiyas, once the capital of the medieval sultanate ruling Andhra Pradesh, is renowned for its remarkable architecture, intricate gateways, and sprawling courtyards. 

Golconda Fort’s formidable walls have witnessed centuries of history, from royal intrigue and epic battles to the opulence of the Qutb Shahi rulers. The fort had vast diamond mines and in the end the very word Golconda became synonyms with wealth. 

Read more: Check out all of the Haunted Castles around the world

This fortress-city, with its ingeniously designed acoustics and labyrinthine passages, was once a thriving hub of power and culture. The fort’s grandeur, however, is juxtaposed with a haunting presence that pervades its ancient stones.

Ghosts of Fallen Soldiers at Golconda Fort

Among the many legends that haunt Golconda Fort, one of the most enduring is the tale of the ghostly soldiers from the many years the place was used as a fort. These spectral warriors are believed to be the spirits of soldiers who perished during the many battles that took place within and around the fort. Visitors and locals alike have reported seeing shadowy figures patrolling the ramparts, their ghostly forms clad in ancient armor, seemingly guarding the fort even in death.

The eerie silence of the fort at night is often broken by the faint sounds of clashing swords and battle cries, echoing through the empty corridors. Some have even claimed to hear the soft, mournful murmurs of soldiers recounting their last moments. These spine-chilling experiences have cemented Golconda Fort’s reputation as one of the most haunted places in India.

Diamonds: Golconda is renowned for the diamonds found on the south-east at Kollur Mine. At that time, India had the only known diamond mines in the world. Golconda was the market city of the diamond trade. The fortress-city within the walls was famous for diamond trade. // Source: Photo by Pankaj Mishra

The Tragic Tale of Taramati

Perhaps the most poignant and famous ghost story associated with Golconda Fort though is that of Taramati Mandir, one of the most celebrated courtesans of the Qutb Shahi dynasty. She served under the seventh ruler of the kingdom who ruled from 1626 to 1672. 

Courtesan: Portrait of a courtesan, India, Deccan, Golconda from around 1630-50.

Taramati was not only known for her beauty but also for her exceptional talent in Kuchipudi dance and music. She was a beloved figure in the royal court, and her performances were legendary.

Together with her sister Premamati Nritya Mandir they used to perform on a platform called Kala Mandir a kilometer away and in the Baradari for the travelers at the serai, a roadside inn, as the King enjoyed the dance and song from his durbar sitting on top of the fort. 

According to legend, the seventh Sultan Abdullah Qutb Shah, the ruler of Golconda was deeply in love with Taramati. He was a lover of poetry and music and fell in love with her as he heard her sing. 

Their love story, however, was doomed by the turbulent times and political upheaval and his ruling time was full of sorrows and trouble. We don’t really know much about Taramati’s feelings of this, but it does look like she was highly treasured.

The Tomb of Qutb Shahi

It is also said that the tomb of Qutb Shahi is where they buried Taramati and her sister together with her master as well as his queen around a kilometer away from the fort. They are among the few tombs that are not of royalty.

The southern entrance of the tomb complex was walled in fear of ghosts and goblins. Question is, to keep them out or to keep something in?

The Ghost of Taramati Baradari

Some versions of the tale suggest that Taramati met a tragic end, while others believe that she continued to live a life of sorrow after being separated from her beloved King. Details of her life is sparse, and mostly connected to the romantic fables about her being the love her Kings life.

Today, visitors to Golconda Fort often report hearing the unmistakable sound of ghunghroos (traditional anklet bells worn by dancers) echoing through the night after the fort is closed. This is said to happen around the baradari where she used to dance and sing especially.

These spectral sounds are believed to be the ghostly remnants of Taramati’s performances, a haunting reminder of a love and life that were lost to history.

Paranormal Encounters and Haunting Experiences

Over the years, numerous accounts of paranormal encounters at Golconda Fort have emerged. Tourists, night guards, and paranormal enthusiasts have all reported strange occurrences. 

Some staying at the fort after closing time claim to have seen the paintings on the walls turn upside down by themselves. 

