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The Haunted Legends of Grand Paradi Towers in Mumbai

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The Grand Paradi Towers, a high-rise apartment tower in Mumbai are said to be haunted, possible haunted because of the string of suicides that happened, making people wondering… why? Could it have been something paranormal that made them do it?

Standing tall amidst the bustling cityscape of South Mumbai, the financial hub of India, the Grand Paradi Towers, three residential high-riser built in 1975 at Kemps Corner, has long been associated with luxury and opulence. 

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

Initially home to some of the city’s wealthiest residents, the 28-storey building, once one of Mumbai’s most expensive, now carries the weight of a far darker reputation. Over the years, it has become infamous as one of the most haunted sites in India where the rumor is that a ghost compels its residents to jump to their death.

The Grand Paradi Towers: The luxury apartments are now believed to be one of Mumbai’s most haunted.

A History of Affluence and Tragedy

When Grand Paradi Towers was constructed, it was the epitome of high-end living, attracting the elite of Mumbai. They were diamond merchants, businessmen and Bollywood stars. However, this image of prosperity began to crumble in the late 1990s. 

It seems like it started with the suicide of an elderly couple living in the high risers. Soon, their son and daughter-in-law followed the same tragic fate.

Starting in 1998, the towers became notorious for a series of inexplicable suicides that have since cast a long, eerie shadow over its corridors. More than 20 residents have met their untimely deaths by leaping from the building’s heights, and tragically, the victims have included not only adults but also maids and children.

Exactly what is happening inside of the apartments of this affluent high risers?

The Curse of the Eighth Floor

The spate of suicides has led many to believe that the building is cursed, with particular notoriety attached to the eighth floor in the B wing. This floor has witnessed some of the most distressing incidents, including the deaths of three generations of a single family who all jumped to their deaths. The pattern of these tragic events has given rise to the belief that an evil presence or malevolent spirit compels residents to take their own lives.

Locals and residents have reported an unsettling atmosphere on the eighth floor. Stories abound of strange occurrences, such as disembodied whispers, cold spots, and an oppressive feeling of dread that descends upon anyone who lingers too long. The inexplicable nature of these suicides has led to rampant speculation about paranormal influences, with many convinced that an unseen force drives people to their demise.

Paranormal Activities and Unseen Entities

Visitors and paranormal enthusiasts who have ventured into Grand Paradi Towers often recount eerie experiences. Flickering lights, sudden gusts of cold wind, and the sensation of being watched are commonly reported phenomena. 

Some claim to have seen shadowy figures moving in the periphery of their vision, only to vanish when directly observed. The most chilling accounts come from those who have felt an invisible force pushing or pulling them towards the edges of the balconies, evoking a visceral fear of an imminent fall and a chilling voice egging them to kill themselves.

The Victims of the Suicides

But could it be something else than paranormal activity driving the residents to take their own life? 

In the case of the elderly couple, Vasadeo and Tara Dalal on June 14th in 1998, the police found a letter, detailing how they claimed their son and daughter in law harassed them to death. Seven years later, when the verdict of the court case was raised against the son and daughter-in-law, they chose the same fate and so did their 19-year-old daughter. They lived on the eighth floor and the haunted rumors started to circulate after this, especially it being connected to the eighth floor. It is said that after this, they sealed the apartment in question. If that is still the case today though, is unknown. 

The 24 year old Charisma Kadakia who jumped in 2000, it was said she was depressed, although her boyfriend claimed he had no idea about her plans. 

With the case of the housemaid, it is unclear if she actually jumped or fell out of the window. There was also another domestic help that threatened to jump from the 19th floor after his employers accused him of stealing.

A Place of Unease and Avoidance

Today, despite its prime location and luxurious facade, Grand Paradi Towers is avoided by many who fear its haunted reputation. The once-coveted address has seen a decline in desirability, with prospective buyers and tenants often deterred by the building’s dark history. 

Another thing worth noting, is the proximity to the mysterious Mumbai’s Tower of Silence in the forest just behind the towers. Stories tell that back when the suicide happened, you could still see the vultures circling over the parsi burial place, giving the place an eerie feeling.

At one point the committee organized counselling sessions for its residents in an attempt to curb the dangerous trend. Rumors ran rampant about the reason for the strange things happening in the towers. Had they in fact built the apartments on top of a burial ground?

The owners even got carried away with the haunted rumors and ordered a puja and a havan. It is said that since then, the activity has stopped.

