Tag Archives: India

The Ghost of the Lady in White Sari of Delhi Cantt

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After darkness falls on Delhi Cantt in the city, the ghosts are said to appear. Several of the locals have reported about the ghost of a woman wearing a white sari approaching cars, asking for lifts. Where she is going is unclear, but if you tell her no, it is said she will chase you. 

The part of Delhi called Delhi Cantonment or simply Delhi Cantt is located in the heart of New Delhi, is a bustling hub of activity during the day. The Delhi Cantt houses a lot of the defense and army housing and schools. 

It is said that this part of Delhi is the safest area. However, as the sun sets and the night falls, a different kind of activity takes over – the eerie and ghostly kind. 

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

With all of these army forces you would think that Delhi Cantt would be a peaceful one. But according to the local word of mouth it is anything but. The area of over 10 000 acres close to Dhaula Kaun is notorious for its spooky legends, with tales of supernatural occurrences and sightings of apparitions and unexplained phenomena. 

The Woman in White Saree

According to the legend, there is a middle aged woman wearing a white sari that is said to haunt the area of Delhi Cantt. She is said to have gray hair, and some sources even point out that she apparently has hairy arms.

Why she is said to wear a white saree though, is uncertain, however, many ghost stories involve a woman in white saree. In India and especially in Hinduism, the color white is also the color of mourning, and many  widows have traditionally worn them. The white saree is also said to represent purity, innocence as well as spirituality. This with the fact that most modern ghosts globally are wearing white, makes this trope especially common. 

The Ghostly Tales of Delhi Cantt

Back to this particular ghost story, there are some variations of the reports and sightings. Some claim she comes out from the lush and green areas, some say she is just wandering the roads, most reports pinpoint her to between 1 and 4 am.

She is said to be walking along the roads and asks for a lift when night falls over the neighborhood. Apparently many of the call centers in the area advised their employees never to stop their car and give anyone a lift. 

If you deny her a lift, it is said that she is following the car and even matching its speed, so you can’t outrun her. 

It is said that she is the ghost of a lady that was killed on the route when she was going someplace. Perhaps on the road in a car accident, or perhaps in the green forestry people claim she comes from. To where we don’t know, but apparently she is still trying to get there. 

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References:

Delhi Cantonment – Wikipedia 

India.comIndia’s Most Haunted: Delhi Cantonment area 

Spooky Tales: Spots In Delhi Which Are Said To Be The Most Haunted 

This Road In Delhi Cantt. Is Apparently Haunted & Those That Stop By Are Never Seen Again! 

Is Delhi’s Cantonment area really haunted?

The Haunted Ludhiana Railway Station and the Ghost the Dedicated Employee

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After a faithful employee died at his station, it is said that the ghost of Subhash is said to be haunting his former workplace at the Ludhiana Railway Station.

Ludhiana Railway Station (लुधियाना जंक्शन रेलवे स्टेशन) is a stop in the Ludhiana district in the northern Indian state, Punjab. It is known for being one of the busiest stations in Punjab, as well as perhaps the cleanest in India. It is an old station from 1864 with 7 platforms. It is also known to be one of the most haunted railway stations in the country. 

Today, the reservation center at the Ludhiana Railway Station where you book your tickets has changed and you can now book train tickets many places because of the notorious long queues. 

Legend has it that a former Computer Reservation System (CRS) officer named Subhash met his untimely demise within the confines of this very room and are said to be haunting the Ludhiana Railway Station. 

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

Subhash was known for his unwavering dedication to his job at the ticket counter, and was said to have loved his work with a passion that seems to have lasted, even after death itself. It is believed to have bound his spirit to the Reservation Center long after his passing in 2004 according to most sources.

The Haunting of Ludhiana Railway Station

Whispers of Subhash’s ghostly presence have circulated among the employees for years and people that have worked there speak of sudden drops in temperature, flickering lights, and an overwhelming feeling of being watched by unseen eyes.

People trying to book their tickets have also been tricked by seeing something looking like a human shadow at the ticket counter, although there is no one there. 

But perhaps the most chilling aspect of Subhash’s haunting is the alleged curse that befalls anyone who dares to sit in the very chair where he once worked. According to local lore, those who have attempted to occupy Subhash’s former seat have been met with a series of misfortunes and setbacks, their lives plagued by difficulties and problems.

Despite attempts to cleanse the room of its spectral inhabitant, Subhash’s ghost remains a permanent fixture of the Reservation Center, his presence a chilling reminder of the dangers that lurk in the shadows of the mundane. For those who dare to tread within its haunted confines, the Reservation Center offers a glimpse into a world where the boundaries between the living and the dead blur, and where the past refuses to be forgotten.