Perhaps the worst is how people have reported about utensils being thrown at them and up against the walls in the Kabootarkhana or a feeling of a sharp pain coming out of nowhere.

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References:

Taramati Baradari – Wikipedia 

Golconda – Wikipedia 

Ghosts, goblins, gateways and Golconda – The Hindu 

Haunted Places In Hyderabad | Hyderabad Tales The Most Haunted Places Of The City | Times of India Travel 

10 Haunted Places In Hyderabad With Real Ghost Stories For Spooky Trips In 2024 

Haunted India: Golconda Fort, Hyderabad

Abdullah Qutb Shah – Wikipedia 

Taramati Baradari – A Symbol of Musical Love – Savaari Car Rentals Blog 

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Kolkata’s New Market and the Ghosts of the Murdered Women

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The ghosts of two women allegedly murdered at the New Market in Kolkata is said to be haunting the area. As does the former police commissioner and the one that built the market.  

Since its inception in the late 19th century, the historic marketplace New Market in Kolkata has been full of life and activity, attracting locals and tourists alike with its eclectic array of shops, stalls, and vendors with almost 3000 different shops. 

Even after several huge fires the market has bounced back and offers everything from From traditional textiles and exquisite jewelry, local cheese only found in the market to delectable street food and aromatic spices. 

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

The local lore of this place is that you can find everything at the New Market, perhaps even a ghost or two if we are to believe the stories.

New Market: This market is celebrated for its wide range of products, catering to virtually every need and preference. From clothing and accessories to electronics, household items, spices, and fresh produce, New Market offers a plethora of shopping options. //Source: Rajarshi MITRA/Wikimedia

The History of New Market

The New Market was first known as Sir Stuart Hogg Market and comes from the English colonists. By the 1850s, the British had a strong holding over large areas in the city then called Calcutta. 

Because the colonists didn’t want to mingle with the native Indians at the local Bazaars they decided to build one for themselves. In 1874, the market opened to the English residents and held a big colonial sway well into the 1900s. And it is from this time that the ghost stories emerged.

The Ghosts of the Murdered Women

According to local lore, New Market is haunted by more than one ghost. The most prominent reports about the haunting at the market is about women that were murdered close to the market.

How many women that haunts the market is uncertain. Most people talk about two separate ghosts although sources vary. Although one can be sure that throughout the years there have most likely been murdered more than three women there.

The women are also said to be Anglo-Indian and are often connected with the string of murders in 1868 that had at least five victims.

Read Also: The Chanting Monks Haunting La Boquería Market

Their restless spirits are said to wander the corridors of the marketplace, forever trapped between the realms of the living and the dead. It is said that they appear sometimes in a narrow lane next to the clock tower by the market.

People at the market claim they have heard the voices of the women, crying out for help. When they went to help them though, there was no one there. 

New Market: The ghost of the two murdered women have been said to appear right by the clock tower. // Source: Sudipta Mallick/Wikimedia

The Ghost of Hogg

The murdered women is not the only one said to haunt the New Market though. The man that the market was once named after, Commissioner S.S Hogg is said to have appeared among the stalls and stores, refusing to leave the market he helped build.

He was both the Police Commissioner of Calcutta were he established the Detective Departed as well as a chairman for the Calcutta Municipal Corporation. 

Through his time working as a policeman, he was involved with many murders that happened throughout the city. Perhaps also with the alleged killing of the women in New Market. Perhaps the ghosts haunting the market are connected to the string of murders from 1868, targeting white women in the streets not far from the market and close to the police station. 

Especially the murder of the Anglo-Indian sex worker Rose Brown that was found on Amherst Street north of the market changed the way the police worked as the first case where they used photographic evidence. Another five women were killed that year, and it looks like they never found the killer. 

