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Convent of Jesus & Mary in Shimla and the Headless Horseman

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The prestigious girl school The Convent of Jesus & Mary, known as Chelsea, is also known for their ghost stories from students that died on the premises as well as a headless horseman after them, luring them away with a red rose on their pillows. 

Shimla, with its enchanting landscapes and colonial-era architecture, conceals a series of eerie stories within its picturesque hills. The Convent of Jesus and Mary, also called Chelsea, is a renowned prestigious school for girls in Navbahar where the royal families of Thailand, Nepal and high class families in India used to send their daughters. Although it harbors chilling tales that continue to haunt its premises. 

The CJM schools that Chelsea is a part of is a network of Roman Catholic schools that have spread all over the world, and so have its ghost stories. 

Convent of Jesus & Mary: The school in Shimla used to be a catholic boarding school for girls, and a legend about haunting from a headless horseman made its rounds around the students.//Source

The Convent of Jesus & Mary was founded by a French nun in 1864 called Marie Claudine Thevenet and was run by nuns, originally as an orphanage for the children of the British soldiers. In post colonial India the school of Convent of Jesus & Mary was re-branded as an elite educational institution. It used to be a boarding school as well, but as of 2000 it has just been a day school. 

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

While some may dismiss these stories as mere rumors, the spectral legends surrounding the Convent of Jesus & Mary have persisted over the years, adding an air of mystique to this educational institution.

The Legend of the Headless Horseman

During the Convent of Jesus & Mary’s time as a boarding school it was an international close knit community with little to no phones or internet with strong and old traditions with a lot of time to kill in the chilly Himalayan range. No wonder that many ghost stories were passed around at the school, although it is unsure exactly when these stories took shape. 

The Headless Horseman: The figure is found in folklore across Europe since the Middle Ages. Typically depicted as a rider on horseback missing his head, variations of the tale exist in different cultures. In Irish folklore, the dullahan is a demonic fairy who carries his head under his arm and causes death when he stops riding. Scottish tales involve headless horsemen haunting areas after being decapitated in battles. In Welsh folklore, headless horsemen are said to haunt locations until their bodies are found and buried. German folklore tells of revenant headless horsemen who wander until they atone for sins.//Image: The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane by John Quidor

One of the most told stories associated with the Convent of Jesus and Mary revolves around an ominous figure: the headless horseman that have traveled the world and times with its striking imagery. Stories about the Headless Horseman have been told since medieval times, and everyone got their own twist.

It is said that the spirit of the Headless Horseman haunting the Convent of Jesus & Mary, started out as a coachman that used to live close to the school. He was said to have been too interested in ladies, but he died in some sort of accident or was decapitated in a brawl. It is said that on fateful Fridays, specifically the 13th of the month, this spectral rider materializes on the school grounds.

Read Also: Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving, perhaps the most famous story coming from the folklore of the Headless Horseman.

It is said that when coming to the school, he offers one of the girls a rose. A trope found in many girl boarding school legends, including Convent of Jesus & Mary. In some versions The Headless Horseman gave it directly to her or the rose was left on the girl’s pillow and found when the girls got back from class.

What happens to the girls after being chosen depends solely on their choice. Those girls who accept the rose are led away by the sinister figure, never to be seen again, while those who dare to refuse meet a ghastly fate and are killed. 

The girls attending the school are wearing a red uniform and they are often referred to as Chelseaites and easy to spot. It is said that the fear of the headless horseman got so bad for a while that the girls covered their faces around the time leading up to a Friday the 13th. 

The Dormitory Fire Tragedy

Another haunting tale whispers of a devastating fire that engulfed the Convent of Jesus & Mary’s dormitory during the British colonial rule on April 29 in 1946, taking out a two-thirds of the school building. The present-day play area conceals a grim history, as it is believed to be the final resting place of the 10 year old girl who tragically perished in the flames. 

Ghostly apparitions are said to roam the playground, evoking the spirits of the past. Among these restless souls is a young girl, forever in search of her lost doll. She is not alone, as the spirits of other young women, taken by the headless horseman, are believed to linger in the shadows.

It is also believed to have been a fire that broke out when it was used for orphans, and the current building was built on top of the orphan children buried underneath it, still lingering as ghosts. 

The 2012 Tragedy of Convent of Jesus & Mary

Tragedy struck the Convent of Jesus & Mary in 2012, when two young students, were found lifeless near the school. The grieving families and friends of the victims made a distressing claim: the children had taken their own lives due to mental harassment and torment inflicted by their teachers. 

A pall of sadness and fear descended upon the school community. Some residents and students assert that the souls of these young victims linger within the school’s premises, casting a somber veil over the institution and are haunting the school.