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References:

Ludhiana Junction railway station – Wikipedia 

TOP TEN HAUNTED RAILWAY STATIONS IN INDIA

The Drowned Ghosts Under Howrah Bridge in Kolkata

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The Howrah Bridge is a city icon in Kolkata, but it is also said the area is haunted by those dying from falling from it as well as drowning in the river below. And on the steps of the ghats along the river, people claim to have seen the ghosts.

The Howrah Bridge, an architectural marvel spanning the Hooghly River in West Bengal, India, stands as a timeless symbol of Kolkata’s rich heritage. Commissioned in 1943 to replace a pontoon bridge, it was renamed Rabindra Setu in honor of the renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore in 1965, though it’s still commonly known as the Howrah Bridge. 

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

This iconic structure in the city of joy, one of four bridges on the Hooghly River, serves as a vital link between the cities of Howrah and Kolkata, bearing witness to the ebb and flow of daily life in the bustling metropolis were people sit under to relax after a day at work at the ghat steps under the bridge

The Kusti Wrestlers Tell about Ghosts

Underneath The Howrah Bridge there are also wrestlers training  in the three thousand year old tradition of Kusti. Their Kusti akhara, where they practice, is found on a clay pit by the bridge. The dedicated wrestler comes to practice at 4:30 with prayers and exercises as it is not only a sport, but a lifestyle.

These wrestlers have stories to tell as well about the haunting allegedly going on, both under The Howrah Bridge as well as by the different ghats along the river like by the Mullick Ghat and the Zanana Ghat. 

Although a place to relax and enjoy the steady stream of the river popularly called Ganga or Kati-Ganga, the area under The Howrah Bridge is also thought to be haunted by the spirits of the people that lost their lives on the river. Some by accidents, some willing, perhaps even some unwillingly? 

The Howrah Bridge of the Drowned

Some people claim to have witnessed phantom arms reaching out from the dark waters under the bridge as if asking for help, still trying to get out from the river they drowned in. 

There are also stories passed around in the area about seeing a crying woman wearing white robes as she sobs by the river bank. It is said that those approaching the woman, trying to help her or the ghostly arm out of the water, become traumatized or perhaps worse, drown themselves.

Those wandering around the bridge and along the river below also claim to have heard the voices of women crying out and calling out their names in a ghostly tone, although no one is there. 

The Haunted Ghats Along the River

As twilight descends and the cityscape fades into darkness, the bridge’s silent sentinel watches over the Hooghly River, its towering silhouette casting long shadows upon the water below.

Where the Kusti Wrestlers have been training for a long time and where the ghosts keep haunting the river banks under The Howrah Bridge, silently raising their hands just above the dark waters. 

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References:

Featured Image: Tubaisam21/Wiki

Kusti by the Hooghly | Traditional Indian Wrestling in Kolkata – Ron Mayhew 

11 Haunted Places In Kolkata That You Should Not Visit Alone 

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

Top 12 Haunted Places in Kolkata That You Can Explore in 2024

The Ghosts of Freedom Fighters Haunting Naini Railway Station

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It is said that in the depths of Naini Railway Station, former freedom fighters who ended their lives in the nearby prison are haunting the tracks and platforms. 

In the northern state Uttar Pradesh in India, lies Naini, a city in Prayagraj District— the local Naini Railway Station is said to be a place where the echoes of the past reverberate through the mist-shrouded platforms and shadowed tracks. 

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

Built in close proximity to Naini Jail, a notorious prison, even to this day, of suffering and oppression during India’s fight for independence, this railway station bears witness to a history stained with blood and tears. And if we are to believe the local legends, some of the freedom fighters are said to haunt the train station.

Naini Railway Station: Painted and colorful, it is said that the Naini Railway Station is haunted by the people that died in the prison nearby.

Freedom Fighters from Naini Jail

For generations, Naini Jail served as a grim reminder of, not only what happens to criminals, but of British colonial rule and was a place where countless souls were imprisoned, tortured, and ultimately laid to rest. Some of them simply fight for their motherland.

Among these were the freedom fighters who dared to challenge the might of the empire like Motilal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Jawahar Lal Nehru (the first prime minister of India), Govind Ballabh Pant, Narendra Dev, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, Hasrat Mohani, all of these were imprisoned there during Indian independence movement. 

It is from the freedom fighter movement the ghosts haunting the station are said to come from. 

The Haunting of Naini Railway Station

Naini Jail: It is believed that the haunting at the Naini Railway Station comes from the jail nearby that once housed freedom fighters.