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References:

The jinx of Grand Paradi | Latest News India – Hindustan Times 

Grand Paradi Towers – Wikipedia 

India’s Most Haunted: Grand Paradi Towers in Mumbai | India.com 

https://hauntedplacesinindia.weebly.com/grand-paradi-towers.html

The spooky story of these haunted towers in the heart of Mumbai 

Haunted India: Grand Paradi Towers, Malabar Hill, Mumbai

The Goan Haunting and Tragedy of Calvim Bridge in Aldona

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After a terrible and deadly accident on the ferry crossing in Aldona, they decided to build the Calvim Bridge to connect to the mainland. But after the bridge was built, the reports about the place being haunted started to come in. 

Stretching over to the village of Aldona, Goa, the Calvim Bridge stands as a somber reminder of a tragic incident that continues to haunt the local community. In February 2012, an unexpected calamity struck this otherwise peaceful locale, leading to the death of seven individuals, including four young students. 

Before the bridge was built, there was a ferry crossing from Aldona-Calvim. A mini-bus on the Aldona side with six or seven passengers who died, three or four of them being school girls on their way home to their island.

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Four students of the St Thomas Girls’ High School at Aldona—cousins Diana (8) and Elvina (11) Dias, Priyal Salgaonkar (10) and Nagel Gracias—were killed, with two women and a man. The driver and the conductor managed to swim to land and fled the scene.

Deccan Herald

The exact details of the incident remain shrouded in sorrow and confusion, but the loss of life was profound and deeply felt by the community. 

After this, the locals made a huge effort to get the bridge built and a decade after asking for it and many deaths later, they did. But according to local lore, the newly built bridge is anything but peaceful.

The Haunting by the Calvim Bridge

As night falls and the dark hours envelop the village, those who dare to venture near the Calvim Bridge report experiencing a range of unsettling sensations and supernatural occurrences at night. 

One of the most commonly reported phenomena at Calvim Bridge is the eerie sound of voices carried on the wind of the drowned passengers. These sounds often appear to come from the water below or from the bridge itself, adding to the unsettling ambiance. The voices are sometimes accompanied by the chilling sensation of being watched, an invisible presence lingering in the shadows.

Another frequently recounted experience is the sighting of ghostly apparitions near the bridge. Some have reported seeing shadowy figures that resemble young students. These apparitions are often seen near the spot where the tragedy occurred, their ethereal presence a stark reminder of the lives cut short. 

Calvim Bridge: The thing that would hinder further accidents like in 1012, but are now said to be haunted. // Source: Wikimedia

The Haunting Remembrance

Over the years there have been several instances of light missing on the bridge, creating a dangerous atmosphere and potential accidents. It has also become a popular place for younger people to party and drink, further fueled the haunted rumors that lingers over the bridge. 

Although the bridge has gotten a lot of attention in the later years because of its rumor as a haunted place, the locals still remember the horrible accident as a terrible tragedy, still lingering every time they pass over the bridge. 

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References:

Calvim – Wikipedia 

The Goan EveryDay: Finally, six deaths later, a bridge over Calvim 

Calvem bridge Goa….(haunted!!) — Steemit 

14 Most Haunted Places In Goa 2023 & Associated Ghost Stories!

Goa most horror places – mancity29096 

Darkness turns Calvim Bridge into den

The Haunting of Char Khambe Four Pillars in Goa

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Four white pillars known as Char Khambe on the road in St. Cruz in Goa are said to be haunted. Strange things seems to happen to cars passing them, and some even go as far as claiming they are cursed.

On the Old Santa Cruz-Panjim road, now known as Vasantrao Dempo Marg, stands four white pillars known as Char Khambe, forlorn and forgotten among the paddy fields of St Cruz. These seemingly innocuous structures, shrouded in mystery and a palpable sense of dread, have earned a notorious reputation as one of the most haunted sites in Goa.

Read more: Check out all ghost stories from India

The four pillars of whitewashed minaret style obelisks were built in 1896 to commemorate a Portuguese prince to the Goa colony. The prince was the son of the duke of Porto, Afonso de Bragança. It also marked a line into the city from where you were not allowed to go bare chested, and where all the kashti clothed farmers changed into something else.

The Cursed Pillars

The history behind Char Khambe is murky, with various accounts attempting to explain the haunting. Some suggest that the pillars mark the site of a tragic event or an unmarked burial ground, giving rise to restless spirits. 

Others believe that the pillars themselves are cursed, perhaps due to rituals or dark practices that imbued the area with a lasting malevolent energy. 