Boarding School Ghost Stories

The Convent of Jesus & Mary in Shimla with its history and culture of young girls with a wide imagination and perhaps a ghost or two following them seems dark. Beyond its academic pursuits, the school has nurtured stories of spectral encounters that are found perhaps at other similar institutions. 

While some may dismiss these tales as mere superstition, the eerie legends continue to linger in the hallways and grounds of the Convent of Jesus & Mary, evoking a sense of both fascination and dread among its students and visitors. Whether real or imagined, these spectral stories add an intriguing layer to the school’s rich history and the enigmatic charm of Shimla’s haunted landscape.

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References:

Convent of Jesus and Mary Chelsea: Giving young women tools to take over the world | Latest News India – Hindustan Times 

Convent of Jesus Mary and Chelsea School- Some Untold Stories 

7 Most Haunted Places In Shimla: Exploring The Eerie Side In 2023! 

Convent of Jesus and Mary, Shimla – Wikipedia

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Mary’s Ghostly Lament in Dagshai Cemetery

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A grave in Dagshai Cemetery is said to be haunted by Mary, a woman haunting the place after people started to chip away at her tombstone for good luck. 

In the hills of Himachal Pradesh, Dagshai town stands as a testament to time, bearing witness to a history. The very name of the town means a royal stain, and comes from when the Mughal rulers sent criminals for capital punishment here. A jail was built to house the criminals and the jail was known as Himachal’s black water at that time. 

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

Situated just 11 kilometers from Solan and perched at over 5,600 meters above sea level, this old cantonment town, though devoid of the typical touristy allure, harbors a story of a ghost said to be haunting the Dagshai Cemetery.

The Mystery of Dagshai’s Haunting

Dagshai primarily comprises an army cantonment, various military structures, a handful of schools, local residences, and a cemetery. It is the cemetery, steeped in history and mystery, that has garnered the most attention, both positive and negative. 

The Original Grave: The statue and the grave of Mary Rebecca Weston and her unborn child as it used to be before people started coming for it inside of the Dagshai Cemetery in the pine forest.

Although Dagshai has a notoriously haunted cemetery with a lot of stories, most locals talk about the single ghost haunting the cemetery known as Mary or Mem Ki Qabr by the locals. 

A Tale of Love and Tragedy

Dagshai Cemetery is believed to date back to the British colonial era in India when the British made Dagshai into an army cantonment. 

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

The story goes that a British man named Major George Weston, lived in Dagshai with his wife, Mary Rebecca Weston. While Major Weston practiced medicine, his wife served as a nursing assistant. After years of childlessness, the couple’s fortunes took a turn when they met a wandering Muslim saint who bestowed upon them a blessed amulet. Following this divine intervention, Mary, George’s wife, became pregnant with their first child.

However, fate dealt them a cruel hand, as Mary tragically passed away during the eighth month of her pregnancy on 10th of December in 1909. Grief-stricken and deeply in love, George Weston erected a splendid grave in memory of his beloved wife and their unborn child in Dagshai Cemetery. The exquisite marble used for this poignant structure was imported all the way from England.

Mary’s Misguided Legacy

As the years passed, tales of Mary’s grave possessing miraculous powers began circulating within the region. A misconception took root: if a pregnant woman took a piece of marble from Mary’s grave, she would be blessed with a male child. Consequently, countless visitors flocked to Mary’s resting place, foolishly attempting to disfigure her beautiful monument to avoid giving birth to a daughter. This relentless carving at the grave close to ruined the marble grave. A local woman even started selling marble pieces by mail order. 

Chipped Away: Over the years, the grave of Mary in Dagshai Cemetery with the statue started to disintegrate as people sought it out because of the legend. On the grave it was written: “To the sacred and in loving memory of my wife Mary Rebecca Weston, who died at Dagshai 10th December 1909, and our unborn Babe” // Source

Many visitors to the Dagshai Cemetery have claimed to witness the spectral apparition of Mary herself, meandering through the grounds close to her grave. Some suggest that Mary’s spirit may have intervened to protect her and her unborn child’s final resting place, preventing it from further desecration and warding off unwanted visitors.

Protecting Mary’s Legacy in Dagshai Cemetery

Since then, the locals took business into their own hands and started to restore the broken grave and desecrated statue. It got a protective cage over it and inside the grave was fixed back to how it first was made. Perhaps this will help to deter the haunting of Mary herself?