Legend has it that the souls of the dead roam the grounds of Naini Railway Station and its surrounding tracks. Locals speak of spectral apparitions that wander the deserted platforms, their silent footsteps echoing through the stillness.

Although believed that the ghost must be the freedom fighters, there are not really any particular names attached to it, how many or what they are doing at the railway station. 

Many believe that the tortured souls of the freedom fighters, denied their rightful place in history, are now haunting the area. Although their presence scares the passengers, it is said that the souls haunting the station is harmless. 

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References:

TOP TEN HAUNTED RAILWAY STATIONS IN INDIA 

Naini – Wikipedia 

Naini Central Prison – Wikipedia 

The Spooky Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

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Could there be something about the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport that has brought back restless spirits? Was there really something to the story about the pilot that saw a dancing lady in a white saree?

The Shamshabad Airport, also called Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is said to house ghosts of the past that still roam the halls of the terminal. Although the haunted stories are rampant, the origin and the truth of them are more vague and shrouded in legends and hersays.

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

This mysterious airport located in Hyderabad, landlocked in south-central India, is rumored to be one of the most haunted places in the country. From strange noises and unexplained sightings to the chilling tales of ghostly apparitions, the airport has a long history of paranormal activity. 

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad: Source

The Rumors about the Haunted Terminal

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, also known as Hyderabad International Airport, has been the subject of many spooky rumors and ghost stories. It is named after the former Prime Minister of India and was opened in 2008, so it’s a fairly new airport with pretty new ghost stories. 

Check-in area at Rajiv Gandhi Int’l Airport, Hyderabad, India: Source

But who are these ghosts said to haunt the pretty new airport? Apparently the airport was built after disputes over the land that left numerous people dead during its construction. According to the rumors from then, the airport authorities did not properly relocate the remains of those that died, and as a result, the spirits of the dead still haunt the terminal.

There are also rumors that the airport is actually built on top of a graveyard, and the people buried there were never properly removed. 

The Ghosts of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport

The rumors of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport being haunted have been around for many years. Some people claim to have seen ghosts wandering around the terminal, while others have reported hearing strange noises and voices when there is no one there. 

Perhaps the strangest and scariest encounter the staff has had was when they got called into a meeting room. There they claimed they met a man that only looked at them before starting laughing as his head turned 360 degrees. 

A pretty bold story to claim as true, and many of the staff have also claimed to have never heard about this before. So who really told it? Where did the story come from?

Some of the earliest claims of it being haunted can be traced as far back to 2009, when the airport had just opened.

Despite the rumors, the airport authorities have always denied that the terminal is haunted. They have attributed the strange noises and sightings to normal airport activity, such as the sound of planes taking off and landing. However, many people remain convinced that there is something supernatural going on at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport.

The Lady in White Saree Dancing on the Runway

The stories of the haunted terminal at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport are not just limited to rumors and hearsay. Many airport staff and passengers have reported strange experiences and sightings over the years.

One story recounts an incident where a pilot flying for Qatar airways one night was going for takeoff. He stopped the plane when he was a lady dancing in a white saree on the runway. When the authorities searched for her, they found nothing though. 

Did People Really Die Under Construction?

Although the opening of the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport happened amid protests by people fearing they would lose their jobs after they closed down Begumpet Airport and HAL Airport in Bangalore, did it really turn so bad that people died?

Read Also: Check out Los Rodeos Airport Ghost Passengers and The Lady in Waiting: A Haunting at Honolulu Airport for stories about more haunted airports.

Not according to the written record. Although more than one has died at the airport to murder, freak accidents and bad health, it wasn’t really a mass murder because of the land when it opened as the legend claim. Could the ghosts be of something else then? Or was it the ill will of the locals as well as the chaos of the opening that created the ghost stories?

Believe it or not?

The stories of the haunted terminal at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport may never be fully explained. While many of the rumors and legends have been debunked or at least denied by authorities, there are still unexplained sightings and sounds that cannot be easily explained. It even got to the point of the official Instagram account for the airport to post about the haunted rumors in 2025 after many reported the story as false:

Whether or not you believe in the paranormal, there is no denying that the airport has a spooky reputation that continues to fascinate people around the world and from time to time makes its rounds on social media.

So, if you find yourself at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, keep your eyes and ears open. Who knows what spooky secrets you might uncover?

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References:

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport – Wikipedia 

Have A Spooky Date: Explore The Most Haunted Places Of Hyderabad 

Graveyard shift—some of the most haunted places in India 10 Haunted Places In Hyderabad With Real Ghost Stories For Spooky Trips In 2023

The Ghostly Screams from Pune’s Shaniwar Wada Fort

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Every full moon it is said that the dying screams of the young Peshwa Prince that was brutally murdered echoes through Shaniwar Wada Fort. The murder was so horrible that it is said to have opened for every spirit that died in the old fort. 