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References:

https://www.kolkataonwheels.com/story-details/202

Stuart Saunders Hogg – Wikipedia 

10 haunted places in Kolkata you MUST visit to see what a horror movie really looks like

New Market, Kolkata – Wikipedia 

Searching ghosts in haunted houses 

The Amherst Street Murder and Calcutta’s Real-Life Sherlock Holmes 

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The Ghost of the Farmer of Norton Creek Trail

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In the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, a ghostly lantern is said to haunt the Norton Creek Trail. It is said that the helpful light, guiding lost hikers to safety is the ghost of a farmer who died years ago when looking for his lost daughter. 

The eerie beauty of the Fontana area you will find the Norton Creek Trail that holds a chilling legend that has both fascinated and frightened locals and visitors for generations. Not only does the area hold over 200 known cemeteries along the trail, it is also said that the area is haunted. As you tread along this path, you might witness a ghostly light floating in the woods, an ethereal glow that has become the cornerstone of a haunting tale.

Read More: Check out all ghost stories from the USA

Norton Creek Trail, nestled within the stunning expanse of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, offers hikers a serene yet eerie journey through lush forests and along the rippling Norton Creek. While the trail is known for its natural beauty, it is also shrouded in local folklore

The Legend of the Ghost Farmer

The story begins with a dedicated farmer, a man of the land whose life was irrevocably shattered when his beloved daughter disappeared into the dense, shadowy forests surrounding Norton Creek. 

What happened when the daughter went missing, no one ever found out. Perhaps she just wandered into the woods and got lost, perhaps she had an accident on her way og encountered an animal. Perhaps it was something worse, rooted in deep folklore from the natives. 

According to the stories, he was one of the European settlers and didn’t know about the stories about the notorious Spearfinger lurking in the woods according to the Cherokee tribes and most likely took his daughter. 

Desperate to find her, the farmer ventured into the night, carrying only a lantern to light his way. He never returned, and most likely died, perhaps finally being reunited with his daughter in the afterlife. 

Although, there are those claiming that his spirit remains in the same woods he disappeared, endlessly searching for his lost child.

The Legend of Spearfinger

But what took his daughter? Was she only lost in the woods, or something more ominous. Some stories claim that it was Spearfinger, a fearsome figure in Cherokee legend who took her. She is a monstrous being known for her stone-like skin and a long, razor-sharp finger made of obsidian, which she uses to cut out and consume the livers of her victims. 

Disguising herself as an old woman, Spearfinger would prey on unsuspecting children, luring them with her seemingly benign appearance before revealing her true, terrifying form. Then she would kill them and eat their liver. 

Read the whole story about The Cherokee Legend of Spearfinger in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Haunting of the Farmer on Norton Creek Trail

Those who have encountered the spectral light on Norton Creek Trail describe it as a beacon of hope in an otherwise foreboding landscape and the ghost of the farmer is said to lead people back on their path. 

If you find yourself lost or in need of guidance, the farmer’s ghostly lantern is said to lead you back to safety, guiding you to the trailhead where you can return to the world of the living. The light flickers and moves with an uncanny intelligence, as if driven by the farmer’s undying hope and paternal love.

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References:

The Scariest Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains 

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The Ghostly Legend of the Royal Calcutta Turf Club

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In the misty mornings on Saturday, some talk about seeing the ghost of one of the former horses of the The Royal Calcutta Turf Club, still racing, long after losing the title of being the Queen of Track. 

The club is a horse racing organization founded back during the British Raj in 1847. It became the forefront runner for all horses racing on the subcontinent that decided the rules of the game as well as hosting polo matches. The races at Royal Calcutta Turf Club were seen as the most important events to socialize and always opened by the Viceroy of India. 

Read more: Check out all of the ghost stories from India

Today, the Royal Calcutta Turf Club is still in operation as a private club and holds races in Kolkata Race Course in Maidan with most races held on Saturdays. 

The Ghost Haunting the Royal Calcutta Turf Club

Legend has it that within the grounds of the Turf Club, there is a ghost roaming the old tracks. The ghost is not human though, but rather a white horse that was once known as the Queen of Tracks. 

The tale traces back to the heyday of George Williams in the 1930s when there were high stakes and a lot of money to be made at the races at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club.