Source

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References:

Your Soul will Tremble after Reading the Horror Story of this Beautiful Place of Himachal 

Dagshai – Haunted Place in Himachal – BikingMystery 

Stories about Dagshai, the haunted town of Himachal | Times of India Travel 

The Haunting Of Dagshai: Himachal Pradesh’s Scariest Town

Why childless couples visit the grave or Mary, also known as ‘Mem Ki Qabr,’ in Dagshai? – my mountain – QuoraIn memory of the beloved : The Tribune India

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The Ghosts of Dukhani House in Shimla Hills

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The House of Dukhani is a beautiful house once used for gatherings and parties for the British. The Dukhani House is also thought to be haunted by the ghost of an old man wearing a gown that is said to have shot himself in the house. 

Shimla, with its enchanting cold airs and mystical ambiance, has always been a magnet for ghostly tales from the mountains and forests and otherworldly phenomena in the old colonial haunted houses and ghosts of dead British settlers and locals alike. 

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

Amidst these hills lie the echoes of the British colonial era, where grand mansions and bungalows once hosted British officers that used this area as their vacation spot. However, some of these elegant houses continue to house more than just memories, as they are believed to be inhabited by the spirits of their former occupants. 

Dukhani House, an old and sprawling house in the beautiful Shimla hills, is one such place where the spirits of the past persist.

A Haunted Night in Dukhani House

This bungalow was once the property of an elderly British gentleman known as Buck or Bucky, who primarily resided in Delhi, but came to Shimla in the summer times with the rest of the British to escape the worst heat further down the mountain. His home, Dukhani served as the venue for his occasional weekend gatherings. Among the regular attendees of these gatherings was an English officer named Sir John Smith, a close friend of Buck’s.

One night, Sir John and his wife found themselves staying at Dukhani House overnight. Sir John was given Buck’s room together with the host, nestled in one of the oldest sections of the house.

British Houses and Architecture in Shimla: Still to this day, there are many houses left from the colonial times like the Dukhani House.

Despite being tired after the late night, Sir John found it challenging to fall asleep due to Bucky’s snores. As the night wore on inside of the Dukhani House, he was awakened by the curtains billowing in the breeze, allowing moonlight into the room. He contemplated whether to get up and close the window but decided to return to sleep. Just then, he spotted an elderly man with silver hair, clad in a dressing gown. Assuming this figure to be Bucky, Sir John asked him to secure the window. However, to his shock, he heard another thunderous snore coming from a different corner of the room, where Bucky was sound asleep.

Panicking, Sir John tried to approach the elderly man, who seemed to retreat outside the window, vanishing into the garden. When he ventured outside to investigate, the specter had vanished, leaving only the memory of the old man’s forlorn expression etched in his mind. Sir John’s nights were haunted by this eerie encounter.

Further inquiries into the incident led Sir John to a startling revelation. He learned that an elderly man, wearing a dressing gown, had tragically taken his own life in the very same room where he had seen the apparition by shooting himself. It was apparent that he had encountered the ghost of this desolate soul that had died around 40 years before that night.

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References:

If you do not believe in Ghosts, then Visit these places in Shimla, Opinion will Definitely Change 

10 Best haunted places to visit in Himachal Pradesh 

The Ghosts of Dukhani- A Lovely House in Shimla Hills – Mysterious Himachal

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The Haunting Secrets of Indira Gandhi Medical College in Shimla

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The Indira Gandhi Medical College is located deep in the mountainous Shimla in India. The college campus as well as the road leading up to the school are thought to be haunted.

In the scenic lap of Shimla, the prestigious Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) stands as both a medical college as well as a hospital. Established in 1966, it initially bore the name “Medical College, Shimla” and was housed in the former Snowdon Hospital. 

IGMC, or इंदिरा गांधी राजकीय आयुर्विज्ञान महाविद्यालय और अस्पताल began its journey in the early 1960s, slowly growing into one of Himachal Pradesh’s preeminent medical institutions. Initially offering only MBBS classes, it progressed with time. 

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

Over the years, it evolved, and in 1984, it was rechristened as Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. Today, it is the largest medical set up in not only Shimla, but the whole of Himachal Pradesh. 

The Campus on the Hillside: Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) is a state-owned medical college and hospital in Shimla. It was established in 1966 as the Himachal Pradesh Medical College (HPMC), and assumed the present name in 1984.// Source

Mysteries Beyond Medicine at Indira Gandhi Medical College

There exists an eerie and mysterious side to Indira Gandhi Medical College though and talks about paranormal experiences. It is said that patients, their families, doctors, and staff have encountered inexplicable incidents that lend an aura of mystery to the institution. The corridors, lifts, and rooms have become the stage for bizarre occurrences. 

Strange noises, unexplained voices, and unsettling sensations have become a part of daily life for some within the college. Some claim they have had their names called out, only to turn and not see anyone there. 