Pune, the cultural capital of Maharashtra, is a city steeped in history and mystery. The Maratha Empire was an early modern India that controlled large portions in the 18th century, at its peak in 1758 from the south to the Sutlej River in the north until its fall in 1818. 

And when it comes to mysterious tales, the Shaniwar Wada Fort stands out as one of the most intriguing and haunting structures in the city. 

Shaniwar Wada Fort: The Delhi Darwaza is the main gate of the complex, facing north towards Delhi. The gatehouse is strongly built with massive doors, large enough for elephants with seating canopies. The Shaniwar Wada Fort was built by a contractor from Rajasthan known as ‘Kumawat’ after completing construction. The gate is used for ceremonial purposes and military campaigns depart and arrive here with religious ceremonies.

Built in the 1730 century and was the seat of the Peshwas until 1818 when they lost it to the East India Company. The Peshwa was the second highest rank in the Maratha Empire, serving as a prime minister and de facto ruler when it became hereditary position in 1749. 

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

The Shaniwar Wada Fort was witness to several historical events, including political intrigues, battles, and even a tragic supernatural incident. The fort’s eerie atmosphere and the unsolved mysteries surrounding it have fascinated locals and visitors alike for generations. 

From the mysterious footsteps that echo through its corridors at night to the blood-curdling screams that can be heard on full-moon nights, the Shaniwar Wada Fort has been the subject of many chilling tales. 

The Ghosts of the Peshwa’s at Shaniwar Wada Fort

The Peshwa Balaji Baji Rao was the 8th Peshwa from 1740 until his death in 1761. He was also known under the name, Nana Saheb and had three sons – Madhav, Vishwas and Narayan Rao. Under Peshwa Nana Saheb’s reign the empire reached its peak and golden era, but it went downhill for his family from then on. His eldest son, Vishwas Rao died in battle and the 8th Peshwa got depressed after his first son died and died in 1761. 

The burden was too heavy on the second son Madhav Rao who was appointed the 9th Peshwa after his father and brothers death at the age of 16 with his uncle Raghunath Rao acting as his regent for a long time. But their relationship turned sour however and the uncle was put under house arrest. 

The young prince got tuberculosis though and the sickness killed him slowly until his death in 1772 and his death was seen as the start of the end of the Maratha Confederacy.  

Because Madhac Rao died slowly, he also had the time to appoint the next heir, and he chose his younger brother, Narayan Rao, although his performance didn’t really impress anyone. 

The Tragic Life of Narayan Rao

Narayan Rao (नारायणराव पेशवे) was a young man of only 16 or 18 when it was announced. The fact that he was to inherit the title and seat was not taken well by his relatives. His uncle Raghunath Rao and his wife Anandi Bai were ambitious and willing to go far to get the power. Even though they were in house arrest, the uncle tried to escape several times and the scheming continued.

It is said that they hired a tribe of hunters known as Gardis by letter. The Gardi soldiers were employed by the Peshwa for police duty around the palace and in Pune. They had no personal attachment to their employer and were soldiers from North India, Ethiopia, Arabs and so on. During Madhav Rao’s reign he had emptied the treasury and owed them many years of payments. It is also said that they used the Kalbelia tribe, which are a snake charming tribe from the desert in Rajasthan. 

The letter from the uncle was supposed to say:  Narayan Rao la dhara”, which means “Hold Narayan Rao” as his plan was to kidnap him and hold him in a house arrest. However, his wife got hold of the letter and changed it to “Narayan Rao la mara” which means “Kill Narayan Rao”

The assassination happened during the Ganesh Chathurhu Festival in August with over 500 men storming the Shaniwar Wada Fort. 

They got him from his chambers and they chopped his body into small pieces and threw them in a nearby river to rid themselves of evidence. It is also said that his remains were gathered in a bundle to be cremated. But did he? There is a rumor that because of his murder and because he didn’t even get a cremation he returned as a ghost. 

The Ghostly Sightings at Shaniwar Wada Fort

Legend has it that his ghost still haunts the Shaniwar Wada Fort, and on full-moon nights, his blood-curdling screams can be heard echoing through the corridors of the fort. “Kaka Mala Vacchva“ he screams which means “Please save me uncle”. Visitors to the fort have reported feeling an eerie presence and hearing strange noises, making it a prime location for ghost hunters and paranormal enthusiasts.