The Royal Calcutta Turf Club: Royal Calcutta Turf Club Race Stands on Viceroy’s Cup Day in 1910.// Wikimedia

Williams was a man consumed by an insatiable passion for horse racing. Williams, a regular patron of the Turf Club and owner of several horses, was known for his prized possession: a magnificent white stallion named Pride. Or was Pride really a stallion, sources varies, calling the horse she as well at times. 

Pride was no ordinary horse; he was a symbol of Williams’ glory days at the racetrack, winning him race after race with unmatched speed and grace. According to the legend, Williams loved his horse more than anything, including his own family and spent all of his time in the stables.

Read Also: For more horse hauntings, check out The Haunted Château de Commarque

However, as time wore on, Pride’s once-mighty strides faltered, and he began to show signs of age and weakness. Despite his diminishing prowess, Williams remained fiercely loyal to his equine companion, refusing to retire him from the track. It is said that in the final match of the Annual Calcutta Derby, the horse lost and Williams also lost a fortune that day.

Tragedy struck one fateful day when Pride was discovered lifeless on the racecourse. According to the story, the horse was found with bullet wounds in the head and it was believed that Williams had killed the horse as it was no longer winning races, as the tradition was. Some even said the horse was killed in drunken frustration by Williams when he lost his money.  

Sir William’s White Horse Haunting the Track

It was not the last race for Pride though if we are to believe the stories. Locals whispered of seeing a ghostly apparition – a glowing white horse – galloping across the racecourse on moonlit Saturday nights, its ethereal presence a haunting reminder of Pride’s untimely demise.

The locals know of this spirit as “William Saheb er Sada Ghora” – or “Sir William’s white horse.”

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References:

A Spooky Walk through Calcutta… – The Write Space 

Royal Calcutta Turf Club – Wikipedia

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Lake Crescent and the Lady of the Lake Haunting it

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The Lady of the Lake said to haunt the Lake Crescent in Olympic National Park. The ghost said to linger in the water is said to be the spirit of Hallie Latham Illingworth, who was murdered and dumped at the bottom of the lake.

Within the mist-shrouded landscapes of Olympic National Park in Washington lies Crescent Lake, a serene body of water with a haunting secret that transcends its natural beauty. The spectral narrative of the Lady in the Lake, rooted in a tragic tale from a horrible murder that was left floating and unsolved until the lake itself revealed it, casts an eerie spell over this enchanting wilderness.

Lake Crescent: The lake in the Olympic National Park is said to be haunted by a ghost they call the Lady of the Lake. // Source: Dave Lichterman/Flickr

Lake Crescent

The 12 mile long lake on the northwestern part of the park is said to be a stunning destination, but with haunted depths. There are many mysteries about the dark waters of the lake, often thought to be 1000 ft in popular belief. Some of them have been cleared up, like the true depth is actually 596 feet. 

The tales about Lake Crescent are old, like when the Klallam Tribes 10 000 year old oral story told about how they were fighting against the Quileute people and the Mount Storm Mountain got angry and threw a boulder at them to stop their fighting, splitting the valley in two, forming both Lake Southerland and Lake Crescent.

Read More: Check out all of our ghost stories from Haunted Lakes

According to legend, the lake never gave up on those that died back then and ever since, and for many generations the natives didn’t want to go near the lake. Although there actually is some truth to the story, there really was an earthquake at the time of battle that split the valley, is there also some truth to the legend about the lake holding on to its dead?

In 1929 a couple driving along the lake went missing and the case remained a mystery for decades. That was until 2002 when they found their 1927 Chevrolet under the surface of the lake. Although still, no bodies have shown up. 

But the most famous story is about the Lady of the Lake and the stories behind the true mystery of Hallie Latham Illingworth, the dead the lake gave back. 

The Death of Hallie Latham Illingworth

Hallie Latham Illingworth: Thought to be the spirit haunting Lake Crescent.