Visitors and personnel alike have described sensations of being pushed from behind while coming up and down some of the staircases. Some claim they have been stuck in the lifts for hours without it being anything wrong with them. 

The collective belief holds that these perplexing activities are attributed to the lingering spirits of individuals who have met their fate within the hospital’s walls. Although the motives for these spirits to haunt the college remain uncertain, their presence has created an air of trepidation that envelops the premises.

The Haunted Road to IGMC

Not only is the building itself haunted, but it is also claimed that the road up to the hospital and college is also believed to be haunted. The forest road leading to the institution is not devoid of eerie legends, although not connected to the hospital legends at all. 

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

In the 1960s, it is said that a man who sold oranges along this very road met a tragic end while he was working. Some have claimed to witness his apparition while walking there. Clutching his basket of oranges, the spectral vendor appears, though he does not inflict harm on those who encounter him.

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References:

If you do not believe in Ghosts, then Visit these places in Shimla, Opinion will Definitely Change 

Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) – Premiers Institute of Himachal 

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The Haunted Charleville Mansion in Shimla

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Deep in the Indian mountains, Charleville Mansion in Shimla is said to be so haunted with an evil poltergeist activity that even the owners had to leave it and it has since then changed hands many times. 

India, with its rich culture and history, is also home to some of the most haunted places in the world like the Charleville Mansion, located in the picturesque hill station of Shimla. The city is the capital of Himachal Pradesh, a mountainous region north in India. 

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

This historic mansion or dâk-bungalow, has long been the subject of chilling tales and inexplicable phenomena that continue to send shivers down the spines of those who dare to step into its shadowy past.

A Victorian Era Abode

Constructed during the colonial era in the late 1800s, Charleville Mansion stands as an architectural relic of its time. The grand facades, intricate woodwork, and sprawling gardens exemplify the opulence that defined the Victorian period. However, behind the mansion’s splendid exterior lies a history marred by a series of mysterious events that have perpetuated its eerie reputation.

Even Rudyard Kipling, the author of the Jungle Book, mentioned how he saw a ghost in his writings “My Own True Ghost Story”, a story about a charecter hearing a ghost playing pool in the room next to him when he is staying at a dâk-bungalow in India.

The Poltergeist’s Haunting

The legend of Charleville Mansion traces back to the early 20th century when Victor Bayley, newly appointed as the Assistant Secretary of the Railway Board, arrived in Shimla with his wife in October in 1913. 

Charmed by the prospect of affordable rent, the couple chose to make this stately mansion their residence. Unbeknownst to them, the mansion harbored a chilling secret. The previous owner, an army officer, had abandoned the mansion due to a malevolent poltergeist that roamed its halls.

The Sinister Upper Room

It is said that it is the ghost of a British gentleman that is haunting the house. The haunting is that of a poltergeist with breaking and crushing objects inside the house, although no one is said to have been physically hurt by it. 

The heart of the mansion’s malevolence seemed to reside in one of the upper rooms, leading the owner that stayed there before the Bayleys to lock it away. The army officer that lived there before them didn’t really believe in ghosts, but wanted to test it out because of the haunted rumors.  

However, to his dismay, the room lay in ruins the following morning and everything was turned upside down. Frightened and unable to rationalize these bizarre events, the owner swiftly vacated the mansion, leaving it to bear the sinister legacy of the supernatural. 

When Victor Bayley and his wife moved in, they did not encounter any strange occurrences and stayed there for over a year. The unsuspecting couple lived a peaceful life in the mansion, but it was their domestic help who was in for an eerie surprise.

An Unnerving Encounter at Charleville Mansion

One evening, while the couple was attending a dinner party, their domestic help remained in the mansion. As he waited, an eerie feeling washed over him, and he was compelled to investigate a room upstairs. His blood ran cold when, to his astonishment, he witnessed a spectral figure and asked if he wanted something. The figure, looking British, didn’t answer and only passed through a closed door. 

Soon after this incident the Bayleys vacated the home.

Following Victor Bayley’s departure, the mansion changed hands and underwent a significant renovation and most of the people staying in the mansion had a story or two to tell and Charleville Mansion continues to be regarded as one of India’s most haunted places, its haunting past woven into its very walls, forever shrouded in an eerie mystery.

The last British living there was an old lady called Mrs A. She sold it after India’s independence to an Indian, telling him it was a haunted place. Today it is owned by an Indian gentleman who has renovated the whole mansion. Still, the locals claim to see the ghost of the British gentleman haunting the mansion in the hills. 