The Shaniwar Wada Fort has been the site of several ghostly sightings over the years and people are discouraged to enter it after 6:30 in the evening. Visitors have reported seeing the ghost of a young prince roaming the corridors of the fort and heard his screams on full moon nights

It is even said that the 13th and the last Peswha, Baji Rao II believed in the presence of the ghost. To satisfy and appease the ghost he planted thousands of mango trees around Pune city as well as donating  to Brahmins and religious institutions. 

Other Ghosts Haunting the Fort

But it is not only the young prince that is said to be haunting the Shaniwar Wada Fort as the murder was so heinous and awful and said to have opened a portal to the underworld for the other people that died inside of the fort. 

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

Others have reported seeing the ghost of a lady in white, who is said to have been a courtesan in the Peshwa court once upon a time. These ghostly sightings only add to the overall mystery and intrigue of the fort.

The Mysteries of Shaniwar Wada Fort Remain Unsolved

Another strange thing that happened was the fire. Pune fortress broke out in 1828 when the British controlled it. The fire lasted for 7 days and destroyed everything but the stone part of the building. No one has found out what really happened and how it started. 

The Shaniwar Wada Fort is an iconic structure that has stood the test of time. Its haunting legend, mysterious architecture, and supernatural occurrences have fascinated visitors for generations. While some of the fort’s mysteries have been solved, many still remain unsolved.

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References:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Narayan_Rao

Tales of Love & Deceit – the Shaniwar Wada haunted story – Thrilling Travel 

Know why you should avoid visiting Pune’s Shaniwarwada Fort on full moon nights | Times of India Travel 

Is Pune’s Shaniwar Wada really haunted? | Times of India Travel 

The Haunted Begunkodor Train Station Reopened after being Closed for Decades

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After a rumor about seeing the ghost of a woman wearing a white sari by the rural Begunkodor Train Station, it closed down for decades. Now after it’s opened, the story of the ghost has returned. What exactly is happening by the tracks?

Far from most things in the remote village of Begunkodor in West Bengal lies a railway station shrouded in mystery that spans decades and supposedly haunted by a spectral presence that continues to send shivers down the spines of those who dare to venture near. 

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

Built in the early 1960s but closed down pretty quickly because of the haunted rumors, Begunkodor Train Station serves the Purulia district and has since its reopening been seen as one of the most haunted railway stations in India. 

The Lady in White Saree

Legend has it that Begunkodor Train Station is haunted by the ghost of a lady draped in a white saree—a tragic figure whose spirit wanders the platforms and tracks, forever trapped in a spectral dance of sorrow and despair. 

This story was told by a railway employee working as the station master to the villagers of Begunkodor in 1967, the year they decided to close down the Begunkodor Train Station. After he told about his sightings, he was ignored and nothing was down. Allegedly his first hand account was published, but he wouldn’t survive to tell if for much longer. 

According to local lore, the woman in a white sari has many origin stories. Some claim she is a witch with horrible powers, while other says she is the ghost of a lady who met her untimely demise when she was tragically run over by a train at the station, her life snuffed out in a moment of unspeakable horror. 

Either way, it is said that this very specter holds the power to seriously harm people, perhaps even take their life. 

The Death of the Station Master

Because just seeing the spectral presence of the lady in white is not the only source of terror at Begunkodor Train Station. It is said that the sight of the ghostly apparition led to the death of a railway employee. 

The same year the Station Master tried to warn the villagers about the ghost, the dead bodies of him as well as his family were found in their home. The locals finally took his warning to heard and blamed it all on the ghost or possible witch that were haunting the Begunkodor Train Station. 

After all this controversy and rumors, they closed down the station when the trains passing refused to stop because of the paranormal stuff they claimed they experienced on this platform. 

The Reopened Begunkodor Train Station

Since that fateful day, reports have surfaced of eerie sightings and inexplicable phenomena occurring at Begunkodor Train Station. Witnesses claim to have seen the ghostly apparition of the lady in white, her ethereal form gliding silently along the tracks or twirling in a macabre dance upon the platforms. Some even swear that her mournful wails can be heard echoing through the night, a chilling reminder of the tragedy that befell her.

Despite these chilling reports, the government dismissed the claims of paranormal activity and decided to reopen Begunkodor Station in 2009, after it had lain deserted for 42 years. Some claim that the staff made up the ghost stories to not be stationed there. 

Some even claim that the locals made up the ghost story to get a boost of “ghost tourism”. Perhaps worst is that this particular rationalist group called Paschim Banga Bigyan Mancha, said that the locals then loot the tourists after they scare them away. 

The way that they called it busting the myth about the station being haunted is that they camped out there in 2017 and they saw a group of men in the bushes making the sounds. Although they didn’t manage to catch them, they reckon they were behind the rumors. 