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

One of the most common and unsettling phenomena reported at Char Khambe is the sudden and mysterious breakdown of vehicles, particularly motorcycles. Many bikers have found themselves stranded near the pillars, their engines inexplicably stalling and refusing to restart. The darkness and isolation only heighten the sense of vulnerability, as attempts to fix the vehicles often prove futile until daylight breaks. This recurring issue has led to the widespread belief that the area is under a malevolent influence, deterring those who might otherwise travel this route at night.

It is also worth noting that there are several reports about cars ramming into the pillars as well. Something cursed going on here, or what’s going to happen when pillars are placed on the road. 

Ghostly Figures around the Pillars

Adding to the ominous atmosphere are the frequent reports of apparitions and ghostly figures appearing around the pillars. Witnesses describe seeing shadowy forms that seem to materialize out of nowhere, only to vanish just as quickly as well as strange cries in the night can be heard.

On full moon nights, the sightings become more vivid and numerous, with some claiming to see full-bodied apparitions dressed in antiquated attire, wandering silently between the pillars.

There are also stories about seeing a woman in a white saree asking passing cars for a lift, as many of the other haunted road stories in India tells about. 

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References:

St. Cruz, Goa – Wikipedia 

Four silent sentinels of St Cruz | Goa News – Times of India

The Haunted Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station in Kolkata

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On the rails of Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station in Kolkata people claim to have seen and heard ghosts from the departed both on the platform as well as in the tunnels. Who can be haunting the station otherwise known as ‘Paradise of Suicide’?

The Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station (রবীন্দ্র সরোবর) in Kolkata known as the city of joy, holds a chilling reputation as one of the most haunted places in the city. Along Kolkata’s bustling metro line 1, this station, found on Shyama Prasad Mukherjee road, derives its name from the nearby Rabindra Sarobar, an artificial lake. Yet, behind its mundane facade lies a sinister reputation earned from the tragedies that have unfolded within its confines. 

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

The underground station built in 1986 has earned the grim nickname of the “Paradise of Suicides” due to the alarming number of individuals who have taken their own lives by leaping onto the tracks over the last couple of decades. Shockingly, it’s estimated that a staggering 70 to 80% of the metro’s suicides occur at this particular station, casting a shadow of despair over the station.

Supernatural Encounters on the Rail

Adding to the eerie atmosphere are the numerous accounts of supernatural encounters reported by commuters and station staff alike. Many claim to have felt an otherworldly presence lingering in the air, with sightings of ghostly apparitions and inexplicable shadows haunting the station’s platforms. Distorted figures have been spotted moving aimlessly before vanishing into thin air, believed to be the tormented souls of those who met their end in tragic circumstances. 

Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station: This station on the underground in Kolkata is said to be the most haunted station in the city and many stories from passengers and drivers talk about their paranormal experiences.// Source

Commuters passing through Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station have recounted hearing unsettling cries and moans, echoing through the deserted station late at night, while others have described witnessing ghostly movements inside the trains themselves, especially on the last train for the night.

Ghost Wandering the  Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station

One of the many stories about strange things happening at the station was shared online about a guy that saw a good looking man on the station. The man approached him and asked him to take his picture, but vanished into thin air. 

Read More: For more ghost stories from haunted subway stations around the world, check out Take the Haunted Subway in Beijing and The Ghost Suicide at the Yau Ma Tei Station.

When the guy asked around, there was an older man that told him about a young man that wanted to become a model, but his parents tried to pressure him to become a doctor instead. He committed suicide at the station and now his soul is haunting it, trying to make people to take his photo. This story was originally posted on Instagram, and many people in the comments shared similar experiences. 

The Metro Drivers and Ghosts

Even metro drivers and station attendants have attested to these eerie occurrences, with sightings of ghostly figures and footless apparitions causing delays and disruptions to train services at Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station. 

From an article back from 2015, a driver talked about when he recently had to stop the train when he was crossing Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station. According to him, he had seen someone inside a tunnel, but on closer inspection, there was nothing there. Was it a ghost? Perhaps access to the tunnels is too easy for the living? Either way, the ghost stories are whispered. 

The Haunted Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station

As the clock strikes 10:24, the station falls silent, devoid of any living soul daring to linger amidst the spectral entities that are said to roam its empty corridors. Local residents steer clear of the area after dark, wary of the chilling tales that have woven a web of fear around the haunted Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station. Though these ghostly figures are said to have never harmed anyone, their presence alone is enough to send shivers down the spines of those who dare to tread near this eerie locale.