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References:

The Charleville mansion-Most Haunted Home of Shimla – Mysterious Himachal 

India’s Most Haunted: Charleville Mansion in Shimla | India.com

The Charleville mansion-Most Haunted Home of Shimla – Mysterious Himachal

https://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20030621/windows/main3.htm

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The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops: A Haunting Tale on Manali-Leh Road

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A huge pile of trash marks on the side of Manali-Leh Road by the Gata Loops marks the grave and the ghost temple put up for a ghost allegedly haunting the area after dying in a snowstorm. What is the strange story behind The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops?

Are you planning an adventurous road trip from Manali to Leh in the Indian mountains of Himachal Pradesh? Chances are you’ll pass through the famous Gata Loops along the way through the mountainous landscape, a pretty unknown place except for the locals. While this stretch of road is known for its challenging 21 hairpin bends, it also holds a spine-tingling story that travelers often encounter.

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

Gata Loops, true to its name, is a series of winding and looping roads that form 21 hairpin bends. Situated on the Manali-Leh road at an elevation of approximately 17,000 feet, these loops stretch over 10.3 kilometers, with each loop spanning between 300-600 meters. However, the last two loops deviate from this pattern, being 800 and 1,000 meters long, respectively.

Gata Loops in the Indian Mountains: Sharp turns, remote mountainous area and treacherous weather can make driving on the Gata Loops on Manali Road dangerous and one particular ghost story about one who died on these roads have given rise to its own ghost temple at the side of the road.

What is the Ghost Temple in Manali

Among the bikers hiking up the mountains, or travelers passing through, they gather around and tell tales of mystery about the area. One of those tales is about the strange Ghost Temple of Gata Loops with a harrowing story behind it. 

A huge pile of trash and plastic water bottles and cigarettes marks the place of the Ghost Temple in Manali at around the 19th bend of the Gata Loops. But what exactly is it, and who is the ghost haunting this particular stretch of road?

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

Exactly when this happened varies according to those that tell it. Some place it in 1999, perhaps an October night. A truck carrying goods found itself in a dire situation as the winters in these parts can be quite treacherous. 

The Ghost Temple of Manali-Leh Road: On the loops of Manali-Leh Road, a pile of trash have collected around the believed ghost temple of a driver that supposedly died and haunts these parts. //Source: The Ghost Of Gata Loops – Vargis Khan

While trucks are known to navigate these loops, for those seeking a less challenging route, shortcuts are available. The steeply elevated roads are wide enough for trucks, making them a preferred choice for transporting goods.

Crossing the treacherous Rohtang Pass during the cold autumn going to winter night when it had already snowed in places, this truck faced mechanical problems and the trucker was unable to fix it. With no help in sight and facing harsh weather conditions, the driver and his assistant helper decided to wait for assistance.

A Desperate Journey

The driver embarked on a challenging walk to the nearest village, Sarchu, to find a mechanic, leaving his unwell helper behind to protect the cargo. However, heavy snowfall held the driver and stopped him from returning.

Several days later, when the weather cleared, the driver returned to find his helpmate’s lifeless body. The severe cold, hunger, and thirst had claimed his life. Local villagers buried the deceased by the road’s 19th bend that soon turned into The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops.

The Ghostly Apparition of The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops

Over the years, travelers reported encountering a young man along their journey who sought water and provisions close to The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops. Those who stopped and gave the man a water bottle saw it slipped right through his hands. 

The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops: Source

Believing this figure to be the ghost of the deceased helper, local villagers established a small shrine to placate his spirit. Passersby often leave mineral water and cigarettes at the shrine to prevent potential wrath or calamities along the way.

What happened that winter night is hard to prove or disprove. People are still giving away water to the bricks that make a little clearing by The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops. Inside it is a real human skull placed inside. Or so the saying goes at least. 

Regardless, some travelers claim to have experienced the apparition of the ghostly helper around the area of The Ghost Temple of Gata Loops. If you dare to venture along this eerie path, tread with caution, but remember that a world of enchanting landscapes awaits you beyond Gata Loops.

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References:

https://gomissing.in/blog/travel/ladakh/ghost-of-gata-loops-other-mysteries-of-leh-ladakh

The Ghost Of The Gata Loops | TDA Global Cycling 

Do you know of the ghost temple on Gata Loops on Manali-Leh Road? | Times of India TravelThe Ghost Of Gata Loops – Vargis Khan

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The Haunted and Forgotten Ground of Kasauli Graveyard

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From colonial times, there are only graves left behind in Kasauli Graveyard, and they are slowly disappearing with no one to attend to them. Over time, the rumors of the graveyard being haunted also grew together with the wild grass taking over the headstones. 

The serene hill town of Kasauli, nestled in the lap of the Himalayas, is famous for its breathtaking vistas and tranquil beauty. Yet, amid the picturesque landscapes and lush forests, a spine-chilling enigma shrouds the Kasauli Graveyards inside of a forest, as old as the town itself. 

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

Positioned on the way to Shimla in the Solan district, there are two cemeteries that have gained notoriety as a hotspot for paranormal activities that have left visitors bewildered and unnerved. These cemeteries can be found on the Kasauli-Dharampur and Kasauli-Parwanoo road around a kilometer from the town center.

Phantom Apparitions Among Weathered Graves

Visitors to Kasauli Graveyard have reported chilling sightings of apparitions, wandering the hallowed grounds under the cloak of night among the graves that are up to 200 years old, many of them not maintained where time and weather is about to reclaim them. 

There have also been problems with people stealing iron crosses as well as the marble headstones over the years. Has all of this helped fuel the haunted rumors?

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

The first cemetery is on Dharmapur road and houses mostly Europeans that lived there in colonial times as well as 29 soldiers from the British army who died during World War 1. Some say they are still here. These ethereal figures, shrouded in mystery, cast eerie shadows that dance with the moonlight. 

The Lone Caretaker

As the sun dips below the horizon, Kasauli Graveyard awakens to a symphony of ghostly whispers. Eager ears have strained to decipher the incoherent murmurs that fill the night air, their origin a macabre mystery. 

As the current caretaker of the graveyard, Devi Lal, says: “The dead here need care.” He is better known as Kabristan ka Chowkidar in the town and has done as his father and grandfather before him, taken care of the graveyard. For free that is. 

And although it is the cemetery that is supposed to be haunted, the diligent caretaker has another opinion and claims: “This place haunted? Nah! But I do see dead people being haunted by the humans here.”

Nocturnal Laments and Unearthly Cries

The second cemetery with hundreds of graves dating back to the mid-nineteenth century, can be found on Parwanoo road not far from the old Central Research Institute. There is a small path in a forest area leading to the cemetery where the state is much like the first one and wild grass and shrubs are growing over the headstones. 

Who and why these graveyards are supposed to be haunted is unclear, however the stories about it have reached far. 

Most stories come from visitors that are claiming to have experienced different paranormal things while walking among the gravestones. They have talked about hearing the sound of ghosts weeping  and seen the spirits gliding through the cemetery. 

Perhaps this is why the local authorities forbid people visiting the graveyard after dark?

The Haunted Abandoned Kasauli Graveyard

The Kasauli Graveyard, veiled in an otherworldly aura, captivates the imagination of those who dare to explore its haunted terrain. The tales of phantom apparitions, ghostly whispers, and the woeful cries of the night beckon the curious and the fearless. 

While skepticism may shroud the paranormal occurrences within these grounds, the mystique of Kasauli Graveyard sits there, inviting those who seek the mystery of the abandoned and supposedly haunted. 

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References:

https://curlytales.com/most-haunted-places-in-himachal

https://thewildcone.com/web-stories/13-facts-about-kasaulis-cemeteries

10 Best haunted places to visit in Himachal Pradesh 

Visiting the Dead in Kasauli’s Cemeteries — Wildcone 2023 

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The Haunting of Naggar Castle in the Hills

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In the mountainous hills in India, Naggar Castle is said to be haunted and visitors and staff that have stayed at the hotel it now operates as, talk about their paranormal experiences. 

Sat in the picturesque landscape of Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India, is Naggar Castle overlooking the green mountain ranges in the Kullu valley on the way to Manali. Although not the biggest castle, this medieval stronghold, which dates back to around 1460 A.D., carries with it not only a rich history but also a spectral mystique. 

The Kullu Valley: Known as the “Valley of the Gods” or “Dev Bhumi” because almost every village in the valley has a local deity and annual festivities around them. Naggar Castle was the seat of the Kings ruling the valley.

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

Today it is a heritage hotel you can stay in, but Naggar Castle’s history is as captivating as its Himachali architecture of wood and stone. It housed the Kullu kings for almost 1500 years before Kullu Town was made the capital in the mid-1800s. 

The name Kullu derives from the word “Kulant Peeth”, meaning “end of the habitable world” and the secluded place only got a road for cars after Indian Independence in the mid 20th century. Constructed under the patronage of Raja Sidh Singh of Kullu, it has seen centuries pass by from its perch on the hills and the lower rocky ridges. 

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

One legend about the building of the castle suggests that Raja Sidh Singh utilized stones from the abandoned palace of Rana Bhonsal, known as “Gardhak,” to build this castle. 

The Eerie Echoes of Naggar Castle

As mentioned Naggar Castle is today a heritage hotel and has been so since 1978, so even as a hotel it has a rich and long story. So where do the ghost stories come from? From its time as a castle or as a hotel? 

Naggar Castle: constructed c. 1460 CE in local Himalayan architecture in Naggar, district Kullu, Himachal Pradesh, India. //Source

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

Over the years, Naggar Castle amid the pine and deodar forest has acquired a reputation for being haunted, with countless eyewitnesses attesting to the inexplicable and the paranormal within its walls. But what are they seeing and hearing?

Although there is not one single ghost story, the tapestry of history weaved into the old castle-like building is said to linger and strange and ghostly occurrences constantly happening. 

Visitors have reported hearing distinct voices engaging in conversation and witnessing objects mysteriously moving of their own accord in the hotel. Typically classical and vague signs for haunting. But are they true? The visitors checking in and spending time there must be the judges.

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References:

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/naggar/naggar-castle/ps59178641.cms

10 Best haunted places to visit in Himachal Pradesh 

Naggar Castle – Wikipedia

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Chudail Baudi and the Woman Haunting the Well

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A woman wearing a white saree is said to haunt the road close to the well known as Chudail Baudi and said to try to get into the cars of those passing on the road as well as crying from the depths of the water hole. 

In the breathtaking landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla is celebrated for its natural beauty and tranquil vistas. However, beyond the serene mountains and lush valleys, the state harbors a darker, enigmatic side. 

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

Among the most haunted places in India, Shimla is home to the enigmatic Chudail Baudi, a location steeped in eerie tales and haunting mysteries that have sent shivers down the spines of many.

The Chudail Baudi in Shimla

Chudail Baudi: a haunted place on Nawbihar-Chota Shimla road.//Source: Deepak Sansta / Hindustan Times)

Chudail Baudi is situated on the Shimla Highway between Chota Shimla to Navbahar, cocooned within verdant forests and picturesque natural splendor. This particular stretch of road close to the water hole is known to have a large amount of accidents according to local tales. 

Read Also: Many wells around the world have a ghost story attached to them. For more of these check out Minxiong Ghost Mansion, The Grey Lady of Stavern at Hotel Wassilioff and Banchō Sarayashiki — the Ghost of Okiku

The water hole found in the forest is also known as the Witch’s Well. The term “Baudi” translates to a well, and as per local legends, this well at Chudail Baudi was excavated during the British colonial era. However, this well holds more than water—it holds a chilling curse, believed to be the creation of a vindictive spirit.

The Woman in White Saree

Local folklore narrates the haunting tale of a woman who met a tragic fate many years ago, and her lingering spirit is said to torment this well. She is often described as an English woman with long black hair and a white saree. Many claim that she is asking passing cars for lift or just constantly staring at you from the backseat of your car if you refuse her. 

According to the legend, the woman was unjustly accused of adultery, a crime that led her husband to mete out a gruesome punishment—he buried her alive near this very well. Her restless spirit is thought to haunt Chudail Baudi, forever seeking retribution against those who cross her path.

Chilling Encounters on the Road

Around Chudail Baudi, many have recounted eerie experiences bordering on the paranormal, especially on the surrounding roads. It is said that cars automatically slow down in the area, no matter how much you try to accelerate. It is also said that if you encounter the woman in the white saree and doesn’t give her a lift, she will chase after your car. A story very similar to The Ghost of the Lady in White Sari of Delhi Cantt.

There are tales that her showing up has caused many accidents on the nearby roads, where even some of the car crashes have cost more lives. 

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

Some claim to have heard a woman’s anguished cries echoing from the depths of the well, while others have witnessed a spectral figure, ethereal and haunting, hovering above the water’s surface. Venturing close to the well after nightfall, they describe an unsettling silence.

The Future of Chudail Baudi

Although the haunted legends around the water hole are well known in the region, this doesn’t stop life for moving forward. Plans are to make this area a playground for the local kids. The question is, will the haunting stop for this reason? Or perhaps it will just get more fuel?

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References:

Haunted no more, Shimla’s Chudail Bauri to turn into children’s park – Hindustan Times 

Chudail Baudi Shimla (History, Distance, Images & Location) 

Discover the Chilling Story of Chudail Baudi in Haunted Shimla – Mysterious Himachal 

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Inside the Haunted Tunnel No. 33 of the Kalka-Shimla Railway Line

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Inside of an abandoned Tunnel of the Kalka-Shimla Railway Line in Himachal Pradesh in India it is said the ghost of the engineer that built it is haunting it. But what exactly happened to the ill fated Tunnel No. 33 and the other haunted tunnels on these tracks?

Shimla was considered the summer place for the British and became the official summer capital in 1864 and also known as Queen of the Hills. It is the biggest city in the Himachal Pradesh Province and is in the Western Himalayas

This is why they needed a railway as the entire government and military had to move back and to Calcutta twice a year. 

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

The Kalka Shimla Railway was built in the late 19th century by the British government to connect Kalka to Shimla at the foot of the Himalayas. Known for its breathtaking mountain views it also has a couple of ghost stories going on along the track. 

Source

The Haunted History of Tunnel No. 33

One of the tunnels the line passes through is called the Barog Tunnel and is named after Colonel Barog who was in charge of construction  and is known as the straightest tunnel in the world. This is also the longest tunnel of 1143.61 meters long and is located at an altitude of 1565 meters above sea level. It will take around two minutes by train going at 25 kilometers per hour to ride through it before reaching Barog station on the other side.

In 1898, Colonel Barog was put in charge of building the tunnel. He was an English railway engineer and given a strict deadline. 

The legend surrounding Tunnel No. 33 is that Colonel Barog was tasked with constructing the tunnel but failed to complete it within the given time frame. To meet the deadline, he instructed the workers to dig from both sides and to meet in the middle. But because of his miscalculation the project failed. 

Tunnel No. 33: According to the stories, it is this tunnell said to harbour dark and ghostly secrets within on the Kalka-Shimla Railway Line. //Source: Sanoop/Flickr

As a result, he was fined a Rupee and humiliated in front of his peers. This was a lot to be fined for a construction worker at the time, and unable to bear the shame, he committed suicide close to what is now the Barog Pine Wood Hotel. It was also said he had struggled with depression already before this. According to the stories, he was out for a walk together with his dog when he shot himself.

After his death another engineer named HS Herlington completed the Tunnel No. 33 a kilometer away from the original spot together with an Indian diviner named Baba Bhalku.

The Paranormal Activity in Tunnel No. 33

Some have reported hearing disembodied voices, feeling a cold breeze, and seeing apparitions. Others have reported feeling a sense of unease and discomfort while inside the tunnel.

It is said that the locals see him frequently inside and around the tunnel, often on horse. He is known to be a talkative ghost that answers people’s questions and keeps conversations going with those that meet him. 

Now the tunnel has been closed, but activity seems to keep happening around it. Even though the government has put a lock on the tunnel several times to keep people out, people keep finding ways in, or perhaps something just needs a way out?

The Other Haunted Tunnels of the Kalka-Shimla Railway Line

Although the story of Tunnel No. 33 is the most told about, it is not the only place on the tracks thought to be haunted. 

There are also stories about Tunnel No. 46 and 103. Mostly they talk about Tunnel No. 103, otherwise known as the Inveram Tunnel, and that it is haunted by a British ghost that likes to speak with travelers. It is worth nothing that many of the stories get mixed up with the story of Colonel Barog and Tunnel No. 33. Tunnel 103 is the last tunnel on the way toward Shimla

There are also stories about the spirit of a woman moving through the walls of the Tunnel No. 33 and giving off horrifying screams. She is also said to be wearing a black sari as she is carrying a malnourished baby. 

The Truth Behind the Legends

But what about these legends about Tunnel No. 33 and the rest of the supposedly haunted tunnels are actually true? What we find when digging a bit deeper is that the Barog tunnel was called so even before 1899 as an article from the Bombay Gazette on August 14th in 1899 said, and the Construction of the Kalka Simla line didn’t start until Summer of 1900. 

“A detailed and final reconnaissance for the Simla-Kalka railway has now been completed by Mr Harrington (the chief engineer)….The proposed alignment will necessitate the construction of three important tunnels, viz. Koti spur…Barogh…and Tara Devi.”

The fact that we don’t even know Colonel Barogs first name as well as there is no mention of his death in a matter that was written so much about in the papers seems suspicious. There is also no mention of him on the project plan. Did he even exist?

Even the help from the Indian diviner is to the engineer that completed the tunnel is not mentioned with a word in the papers throughout the construction. Could they really have missed such a good story, or are most of the stories known around this construction just this? Just stories? 

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References:

Volvo Car India drives forth the sustainability and climate impact dialogue with its #PoweringLife initiative 

Tunnels & Bridges – the Kalka Shimla Railway — Google Arts & Culture 

https://mysterioushimachal.wordpress.com/tag/the-ghost-of-tunnel-103/

India’s Most Haunted: Tunnel No 33 or Barog Tunnel in Shimla | India.com 

The Ghost of Tunnel 33 Barog Tunnel(Tunnel No. 33)- Facts, History and Stories – Tripoto