What about the station master and his family’s mysterious death at Begunkodor Train Station? Did it really happen, or was that also a part of the legend created to scare people? For now, no evidence supporting that their death actually happened like they claim. 

Yet, despite the government’s assurances, the whispers of the supernatural persist, casting a pall of fear and unease over the station and its surroundings. People still avoid using this station after sunset and twice a week, it is said that a girl is seen running along the tracks on the same day she died. 

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References:

Begunkodor Railway Station has been reopened more than a decade ago & a few trains stop there – FACTLY 

Myth of West Bengal’s ‘haunted’ Begunkodar railway station busted after 50 years 

Begunkodor Railway Station: West Bengal’s ‘Ghost’ Railway Station That Was Closed For Four Decades 

West Bengal’s Begunkodor no longer a haunted railway station – The Hindu 

The Haunted History of Three Kings Chapel in Goa

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Despite no seemingly root in reality as the ghost story is told today, the legends about the three kings that are haunting the Three Kings Chapel in Goa keep being told and they are said to come out at night when no one is supposed to stay. 

The Three Kings Chapel on top of Cuelium hill shines white against the blue sky of Goa. The old church is also known as the Church of Our Lady of Remedies and is found in South Goa in India. The allegedly haunted church has long been associated with ghost sightings, supernatural activities, and unexplained occurrences. 

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

The church’s dark past is riddled with tales of Portuguese invaders, brutal battles, and tragic deaths that have left their mark on the very foundation of the building. The locals believe that the spirits of the fallen soldiers and innocent civilians still haunt the Three Kings Chapel making it one of the most haunted places in Goa. 

Three Kings Chapel: Source

History of Three Kings Chapel

The Three Kings Chapel was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese in the village of Cansaulim on top of a hill called Cuelim over the coconut trees below. The Portuguese invaded Goa in 1510 and defeated the Bijapur Sultanate. Portuguese rule lasted for about 450 years, and heavily influenced Goan culture, cuisine, and architecture.

The Three Kings Chapel’s original name is apparently Remedios Saibini Church or Our Lady of Remedies. It was built in 1599 by Fr Gonzalo Carvalho S.J. During this time the Portuguese Empire ruled Goa. 

Why the name was changed is uncertain though. The Three Kings Chapel refers to the three wise men in the bible that visited Baby Jesus in his crib. Every year the Christians celebrate the Feast of the Three Kings on the 6th of January that marks the end of Christmas, especially for the Spanish and Portuguese. 

The Three Kings Coming to Goa

There are many legends connected to this The Three Kings Chapel that are said to be the source of the legends and ghost stories coming from there. One being that there once were three Portuguese kings that were fighting for power in the area, or in some cases prince brothers that all fought to be the single ruling king. 

One of the Kings invited the other two for dinner once and claimed he wanted to find a peaceful solution to their quarrels. When the dinner party arrived though, he poisoned their food and declared himself king after they died. 

His plan backfired though when his brother’s supporters found out what he had done though and he was aware about the repercussions. Fearing the wrath of the other two kings supporters though, he drank the poison as well and died along with them. 

The Haunted Cemetery

Together they were all buried in the cemetery of the Three Kings Chapel. It is said that their spirits still roam around in the graveyard on top of the hill, still governing their kingdom they wanted so much and died for. 

People visiting the hill the Three Kings Chapel sits on claim to have seen something ghostly in the dark, and felt something they describe like a strong presence. 

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

The locals advise to not visit the haunted church late at night, as the story goes you will never be seen again. Some say that they only say this to keep lovers away from this secluded place though. 

There is also the legend of a tree that is outside of the church. When you leave, you must never look back at it. People are also said to get sick or if they are not baptized when visiting and so on. 

Three Kings Chapel: Source

Legends and Myths Surrounding the Church

As history goes, we do know where the Portuguese king was throughout the times, and it wasn’t in Goa. So who was supposedly quarreling by the Three Kings Chapel? Some speculate that the legend could be of a more local power struggle when the Portuguese claimed the land. Throughout the times though, the local warlords became more royal for the story’s effect.

In some sources they call the King that poisoned his brothers, King Holger Alvunge, but as it is a Scandinavian sounding name, it has most likely no base in reality. But even in old days in the Goa governance, they usually kept records, and there have been no leaders with the name of Holger Alvunge. 

There are also claims of lights coming from the haunted church that are like a ghost procession for the kings in the dead of the night, gliding around the church and coming down the hill. But that may very be during the Three Kings festival where people parade to the top throwing coins. After they usually stay back a couple with light to collect them. 

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References:

The Haunted Three Kings Chapel is not Haunted. 

