Is Bhangarh Fort Haunted?


Do you believe in ghosts? Have you ever explored haunted sites in India?

Whether you believe it or not, several people have claimed that they have been vis-a-vis the supernatural. Their experiences do remind us that not everything is explanatory and that there lies a mystery that still remains unraveled.

Scientific studies have put forward a controversial theory, according to which a world co-exists with us on a different plane that we cannot perceive with our senses. However, sometimes the demarcating barrier between the unworldly and earthly dissolves, through which we can catch glimpses into the supernatural.

Narrating such tales of ghostly experiences and misadventures, we bring you information on one of the most haunted sites in India: Bhangarh Fort.

Besides exploring the haunted fort in India and understanding why it remains deserted to this day, this article will also help you to delve into its rich history.

Brace yourselves for you are going to experience the haunted ghost story of the Bhangarh fort.

Bhangarh Fort

Bhangarh Fort (Bhangarh ka kila in Hindi), situated in the hills of Aravalli (Alwar, Rajasthan) is one of the most haunted forts in India. It lies at the boundary of the Sariska Tiger Reserve and is widely known for being a ghostly site that also attracts hoards of tourists during the daytime.

The ASI has put up boards in the area warning strictly that no one should venture the area before sunrise and after sunset (6 p.m to 6 a.m), not following which will result in legal action taken against the miscreants. Additionally, there is not a single office of the ASI in the vicinity of a historic place such as Bhangarh. This surely cues a mysterious tale that awaits those who visit the haunted fort of India.

Experiences at Bhangarh (Bhangarh ka kila)

Bhangarh fort (or Bhangarh ka kila) at night becomes a hotbed for paranormal activities post sundown. This situation has been the same for over two centuries. People have claimed to hear strange noises and an uninviting feeling of being watched constantly.

The air seems to be surcharged with negativity and gloom. Bhangarh Fort exudes such a negative aura that merely knowing about it alone gives chills to the reader, let alone sightseeing the fort. These deserted ruins seem to wake up at night that narrates a sad and uneasy tale of cursed events. Bhargarh Fort is dipped in the strangest of tales and the sensationalist of all gossip.

That is what scares every local and the nearest villages are all quite a distance from Bhangarh fort. The locals also claim that they had heard wailing noises and the crashing sound of bangles breaking at night. These men and women even saw apparitions roaming the fort premises.

Several people claim that the fort is full of strange occurrences that could not be perceived by the human brain. People who dared to venture in the night never returned to tell their tale. Either they went missing or died in freakish accidents.

Once three daredevils decided to explore the haunted fort at night, but as fate would have it, one of them fell into a deep well despite being equipped with a torch. Although rescued and rushed to a hospital, the trio died in a car accident during their journey.

What quirks everyone is that all the houses in the vicinity of the fort are roofless. It is said that as soon as someone tries to build a roof above the house, it somehow collapses. This unexplainable event explains it all. There is surely some invisible force that wants Bhangarh to remain deserted forever. Whatever lies within surely doesn't want to be disturbed by the living.

You can even read Bhangarh Fort reviews before planning for your trip.

Foreigners have disregarded rules in the past which is why they need a special permit to explore the fort premises. In the past, this same disregard for rules has brought them into the mouth of danger.

Bhangarh Fort is truly wrapped in mystery and only those who venture into the night have been able to lift the veil to reveal what lies beyond. However, sadly they never returned to narrate those tales of misadventure.

Why Bhangarh is Cursed?

Two popular tales are doing the rounds as to why Bhangarh is deserted. Although twisted in narration, these tales are based on curses inflicted by men of power and influence. Let us read these two gripping stories.

1. There lived a puissant ascetic, Balu Nath whose injunction was that no dwelling should cast a shadow over his hut. On this account, Bhagwant Das was allowed to build the fort. However, unheeding the words of Balu Nath, Bhagwant Das's ambitious grandson Ajab Singh erected columns that cast a shadow over the ascetic's dwelling. This infuriated the sage and he cursed the entire town of Bhangarh.

As a result, a famine broke out in 1783 that destroyed many lives. Another war broke out between the inhabitants of Bhangarh and Ajabgarh that destroyed the residents of the area. Not a single soul survived and that's how the fort was deserted overnight. What few people will tell you is that the ruins also house the tomb of the ascetic.

2. Another popular tale surrounding Bhangarh was that Ratnavati, the daughter of Chatr Singh was so enchantingly beautiful that countless men desired to possess her. One such necromancer (tantrik) named Singhia was so mesmerized by her beauty that he replaced a scent with a love potion while Ratnavati was buying certain items from the market.

However, the princess got a whiff of the event and threw the love potion over a large boulder which then rolled over and crushed the tantrik under its weight. For the same reason that the love potion would overpower those who will come across it, the boulder destroyed the evil necromancer. Thus, sorcery led to the doom of Singhia and in return, he cursed Princess Ratnavati and the entire town of Bhangarh prophesizing that no one would be able to live in peace in the area. The princess died when Bhangarh suffered a calamitous defeat at the hands of Ajabgarh troops.

As per folklore, the dissatisfied soul of the greedy tantric still haunts the fort in search of the princess. It is believed that the rebirth of Ratnavati would perhaps purge the area from the claws of curses.

If you visit this fort and hire a guide or ask locals, you will be flooded with hoards of such spooky tales. Surely, listening to these tales while exploring the haunted fort will be an experience worth remembering.

What is Bhangarh Fort?



Bhangarh Fort is mostly a ruined fort in the village of Bhangarh that was constructed in 1573 AD by Bhagwant Singh (ruler of Amber) for his son Madho Singh who was the brother of Man Singh, renowned as one of the Navratnas (9 jewels) of Akbar's court.

There are five main gateways (Delhi Gate, Ajmeri Gate, Phulbari Gate, Hanuman Gate, and Lahori Gate) surrounding the area that allows entry into the fort area.

One can also see many temples like Hanuman Temple, Keshav Rai Temple, Ganesh Temple, Mangladevi Temple, Gopinath Temple, Someshwara Temple, etc.

The Hanuman Temple is right at the entrance to Bhangarh Fort.

One may pay their respects to Lord Hanuman (the slayer of ghosts and demons) before venturing into the haunted havelis, marketplace, and the king's palace that succeeds one another as one progresses up into the most haunted fort in India.

These temples provide some relief from the feelings of anxiety that creeps inside onlooking visitors.

The area around Someshwara temple is housed in a natural spring that falls into a nearby pond.

The 1 km road to Bhangarh Fort is unpaved.

Bhangarh had 9000 houses but the population dwindled during the famine.

Banyan trees invade the walls of the ruins of the fort and grow unhindered. These oldest and most magnificent banyas trees with their intermittent long manes add a spooky aura to the place.


Historical Significance of Bhangarh Fort



Apart from being a haunted site, Bhangarh Fort's history is exquisite as visitors continue to marvel at its architecture and carvings.

Archaeologists have unearthed stone paintings and tools used by people in the past.

The Gopinath Temple is the largest of all temples situated atop a raised plinth and constructed of yellow stone.

Bhangarh Fort's temples are of excellent craftsmanship and display exquisite stone carvings.

The priest's abode, the dancer's haveli, and the marketplace are all in ruins.

The premises of the fort are also covered with broken stones and masonry.

Although the fort is in ruins, visitors can explore at least three stories of the king's palace.

The temple which remains intact to this day is the Someshwara temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

The fort is modeled after the Shahjahanabad Fort in New Delhi.

What is the ticket price for Bhangarh?

The ticket price for Bhangarh Fort is INR 25 for Indians and INR 200 for foreigners and video filming.

How to reach Bhangarh?

Bhangarh is 220 km away from Delhi and 90km away from Jaipur.

The nearest airport to Bhangarh is Jaipur International Airport and the nearest railway stations are Bhan Kari and Dausa.

You may take the Shatabdi Express to Alwar from Delhi and then continue to travel by road.

Road trips will provide you with a picturesque view of the place.

Opting for a local bus is fair if you are on a budget trip but keep in mind that these buses will not go all the way to the fort entrance.

Moreover, it is advised to bring pre-packed food as there are no restaurants near Bhangarh. However, you may find Dhabas (local food outlets) during the journey.

Some of the names of restaurants close to Bhangarh are:

Hotel Sariska Palace
S H Ganesh Pavitra Bhojanalaya
Zodiac Restaurant
Cafe Coffee Day

Some of the best hotels and resorts near Bhangarh are:

Prime Neelkanth Forest Retreat (19.2 km from Bhangarh Fort)
Utsav Camp Sariska (25.2 km from Bhangarh Fort)
in Achrol
Achrol Niwas, A Treehouse Hotel, Jaipur(34.3 km from Bhangarh Fort)
Shiv Vilas Resort (37.3 km from Bhangarh)
Umaid Palace - An Organic Retreat (27.2 km from Bhangarh Fort)
Le Meridien Jaipur Resort & Spa
(40 km from Bhangarh Fort)
The Sariska Retreat (36.7 km from Bhangarh Fort)
Hathi Mauja (41.6 km from Bhangarh Fort)

If you are preferring to night stay at a place near Bhangarh Fort, book hotels in Alwar, Delhi, or Jaipur.

It is ideal to visit Bhangarh between October to February, during the winter season.

Wrap up!

Bhangarh Fort is one of the haunted forts of India that never fails to pique the interest of every reader. Bhangarh's story of cursed events is indeed spooky that unsettles all listeners. Tourists plan their trip to Bhangarh pinning all their hopes to confirm if Bhangarh is truly a haunted place. We cannot say for sure what lies within but we may give the place a visit (except in the wee hours), not just to feel cheap thrills but also to explore the architectural wonder that the fort truly is.

What are your thoughts on Bhangarh Fort? Do you feel it is haunted or do you think these stories are all fabricated?

Let me know in the comment section below.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

10 Benefits of Bhujangasana and How to Do It?

World Rabies Day 2024: Facts and Significance

Top 5 Foods for a Healthy Skin