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References:

https://www.telegraphindia.com/opinion/the-other-side-of-reason/cid/1440430

Rabindra Sarobar Metro Station: Every Passenger Horrified by Distorted Shadows & Moving Figures! 

What’s with these haunted stories from Ravindra Sarovar Metro? : r/kolkata 

The Haunting of the Rodrigues Home in Goa

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A mysterious haunted house known as the Rodrigues Home in Verna, Goa is supposedly left from colonial times. Although looking like any other house, it is said to have ghost lingering. 

In the Salcete village of Verna, about 10 kilometers north of Margao, stands the Rodrigues Home according to local lore. This old mansion from colonial times during Portuguese rule, though outwardly a charming and beautiful retreat often called normal looking, harbors a dark and chilling secret.

Locals whisper of the spirits of the Rodrigues family who are said to haunt the premises, making it one of the most infamous haunted locations in Goa, although its exact whereabouts and details of its story are scarce. 

Read more: Check out all ghost stories from India

For generations, locals have recounted stories of strange and inexplicable occurrences within the house, attributing them to the restless spirits of the Rodrigues family who still own the mansion according to most sources.

Haunted Rumors from Verna

So what is it about this manor house that looks seemingly fine when seen by the naked eye? Visitors and passersby have reported a series of unsettling phenomena that seem to defy rational explanation. 

One of the strange things often reported is the flickering lights, as if unseen hands are playing with the electrical switches. There is also reported about sudden and unexplained opening and closing of doors and windows.

Perhaps the most disconcerting of all are the accounts of cutlery moving on its own, clattering unnervingly in the empty dining room. The linens in the house have also mysteriously disappeared and then reappeared without anyone having had access to the premise.

The Ghost of the Rodrigues Home

But who is haunting this alleged haunted house? A member from the Rodrigues family is an obvious culprit, but seeing how common the last name is and the missing specific details of the ghost story, it is difficult to pinpoint who and what Rodrigues family we are even referring to. 

Local legends speak of the tragic history of a Rodrigues family though, whose untimely deaths are believed to be the source of the haunting. It is said that the family met with a series of misfortunes, each more devastating than the last. The exact nature of these misfortunes varies with each telling, but the common thread is a sense of unresolved sorrow and lingering attachment to the family home.

The Missing House

From whom and when did these haunted rumors start though? The first mentions of it online seems to be articles from 2012, claiming the unspecified house is haunted, and still used as a family home. Various of other sources later claim the house has become abandoned. Who really knows at this point. As with many of the other haunted houses in Goa, India, the details of their whereabouts are vague with a lot of hearsay.

But for now, who really knows what the truth is, and what really lurks inside the home of this mysterious manor house. 

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References:

https://www.thegoan.net/The-Great-Goan-Weekend/Rec-Room/Jeepers-Creepers/01651.html?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAAR3PgaB1l9APAB1vqUHHmzHKWGBQ6SxLkZRgvGRjBdt0igVO5Jk8ZPsjn0Q_aem_AToATUWfntYlaC0UoOigRMVyltjDphEcdeNBmGUZpcHKmOQwSvVaaXgLIhWh6n3_MWQBNGPqV_IuI1SR4AFhpS_I

Avoid These Haunted Places in Goa That Can Give You The Chills 

The Rodrigues Home – Wikipedia

The Haunted South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata

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The old Christian cemetery sits as a Gothic reminder from colonial times. Over the years, the South Park Street Cemetery has been reclaimed by weather and time, and rumors of it being haunted sits as a veil over the place. 

Tucked away amidst the vibrant streets of Kolkata lies the South Park Street Cemetery, a hidden gem shrouded in history, mystery, and rumors of the supernatural in the street now known for pubs and food. 

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

This old burial ground, formerly known as the ‘Great Christian Burial Ground,’ is not only one of the earliest non-church cemeteries in the world but also a place of rest for British soldiers, administrators, and noteworthy individuals like Henry Louis Vivian Derozio and Sir William Jones. It also has a lot of young people resting here as they succumbed to tropical diseases they didn’t survive. 

South Park Street Cemetery: The Christian burial ground in Kolkata, India is said to be haunted and that strange things are happening there.// Source

Historical Insights of the Cemetery

The origins of this hauntingly beautiful cemetery trace back to 1767 when it was established, and a new road leading to it, known as the Burial Ground Road, was built with over 1600 tombs today over 8 acres. 

Gothic Cemetery: The cemetery is filled with Gothic styled graves from the time India was a British Colony.// Source

The gothic cemetery and road were later renamed Park Street in honor of a private deer park founded by Sir Elijah Impey. By 1785, the burial ground had extended northward of Park Street. While a plaque at the cemetery gate claims it was opened in 1767 and closed in 1790, burials continued into the 1830s until a new cemetery was established east of the Lower Circular Road.

Read more: Check out more ghost stories from cemeteries around the world

After India gained independence, funding for colonial civil cemeteries was withdrawn, leading to a decision to level the Park Street cemeteries. This move faced opposition from the Anglo-Indian community in Calcutta. In 1953, the North Park Street Cemetery was slated for demolition, and the income generated by leasing the land was intended to maintain the South Park Street Cemetery. In the late 1970s, the cemetery came under the care of the Association for the Preservation of Historical Cemeteries in India (APHCI) and the Christian Burial Board.

In 1984, an attempt to demolish the cemetery for an arts center was halted by a Calcutta High Court intervention, but significant damage had already occurred, with the grave of Charles Stuart being destroyed and later restored. The restoration project initiated in the early 2000s aimed to conserve the cemetery’s heritage and prevent further deterioration.

The Haunting of South Park Street Cemetery

This Gothic cemetery, which was laid to rest itself in the 18th century, now serves as a mysterious and intriguing destination for the living. Thousands visit each year, many of whom believe the cemetery is haunted. In fact, it has earned the title of the most haunted place in Kolkata, attracting dark tourism enthusiasts.

There are some strange graves though. Like with the pyramid shaped tombstone that is called the bleeding tomb as it is said it oozes what looks like blood during monsoons. It belongs to a whole family called Dennison who died within a couple of weeks, although the reason is not said. 

Haunted Cemetery: The Cemetery is slowly getting overgrown and the haunted legends around the South Park Cemetery are growing with it.// Source

Although said to be one of the most haunted, not many specific details are mentioned in the ghost stories from the cemetery, not even specific graves. Nonetheless there are common threads that people claim are happening. 

Many claim to have experienced dizziness and seen strange visions after visiting the cemetery. Cameras have gotten strange things in their pictures that some claim must be ghosts or some other sort of paranormal thing. Worst of all is perhaps even the healthiest people have claimed to have experienced breathing problems. 

Whether it is true that something paranormal is happening at the cemetery or visitors just get caught up in the gothic vibe of it is left unanswered.

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References:

South Park Street Cemetery – Wikipedia 

Is South Park Street Cemetery Really Haunted? A Mysterious Abandoned Graveyard In Kolkata! 

India’s Most Haunted: South Park Street Cemetery in Kolkata 

City of Forgotten Souls

The Haunted Seminary Arch and the Mystical Village of Rachol in Goa

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Leading into the Rachol Village Seminary, the Seminary Arch from the ruined fort is still standing. So is the ghost of a lonesome soldier from Portuguese rule as well if we are to believe the stories. It is said he is still guarding the village, only letting them he deems worthy to enter. 

Perched on the scenic banks of the winding tidal Zuari River leading out into the Arabian Sea, the village of Rachol in Goa is a captivating blend of natural beauty and historical intrigue. Yet, beneath its tranquil facade lies a chilling tale that has earned Rachol a reputation as one of Goa’s most haunted locations. 

Read more: Check out all ghost stories from India

The Salcete village also known as Raiturais is said to be protected by the ghost of a soldier from the Portuguese colonial era, a spectral sentinel who guards its entrance and keeps watch over its inhabitants said to linger under the Seminary Arch.

Rachol Seminary Arch

The Seminary Arch on Fr. Angelo Road is a significant historical monument, emblematic of Rachol’s rich past from when it was under the leadership of the Jesuits. It leads to the Rachol Seminary, one of the oldest and most prestigious theological institutes in Goa. It used to be connected to Rachol Fort, now only ruins remain of it. The Portuguese abandoned the fort, but the ghosts did not according to the stories.

The famous seminary, established by the Portuguese in the early 17th century, has educated countless clergymen and scholars over the centuries. 

The Seminary Arch: A lonesome soldier is still guarding the Rachol seminary arch. //Source: Wikimedia

The Soldier Haunting the Seminary Arch

According to local lore, the spirit of the soldier is often seen near this arch, meticulously dressed in his military attire. This ghostly figure is believed to patrol the area, ensuring that only those deemed worthy are allowed to enter the sacred grounds of Rachol. Who is worthy enough for this ghost though?

Read more: Check out The Redshirt Soldier in Biennale Gardens, The Haunted Observation Post Rock in War Torn Afghanistan and The Soldier Ghosts Haunting the Iconic Château de Chambord for ghost stories about soldiers still at their posts after their death. 

The origins of the haunting date back to the time when Goa was under Portuguese rule, so the ghosts are said to be centuries old. The soldier, whose name has been lost to history, is said to have been a fierce and loyal protector of the village. 

Locals recount numerous stories of strange occurrences and sightings, particularly around the Seminary Arch. It is also said that sightings of this ghost are said to happen around festivals and dates that are important for Portuguese culture, although exact dates are rarely mentioned.

Visitors and residents alike have reported witnessing the spectral soldier donning his uniform and performing his nightly patrol. Some have felt an inexplicable chill when passing under the arch, while others have heard the faint sound of footsteps and the clinking of armor. 

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Cristalina’s Haunted Banyan Tree in Saligao Village

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In the quaint Saligao Village in Goa, there is a Banyan Tree by the road. According to legend, the tree is haunted by the ghost of Cristalina, waiting for those passing by to possess. 

One Sunday morning in January in 1953, the villagers of Saligao in Goa, India, sat waiting on the priest leading the mass. 

The missionary Padre Inácio Lourenço Pereira had come to this quaint little village from Portugal in 1951 to be the supervisor when the Saligao-Pilerne Seminary went under construction in 1952. The Saligao village is around 15 kilometers outside of Panaji known for its beautiful churches. 

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Pereira was at least said to have gone missing under mysterious circumstances on a Saturday night in January, 1953 when he went for a walk down the Seminary road that took him past the banyan tree at night. 

This particular banyan tree in Saligao Village with its deep roots casting long shadows was known to be haunted though, by a woman named Cristalina, and avoided by the locals. But did Pereira know this as he used to walk past it to get to church?

He didn’t return that night and didn’t show up for mass the next morning. When Pereira was eventually found by some workers the next morning, it was under this banyan tree where he lay unconscious. When his helping hand, Frank and the other workers that looked for him found him, he laid flat on the ground, his face buried in the mud.

Pereira was in a state of shock when he finally woke up, covered in scratches and wounds, unable to recall the full details of his ordeal. 

The locals of Saligao Village took him to a doctor, or at least his house, but he didn’t speak for four days. They even brought a priest to take care of him and Frank and the other workers attached a cross in one of the Banyan Trees branches. 

When he first started to speak, it was said it was in a female voice and in Konkani, one of the Indian languages spoken along the western coast of India. One of the things he repeated over and over again, was the name, Cristalina.

After the whole ordeal he was admitted to a hospital and then sent back to Leiria in Portugal in 1953. He never returned to Saligao Village or Goa, but his legend certainly remained there. 

Cristalina Haunting the Banyan Tree

For over sixty years, her spectral presence has been associated with a particular banyan tree in the Saligao Village. It is said that still to this day, people are avoiding walking past this tree after dark, as it is said that Cristalina can possess you, as she once did.

From testimonies from locals, it looks like the banyan tree was already rumored to be haunted by the ghost of Cristalina before the possession of the priest. But how much of it actually happened, and how much of it was gossip and fear mongering from the locals?

Who actually was Cristalina? One of the most told versions of the Banyan tree is that she hanged herself from it. But no further details about who she might be has been found. 

Further Haunting of Cristalina’s Banyan Tree

It was especially when the horizontal part of the cross went missing from the branches in the tree that the legend resurfaced and breathed new wind into it as something more than a one time haunting. Ever since then it has become a local legend in Saligao Village.

There have also been talks about the tree glowing in the dark, and the tree itself has been the case of scientific studies. What really happened to it? According to the scholars, they claimed the lights were from carts of petromax lights that were parked near the tree. 

Banyan Tree and why they are Haunted

But what about the tree found in Saligao Village? How come so many ghost stories are connected to the majestic looking Banyan Trees as well as Peepal Trees in India?

For one, they have spiritual connection with mythology, both Hindu and Buddhist, and are seen as sort of divine places. There are also many legends attached to the old trees with its twisting branches, often found in secluded areas                 

One popular legend is that you are not supposed to sit under one of these trees at night because ghosts and other supernatural things live there. 

Read Also: Check out Ghostly Shadows by Dwarka Sector 9 Metro Station and the Haunted Peepal Tree for more haunted trees. 

It is also worth noting the scientific reason for the spiritual things that are said to happen when staying at one of these trees at night and that it can be explained by simple biology. During the day the tree absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen because of the sun. During night however, it releases the carbon dioxide that lowers the levels of oxygen human needs to breathe.

This process can feel suffocating, lead to hallucinations, and in worst case scenarios, even death. Could this be the reason why there are so many stories connected to seeing ghosts, hearing voices and even reaching some sort of enlightenment? Could this have a connection to what happened to Padre Inácio Lourenço Pereira?

The Haunted Saligao Village

The eerie tales of Saligao Village have made it a point of interest for paranormal enthusiasts and curious tourists. Despite the fearsome stories, the Saligao Village remains a beautiful example of Goan heritage, with its well-preserved churches and traditional houses. 

The Cristalina Banyan Tree: The haunted tree in the Saligao Village is now a very known landmark. // Photo by Frederick Noronha (FN)

Visitors to Saligao often report strange occurrences near the banyan tree. Some have felt an inexplicable chill in the air, while others have heard whispers and seen fleeting shadows. 

The locals practicing both various Hindi and Christian rituals have tried to appease the ghost of Cristalina by having built a small altar where they offer gifts to her. According to the Hindu villagers living close to this haunted tree, they call the spirit, Ximecho Devchar or Boundary Devil. 

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References:

[Goanet] The ‘haunting’ of Padre Lourenço 

https://creepysilencefy.blogspot.com/2017/01/old-saligao-village.html

Konkani language – Wikipedia 

Saligao christalina Tree – Spooky Goa

Ghost of the Dombivli Railway Station that wants to go Home

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Some of the busiest railway stations can also be the most dangerous. Dombivli Railway Station is said to be haunted by the people that tried to make it home, but never got off the tracks.

Dombivli Railway Station stands as both a vital transport hub and a chilling portal to the unknown according to the local legends. It is an old station and was built in 1886. Amidst the hustle and bustle of commuters and trains, whispers of paranormal activity linger like a haunting melody from the platforms.

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

Dombivli itself is a suburban city by the Ulhas river in Maharashtra outside of Mumbai where a lot of people are passing by. The station is also the busiest railway station on the Central line of the Mumbai Suburban Railway with five platforms and over 300 thousands of commuters daily. 

Death By Crossing the Tracks

Close by the bigger station in Dombivli you will find Kopar Rail Crossing—a seemingly innocuous intersection that belies its sinister reputation. According to local lore, this crossing has claimed the lives of many unfortunate souls. Before they built a bridge over the crossings, trespassing over the tracks claimed over hundreds of lives each year around the surrounding stations. 

Kopar Station is another stop in Dombivli city and the locals claim there is another paranormal reason for all of these deaths. According to some, there is an evil spirit around this place that lures people on the tracks. They say that they lose their consciousness and walk to the middle of the tracks without a reason to wait for the oncoming train.

Some say that the ghost is from one of these crossing incidents. Other variations say that she is waiting for the trail to arrive at the station. 

Deadly Crossing: The crossing over this train station is said to be very dangerous. Some say that the victims that were hit crossing the tracks are haunting the place. Some say that the place itself has a weird energy that draws people out on the tracks. // Source

The Crying Woman on the Platform

But back to the Dombivli Railway Station itself that are haunted by more than one ghost. There is one ghost story from this stop that are told more than the others:

One chilling account tells of a man on the trains late at night, who encountered a mysterious woman at the platform or crossing, depending on the different sources telling the story. Appearing to be in her forties or fifties in an office outfit, the woman was seen weeping inconsolably. When questioned about why she was crying and if she needed any help, she said she wanted to go home, but couldn’t.

The man returned to Dombivli Railway Station the next day with a friend, and saw the same woman crying. He tried to discuss it with his friend, but to his utter bewilderment, the friend couldn’t see the woman at all. 

The Haunting at Dombivli Railway Station

Commuters talk about not only the story about the crying woman on the platform at Dombivli Railway Station, but a sense of a strange energy seeming to stay on the overcrowded station. 

There are also said to be heard some strange and scary wailing that are echoing through the haunted station. When the haunted rumors really started circulating about Dombivli Railway Station is hard to pinpoint. The earliest sources online at least come from 2014 (at least the earlier English sources.)

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References:

https://hauntingindia.blogspot.com/2015/10/top-10-haunted-places-in-dombivli.html

Track accidents fail to curb trespassing at Kopar railway station | Mumbai news – Hindustan Times 

Dombivli – Wikipedia 

Calcutta High Court and the Ghost Seeking Justice

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The sound of anklets is heard throughout the old building of Calcutta High Court, thought to be the ghost of a woman who is still seeking justice in her afterlife. 

In Kolkata, lies the imposing edifice of Calcutta High Court in its red colored colonial architecture. While by day it’s suppose to serve as a symbol of justice and legal proceedings, by night, whispers abound of spectral apparitions and eerie phenomena that haunt its corridors. 

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

The building was built in 1872, ten years after the court itself was established. Calcutta High Court is the oldest high court in India. Among the most chilling tales is that of the ghosts of convicts, their restless spirits lingering within the court’s walls, the story about the ghost of the woman wearing anklets is looming larger than the rest.

Calcutta High Court: With its recognizable red building, the Calcutta High Court is thought to be haunted and is said to house more than one ghost. //Source: Wikimedia

The Headless Woman Haunting Calcutta High Court

Among these tormented spirits, none are more feared than the ghost of a convict who met her fate at the gallows. Legend has it that her execution was a spectacle witnessed by scores of onlookers. In death, her presence lingers, her restless spirit haunting the very courtroom where his fate was sealed.

Witnesses who venture into Calcutta High Court after dark speak of chilling encounters with the convict’s ghost. Most stories come from those that have worked at the court for years. Some claim to have heard his disembodied cries echoing through the empty corridors, while others swear they’ve seen his phantom form lurking in the shadows. 

Perhaps most notably is the sound of her steps, as you can hear the sound of her ankle bracelets as she walks down the corridors. When they see her though, they see that she is missing her head. 

There is one story told from two people that worked at the court, Manamohan and Vajahari Paitandi. It was a winter night and they were working later than the rest. Manamohan went to the toilet that was at the end of a long and dark corridor. That is when he heard the sound of the ankle bracelets. 

When Vajahari went to find his college, he found him lying on the floor. A woman was sitting beside him, trying to wake him by splashing water in his face. It was the headless ghost and she just disappeared when Vajahari came closer. He managed to wake him and together they ran out of the place.

The Prostitute Seeking Justice

Haunted Hallways: Several of the staff members claim to have seen the ghost of the headless woman haunting the halls. //Source: Wikimedia

But who was this woman who was haunting the halls without her head? If we are to believe the stories, she was a prostitute named Nistar Raut. She wanted to start fresh and remove her name from the registered sex workers. 

She had fallen in love with Shalikhram, a businessman dealing with diamonds and wanted to marry him. The judges of the court didn’t like this though, as she was a beautiful woman. They didn’t want to lose access to her and the men tried to talk her out of it. She refused though and they turned their eye on Shalikhram. 

He too refused to listen to them and one of her former clients, a very influential man, accused the couple for a robbery and he was arrested in 1881. 

What really happened after this is a bit of a mystery. The police found Nistar’s body after a few days in the garden of her lover with her head cut off. She wore nothing except for her ankle bracelets. 

After this, it is said that her ghost is still roaming the court that denied her the life that she wanted for herself. 

The Ghost Looking for Water

But the headless woman is not the only ghost said to haunt Calcutta High Court. From the eerie sound of rattling chains to inexplicable cold drafts that chill the air, countless reports of paranormal activity have fueled the court’s reputation as a hotbed of supernatural phenomena. 

Another ghost said to roam is the 19th century poet Tapis. He had protested against the British East India Company and the oppression the Indian people faced under colonial rule. He was imprisoned and denied water and food for a long time. 

He was eventually executed after a long time without anything to drink. After his death, the rumor about him haunting the court started to spread where they said that the ghost of Tapis was searching for water. 

The Haunted Room No. 11 at Calcutta High Court

The haunting is said to happen around the whole court, but is especially concentrated inside of a particular room. Room No. 11 has over the years seen many convicts receiving the death sentence. 

Both notorious criminals and Indian revolutionaries are said to have been walked through a secret tunnel below the room to court and there are many people that claim that something paranormal is happening both inside as well as outside of the room. 

Policemen on duty don’t want to be put on guard outside of Room 11, some claiming to have seen the ghosts of prisoners sitting on the benches outside and walking in the corridors. 

So, the next time you find yourself near Calcutta High Court after dusk falls and the city sleeps, tread carefully and listen closely—for you may just hear the whispers of the convicts’ ghosts, their tales of sorrow and despair echoing through the hallowed halls of justice.

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References:

Featured Image: Paul Hamilton/Wikimedia

Ghostbusters coming to Calcutta High Court to probe haunting spirits 

The Most Haunted Places To Avoid After Midnight In Kolkata 

The ghost who loved: Tinkle of anklets from the corridors of Calcutta High Court