Three Kings Church, Cansaulim (Goa) – Haunted Places of Goa – Holidify 

IS THE THREE KINGS CHAPEL REALLY A HAUNTED PLACE IN GOA? – That Goan Girl 

Three Kings Chapel, Goa: Is It Really Haunted? | LBB 

The Dark History and Mysterious Hauntings of Bhangarh Fort

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If you’re a fan of ghost stories and haunted places, you might have heard the supernatural tales of Bhangarh Fort. Often deemed to be the most well known haunted place in India, the fort and surrounding village is said to have been cursed to doom. 

Bhangarh Fort in the Alwar district in Rajasthan, India is known as one of the most haunted places in the world and there are even government signs warning people to stay away from the place after dark.

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

Bhangarh Fort, or भानगढ़ दुर्ग as it is in Hindi was built in 1573 century by Raja Bhagwant Das, a ruler of the Kachwaha Rajput dynasty when the surrounding town also was established and is today well preserved and frequented by tourists. 

Legend of the Hermit Curse

According to the legend, the fort has been cursed for a long time. A hermit or sadhu named Guru Balu Nath used this place for meditation and had a house there. King Raja Bhagwant Das pleaded with the sage and wanted to build the fort there. The guru agreed on one condition: the shadow of the fort would not reach him and no house should be taller than his own. 

Although King Raja Bhagwant Das agreed to this term, it wasn’t upheld and the meditation spot for the sage fell into shadow when the columns that were added later of the fort were built too high. 

Royal Palace Bhangarh: A fortress wit an entire city and palace inside although most of it is in ruins today, the Bhangarh Fort is thought to be one of India’s most haunted places in the country. //Source: Chainwit /WIkimedia

So the hermit cursed the fort and the entire Bhangarh village ended up being destroyed as seen by how there are no roofs. Before 1720 there used to live over 10 000 people in the village until the population started to dwindle and today the village is just a ghost town.

Legend of the Black Magician

This is not the only legend, and not even the only curse that is said to linger at the Bhangarh Fort. Legend has it that a sorcerer and necromancer named Singhia fell in love with the princess of Bhangarh, Ratnavati much later. 

She is often said to have been the daughter of Chatr Singh, who was the grandson of Raja Bhagwant Das. She was said to be quite beautiful and Singhia fell in love with her. He tried to use black magic to make her fall in love with him by using sorcery on the oil she used for massages. Often it is said that they met in the market place and he tried to sell it to her. But Princess Ratnavati discovered his plan and threw the oil onto a huge stone that cracked, revealing its magical powers. 

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

The stone rolled on top and crushed the magician to death. Before he died, Singhia cursed the fort and all who lived there, saying that the city would be destroyed and no one would be able to live within its walls. 

The curse came true when the fort was attacked and destroyed by the Mughal army as it was annexed by force in 1720, and it has remained close to abandoned ever since compared to its former glory.

How it turned out for the princess is uncertain, but it is said that she is haunting the Bhangarh Fort, and at night you can hear her together with the people of Bhangarh, cursed to forever be trapped in limbo as one of the spirits that comes out after sundown. 

The Supernatural Experiences Reported by Visitors and Locals

Visitors and locals alike have reported a variety of supernatural experiences at Bhangarh Fort. Some have claimed to see ghostly apparitions, while others have reported hearing strange noises and feeling a sense of unease or fear and paranoia when taking a trip around the fort. 

There have also been reports of people feeling as though they were being touched or pushed by an unseen force on the ground of the fort. 

The Archeological Survey of India has put up signs everywhere around Bhangarh Fort of not coming here after dark and before sunrise. Despite the ban on visiting the fort after dark, some still venture there in search of a supernatural thrill. According to the legends, those who do, will never return.

Although the fort is supposedly haunted, it can also be dangerous because of the dark. Something that three friends experienced when they stayed after sundown and one of them fell into a well. Although rescued from the well on the way to the hospital, they got into a road accident and died. 

The Explanation Behind the Roofless Village

There are some things that legends claim that a more natural explanation tries to debunk. When talking about the roofless village, it is said by the locals that the way they are structured, are not meant to have roofs, and if built, it would collapse. They also claim that many have died because of this. It used to be a flourishing village, but today it is deserted.

The Abandoned Ghost City: Ruins of the Royal Palace in Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan. //Radha Joshi/Wikimedia

As for why it is close to deserted today with only 1250 people remaining in 2001 in a village outside the old city limits, is a bit uncertain. After the death of Chatr Singh in 1630, it is said that it was the start of Bhangar’s slow decline. 

The deserting of the village and the fort might have something to do with the famine in 1783 that pretty quickly either drove the inhabitants away, or killed them off. 