In 1937, the Lake Crescent Lodge and Tavern was a gathering place for those seeking respite amid the park’s breathtaking lakes. It was here that Hallie Latham Illingworth, a beloved waitress, lived and worked. Originally from Kentucky, she had found herself ensnared in the tumultuous web of her marriage to Mr. Monty Illingworth, a beer truck driver. Her latest of her three marriages. 

Unlucky in love, she had moved in search of a better life, but only found her early end of it. Both heavy drinkers, they often fought and the fights often ended violently. She would often show up to work with bruises, broken teeth and told her coworkers about how he choked her. 

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On December 22, 1937, Hallie at the age of 35 mysteriously vanished, just five months after they had married. Mr. Illingworth, quick to deflect blame, asserted that she had eloped with another man, a sailor from Alaska. 

Three long years passed before the secrets hidden beneath Crescent Lake surfaced. Monty had already gone to Long Beach in California with his new wife, whom he married the year after. She was the former roommates of Hallies sister and it was said they had gotten together before she disappeared. 

Lake Crescent Lodge: The place where Hallie Latham Illingworth used to work and also thought to be haunted by her ghost.

The Soap Corpse in Lake Crescent

But Hallie had not disappeared, not forever. She was dead, and closer than anyone had thought. In 1940, the lifeless body of Hallie Illingworth washed ashore in the near freezing water temperatures and was discovered by two fishermen.

Investigations showed how she had been tied to rocks before being dropped in the lake rolled up in a blanket. But as the ropes decomposed, her body floated up to the surface. 

There were several strange things about this case, least of all how her body and particularly her waxy and soapy skin had been preserved all these years although her features had faded. This almost perfectly preserved body because of the cold waters and minerals of salt and calcium in the water known as saponification or Ivory soap even showed evidence of being beaten and strangled. 

Her name was not identified until 14 months after the discovery as there were more than one woman gone missing in these parts the last few years and the public named her corpse the Lady of the Lake.

Her estranged husband, now implicated in her murder, faced arrest and charges that would forever tie his name to this tragic episode. He served nine years in prison for this until he was paroled in 1951.

Despite the legal resolution, the ethereal presence of Hallie’s spirit lingers along the tranquil shores of Crescent Lake. Park rangers and intrepid guests have reported eerie sightings—a ghostly figure of a woman, clad in a bygone era attire, her green dress from when she went missing and found, meandering along the water’s edge. The mournful cries that echo through the stillness of the night speak to the anguish of a life cut short and a love lost to the shadows.

The Ghost of Lake Crescent

As the Lady in the Lake, Hallie Illingworth’s ghostly apparition continues to wander the edge of Crescent Lake, a silent testament to the enduring power of tragedy and the spectral threads that bind the past to the present in Olympic National Park. It is also said she is seen gliding over the surface of the water.

Some even claim to have seen the ghost of Monty rowing over the lake to drop Hallie’s body into the water. 

It is also said her ghost is still haunting the Lake Crescent Lodge and Tavern where she used to work. Guests and staff tell about how they hear her walking up and down the stairs and that lights flicker, doors bang shut and the music turns on louder and louder. 

Some have even claimed to have seen her sit down on a table as she is smoking, perhaps even speaking to them. 

The Mysteries of Lake Crescent

The story of the Lady of the Lake is still told on the campsites of hikers taking the Spruce Railroad Trail around Lake Crescent. 

An underground stream is running between Lake Crescent and Lake Sutherland, and it has never really been explored. Some experts believe that the stream is hiding bodies of more missing people, but until then, the lake keeps it people. 

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References:

The Lady of the Lake – Hallie Illingworth • Morbidology 

Spooky National Park Experiences this Halloween 

12 Haunted National Parks | Shaka Guide 

The Hidden History of Olympic National Park’s Lake Crescent – THE OUTDOOR SOCIETY 

The Lady of Crescent Lake | It never gave up its dead until… 

True Crime: The Lady of the Lake – HistoryLink.org

The Lady of the Lake: A ghost story 

https://seeksghosts.blogspot.com/2014/07/washington-state-lady-of-lake.html