The Current State of Bhangarh Fort

Despite its reputation as one of the most haunted places in India, Bhangarh Fort has become a popular tourist destination in recent years. The government has invested in the preservation and restoration of the fort, and visitors can now explore the ruins and learn about its history through guided tours. 

Although if you are a foreigner, you need a special permit to get into the Bhangarh Fort, a step the government took because of their disregard for the rules in the area. But do you really want to visit?

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References:

Bhangarh Fort – Wikipedia 

5 mysterious facts about Bhangarh that will scare you to bits | Times of India Travel 

12 Things to Know About Bhangarh Fort, The Most Haunted Place in India 

Ghosts of the Taj Mahal Palace — India’s Grandest Hotel

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The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai is one of the city’s most luxurious places to stay, and even through horrible tragedy and decay, it has always come out on the other side shining. Still, there are some haunted stories echoing through the halls where one of the architects is lingering as a regretful ghost. 

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai is one of the most iconic hotels in India. The five-star luxury hotel has been the preferred destination for celebrities, dignitaries, and even royalty since it was built in 1903 next to the Gateway of India. 

The hotel known as The Taj has been witness to some of the most significant events in India’s history, including being a military hospital during WWII and the country’s struggle for independence. It has also been the site of tragic incidents, such as the 2008 terrorist attacks that left the hotel scarred and at least 167 people were killed. 

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

Over the years, many guests and staff members have reported eerie experiences and sightings of ghosts roaming the halls and rooms of the hotel. From the ghost of a former chief engineer to the spirit of a young girl who drowned in the hotel’s pool, the Taj Mahal Palace’s paranormal tales continue to fascinate and intrigue visitors from all over the world. 

The History of the Taj Mahal Palace

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel was built by Jamsetji Tata, a prominent Indian industrialist, as a response to the British-only hotels in the city. The hotel was designed by Indian architect W.A. Chambers, and was opened to the public on December 16, 1903. 

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

Since then, the hotel that is named after the Taj Mahal in Agra has undergone several changes and renovations, and after a period in the 50s and 60s where it was neglected and became a bit run down, it has retained its grandeur and elegance.

The Story of the Ghost of the Architect

One of the most popular legends associated with the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is the legend of the ghost of the architect, W.A. Chambers. According to the legend, Chambers was so guilty of a mistake in his creation that he couldn’t bear to leave it even after his death. 

According to legend, he approved some blueprints of the hotel before going back to England for a short trip. When he returned to Mumbai though, he realized a mistake he had made in the design. Apparently the building was built facing the wrong way that it was intended. 

He could never let this mistake go and it is said that he took his own life by jumping from the 5th floor of the hotel. 

It is said that his spirit still roams the hotel, checking the quality of the work done by the staff. Many guests and staff members have reported seeing a man who matches Chambers’ description walking around the hotel’s corridors.

Some even claim that a staff member was knocked out by his ghost when the staff was trying to steal some of the silverware. 

Who was Really the Mastermind Behind the Taj?

Now, how much of this enduring legend of the hotel is actually true? It is true that English Engineer W.A Chambers did work on the Taj Mahal Hotel, although perhaps not as much as the legend gives him credit for. 

The project actually came from the Parsee Indian, Jamsedji Tata with a vision to build a hotel Mumbai, (Bombay at the time,) worthy and used as much steel to build the dome as the eiffel tower did. It was also the first building in Mumbai to be fully electrified. The original architects were Siddhesh S., Sitaram Khanderao Vaidya and D. N. Mirza. However, Chambers, Tata’s friend, came in and completed it after Vaidya died. 

A Seafront View: The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel with the rooms pointing out to overlook the water. Could the whole haunted story just be based on an architectural misunderstanding? Or is it really something about the rumours surrounding the Taj?

When talking about the mistake of where the hotel faces, it actually looks like it was Tata that wanted the rooms, not the entrance to look out to the sea, something very uncommon in India. Although it also made it easier for the horse carriages to pull up to the entrance. 

As for Chambers, death, well. Although not concluded with evidence, at least the reasoning for his suicide we can conclude not true. 

Check into The Taj Mahal Hotel

The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel is a grand and iconic landmark that has stood the test of time. However, behind its opulent façade lies a darker side of history, filled with spooky tales of ghosts and hauntings. The hotel has been witness to some of the most significant events in India’s history, and it continues to fascinate and intrigue visitors from all over the world.

Despite the ghostly legends that surround it, the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel remains an important symbol of India’s rich heritage and culture.

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References:

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2008/dec/03/taj-mahal-hotel-mumbai

(The Almost Complete) History of Taj Mahal Palace Hotel & Tower, Mumbai – The Creativity Engine Haunted India: The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai