Bhangarh Fort – Ruins in Rajasthan, India Haunted by Ghosts

The ruins of Bhangarh Fort in the Rajasthan state in India are known for being the most hunted place in this south Asian country. While it’s understandable that not all people believe in ghosts, there are warnings at all entry points to the Bhangarh Fort advising people not to venture into the city at night. In fear that something terrible could happen, some of the signs posted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) not only advise against, but literally prohibit visitors from entering Bhangarh Fort at night. The sign reads in Indian language: “Entering the borders of Bhangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited.” If you are a ghost hunter or like visiting mysterious places, especially those known to be haunted by ghosts, then Bhangarh Fort deserves a solid spot on your “Must Visit Before I Die” list.

Bhangarh Fort - Ruins of the City Haunted by Ghosts, Photo: Findsiddiqui
Bhangarh Fort - Ruins of the City Haunted by Ghosts, Photo: Findsiddiqui

Bhangarh Fort Location

Abandoned fortress of Bhangarh is located between the Pink City of Jaipur – the capital of Rajasthan and Alwar, a city in the same state located about 160 km south of Delhi. Rajasthan is located in the north-west of India and it’s country’s largest state. You can see exact location of the Bhangarh Fort on the interactive, navigable map below (provided by Google Maps TM).

How to Get to Bhangarh

Nearby cities of Jaipur and Alwal are great starting points as they are major metropolitan hubs and are easy to get to. If you are already in India, you can take a train to either city, or if your budget allows, you can fly in instead. Regular bus service leaves for Bhangarh Ruins but requires about a kilometer of walking because nearest bus stop is not directly at the ruin. Another option is to take private taxes which are more expensive than buses, but get you there faster and at a time convenient to you.

The Bhangarh Story

The story (and the history) of the Bhangarh began in the year of 1573 when the fortress was established. Built by Raja Bhagawant Das – the ruler of the city of Amber, Bhangarh Fort has become the residence of Madho Singh, ruler’s second son who fought alongside his father and brother in many wars. The decline of Bhangarh Fort started in 1630 after Chhatr Singh, son of Madho Singh got killed in a violent attack. The decline continued until 1783 when the fortress and the city were completely abandoned following that year’s famine.

Bhangarh Fort Located Within Lush Forest, Photo: Tushar Pokle, Flickr
Bhangarh Fort Located Within Lush Forest, Photo: Tushar Pokle, Flickr

The Bhangarh Myths

According to one of the myths, Bhangarh was cursed by Guru Balu Nath (Baba Balanath), who originally sanctioned the construction but warned that his sacred meditating place lies nearby and should the palace reach the size which would cast a shadow big enough to reach his forbidden retreat, the city would fall into ruin. Ignorant of the warning, Ajab Singh – one of dynasty’s descendants raised the palace to a height that cast the shadow on the Balu Nath’s retreat and the city was cursed.

Another myth talks about princess Ratnavati who was so beautiful she had no match in all of Rajasthan. Marriage proposals came coming, but one day she was spotted by a tantric named Singha Sevra who was so bewildered by her beauty, he decided to use his black magic to get to her. As he was spying on the princess, he saw her servant buying perfumes for her. The tantric used the opportunity and put a black magic spell on the lotion which was supposed to draw the princess to him upon initial use.

His intentions were uncovered by a person loyal to the princess who informed her of bewitched lotion. The princess took the bottle and smashed it against the rock which came to life and rolled over the tantric killing him. Before he died, he laid a curse on entire land which came to be the following year during battle between Bhangarh and Ajabgarh. All who dwelt in Bhangarh died, including the princess.

There are several other myths and legends that explain the reasons why the fort was abandoned overnight and never re-inhabited, but they all revolve around the fact that the city was cursed and is now haunted by ghosts.

Bhangarh Fort Ruins, Photo: Findsiddiqui, Flickr
Bhangarh Fort Ruins, Photo: Findsiddiqui, Flickr

The Bhangarh Ghosts

The Government of India wanted to put the myth of ghosts haunting the Bhangarh Ruin to rest by deploying the military to patrol the fort at night. However, none of the Indian military personnel dared to participate in this ghost busting operation because the belief that it’s haunted by ghosts is so deep. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the official government body responsible for maintenance of monuments and ruins throughout the country officially recognizes the Bhangarh Fort as a place haunted by ghosts. Because of that, no accommodation if offered within the ruins and even the office of ASI was built at a safe distance from the fort, instead of within it as is the case of other similar sites.

Ghost Town of Bhangarh Video

In this video documentary, the Voice of America correspondent Steve Herman reports on the Ghost Town of Bhangarh, haunted by the spirits of the dead:

Even though Bhangarh is deserted at night, locals report that strange noises, including music and dancing can be heard coming from the ruins of the fort. The access to Bhangarh is regulated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and by their rule, it is illegal to enter Bhangarh at night. However, several people did make an entry during forbidden hours just to get a sense of thrill associated with being in one of world’s most haunted places. Bhangarh Fort offers superior opportunities for mystery and ghost hunters to experience the ultimate adrenaline rush. The restless spirit of the magician who cursed the land watches over Bhangarh from a nearby hill during the day and comes down at night in search of a ghost of his beloved princess. Welcome to the world of Ghost Tourism.

149 thoughts on “Bhangarh Fort – Ruins in Rajasthan, India Haunted by Ghosts”

  1. yahan sahi mai bhoot hai ya yahan koi na aaye isi kaaran ye bhoot ka naatak waha kiya ja raha ho.

  2. If there is really ghost than i must go there because i am very excited to know that which kind of situation is there and how i feel over there. but that is true that there must be ghost.as i strongly believe. i am now studing in jaipur so i will go there as soon.
    08058215313

  3. yaha par amavaus ki night ko midnight me 12:00 baje boot dikhega.ganam patri rashi lio.vale nahi aai.

  4. Hi,

    I am from Bangalore, looking forward to go to Bhangarh for studying Paranormal Activity, Photography, EVP recordings.

    Any of you who are with similar interests mail me [email protected] ,

    Disclaimer : Only people who aware of risks involved, and are serious about studying paranormal, we are not planning to go there for fun.

    Thanks

  5. yar kuch na kuch to h yaha par ab chahe who bhoot ho ya kuch super natural prower
    par kuch h, sun rise hone k baad kuch hota h yaha par nahi to yaha par kafi logo ne apne ghar apni jamin chodh di h who yu he to nahi chodi hogi mai to bolta hu hum sab ko ek team bana kar yaha par research karni chahiye akhir h kya yaha par asa

  6. main whan gaya tha likin maine waha aisa kuch nahi dekha jo suna tha haa waha par ek four squre sigrate aur whiski padi thi

  7. Hi,

    This is all fake stories there is no Ghost as such,the area is very beautifull.I think this fake story is made to protect the beauty of this place.
    Last year I went there with my team and stayed there almost Till 6:30 PM,it was all dark at that time and there was no GHOST there!!!.

  8. Let us go there, enjoy the nature, learn out history, also experience what place has to say..
    keep the stories aside, we go ourselves and experience it..

  9. I do want to go there for seeing whats there or not? But it seems to be very scary too. Dont want to be there after dark. If millitary personnel dont dare to go there at night, so how can we be that much strong to face such kind of things whether they exist or not?

  10. sir, the stories depicted are not even very near to the truth which i heard from my driver in the year 1982. i had been there at BHANGARH PALACE RUINS. It`s a beautiful place ful of nature`s lust, lovely for romance, all over peace, nature on its full youth in rainy seaon , everyone love to stay & enjoy the place.
    the story told by our driver was that the King of Bhangarh & his queen were playing CHAUSAR(a game ofgambling as well as time pass, enjoyment). King used his turn by throughing the PASSA, start waitingfr queen`s turn. As the queen brings her hand, water falls from her hand(though the Queen was sitting in front of king) The king (Raja) asked queen how this water comes out of hand? She asked him not to think of it but to carry on play, king insisted too much, queen told that SHIP Of a SETH( a big bussiness man)was drowning in deep sea waters, he was asking for help. So queen just bring out drowning ship with her hand that`s why it was wet & water falls out on CHAUSAR, he should not think much about it.
    after lapse of time a SETH came to the palace & told the Raja that his ship was drowning in deep sea waters , he remembered the queen for help & also promised to see her with gifts after reaching safe home. So he came to see the queen & to present her all the gifts. Raja`s mind striked with the above story of falling water from queen`s hand. He was frightened of the magical power of queen though she never harm anybody , she use to help all needy in troubles. queen was quite kind hearted.
    The Raja discussed whole story with his wazir( secretary) . They the queen will over power them or get the Raja murdered, so they decided to get rid of queen. they left hungary tigers arround her while she use to pray in temple but to dismay of Raja tigers only licked her feet istead of harming her. the queen understood bad intention of Raja. Then raja called a Bengali Tantric ( ablack magic player) who happened to be in love of the queen for extraordinary beauty. Bengali Tantric gave mantrit oil to the Raja & asked him that the queen applies it on her body after bath on a fixed day. Queen understood whole story, she took the oil & throw it on a big stone (SHILLA) & ASKED HER SERVANT THAT SEND THE MESSAGE ALL THROUGH PLALACE THAT WHO SO EVER WANT TO REMAIN ALIVE , LEAVE THE PALACE BEFORE SUNSET AFTER WORDS WHOLE CITY WILL CONVERT INTO STONES. When mantrit oil falls on SHILLA it flew away to the Bengali Tantrik where he was waiting for the queen on top of a hill, Shilla falls on Benali Tantrik , he died, by that time sun was setting those who the palace gone away & rest all livings left were converted into stones. SO IT WAS CURSE OF THE QUEEN WHICH CONVERTS THE PALACE `S ALL HUMANS INTO STONES NOT THAT OF BENGALI TANTRIC. MORE OVER THE TANTRIKS WHO HARM OTHER`S CANNOT BE SO POWERFUL TO CURSE A CITY TO CONVERT INTO STONES.
    SO THIS THE NARRATION , I M NT REMEMBERING NAME OF kING & qUEEN TOLD BY MY DRIVER MOTI RAM AT THAT TIME.

  11. BHANGARGARH FORT OF GHOSTS: A STORY AS I HEARD

    sir, the stories depicted are not even very near to the truth which i heard from my driver in the year 1982. i had been there at BHANGARH PALACE RUINS. Its a beautiful place full of natures lust, lovely for romance, all over peace, nature on its full youth in rainy season , everyone love to stay & enjoy the place.
    the story told by our driver was that the King of Bhangarh & his queen were playing CHAUSAR(a game of gambling as well as time pass, enjoyment). King used his turn by throwing the PASSA, start waiting for queens turn. As the queen brings her hand, water falls from her hand (though the Queen was sitting in front of king) King (Raja) asked queen how this water comes out of hand? She asked him not to think of it but to carry on play, king insisted too much, queen told that SHIP Of a SETH( a big business man)was drowning in deep sea waters, he was asking for help. So queen just bring out drowning ship with her hand that`s why it was wet & water falls out on CHAUSAR, he should not think much about it.
    after lapse of time a SETH came to the palace & told the Raja that his ship was drowning in deep sea waters , he remembered the queen for help & also promised to see her with gifts after reaching safe home. So he came to see the queen & to present her all the gifts. Raja`s mind strike with the above story of falling water from queen`s hand. He was frightened of the magical power of queen though she never harm anybody, she use to help all needy in troubles. queen was quite kind hearted.
    The Raja discussed whole story with his wazir( secretary) . They the queen will over power them or get the Raja murdered, so they decided to get rid of queen. they left hungary tigers around her while she use to pray in temple but to dismay of Raja tigers only licked her feet instead of harming her. The queen understood bad intention of Raja. Then raja called a Bengali Tantric ( a black magic player) who happened to be in love of the queen for extraordinary beauty. Bengali Tantric gave mantrit oil to the Raja & asked him that the queen applies it on her body after bath on a fixed day. Queen understood whole story, she took the oil & throw it on a big stone (SHILLA) & ASKED HER SERVANT THAT SEND THE MESSAGE ALL THROUGH PLALACE THAT WHO SO EVER WANT TO REMAIN ALIVE , LEAVE THE PALACE BEFORE SUNSET AFTER WORDS WHOLE CITY WILL CONVERT INTO STONES. When mantrit oil falls on SHILLA it flew away to the Bengali Tantrik where he was waiting for the queen on top of a hill, Shilla falls on Bengali Tantrik , he died, by that time sun was setting those who the palace gone away & rest all livings left were converted into stones. SO IT WAS CURSE OF THE QUEEN WHICH CONVERTS THE PALACE `S ALL HUMANS INTO STONES NOT THAT OF BENGALI TANTRIC. MORE OVER THE TANTRIKS WHO HARM OTHER`S CANNOT BE SO POWERFUL TO CURSE A CITY TO CONVERT INTO STONES.
    SO THIS THE NARRATION , I M NT REMEMBERING NAME OF KING & QUEEN TOLD BY MY DRIVER MOTI RAM AT THAT TIME.
    DATE 21/07/2010 TIME: 7:04 PM JAIPUR

  12. dear ye sab sunkar mera bhi dil hai ki main bhi bhangarh joo aur enjoy karo but bhoot se nahi milna chati.only enjoy..

  13. dear main vaha gai thi but pahle aisa kuch nahi pata tha ki vaha koi bhoot hoga.main apne frds ke sath kafi enjoy kiya but mera frds ne mujhe daray a bhi but main nahi dari becoz main chati hu ki main milo unse fir us feeling ko auro se share karo..

  14. yanha par real me gost h .m yanha last may me hi gaya tha hmne yanha rat ko 8pm par hi dekha ki andar koi light jala raha h or bache ki rone ku aawaj bhi sunai di tab hum wanha se chal diye . tab hame ehsas hua ki real me yanha par gost h .

  15. Hi,,,,,,,,all
    I am Sunil Tnawar form Gurgaon and belive in everything like ghost and god etc,,,
    as I heard about Bhangarh its really good place to visit if you want to do any adventer in life .
    we are visited it last week its really nice place,,,,,so Let us go there, enjoy the nature, learn out history, also experience what place has to say..
    keep the stories aside, we go ourselves and experience it..

  16. hi………….
    main waha 3 baar ja chuka hu mgr waha pe kuch bhi aisa nhi tha ho sakta hai waha pe bhoot ho mgr humne aisa kuch mehsus nhi kiya….
    ha jab hum last bar gye the tb koi tantrik waha pe kisi orat ke andar se bhutni nikal rha tha. humne uski chori se video clip banayi jo mere pas hai..
    usko dekh ke laga k yaha kuch to hai……….

    Is jagah me Kuch to sacchi hai……..SUNNY

  17. Main bhangarh gaya lekin mujhe bhoot dikhai nahi dia, ho sakta hai ki main din me gya islie lekin main wahan dobara jana chahta hun. Ye jagah sach me bahut darawni hai

  18. tum sab jaake aaye ho ya jaane ki plaaning kar rhe ho……mein waha har raat jata hu….wahi rehta hu picle 6 months se……nd waha pe wo sb hota he jo is tej badti duniya mein tum log soch bhi nhi skte ho…….faltu ki baatein karna band karo…ye galat he

  19. londo mast place hai or believe me really haunting i thnk but this all take place after night at 11:30 as i felt.the feeling of stones and the horrifying sound that i have heard over there.according to me i suggest that u should not be alone over there u should be in group then nothing will harm u…if any thing happen with u.plz try to leave place immediately.enjoy guys padh do bhooto ki….

  20. Hi Friends,

    My friends r also planning to go…..dekho ye sab mazaak nahin hai….if u have really experienced these things then only it’s good to tell…if someone has actually stayed there at night and has really experienced these things then only its good to tell…otherwise, jhoothi kahaaniyaan can b very harmful for any third person who actually wanna go there…….so please leave true experiences….and as per me…agar indian government ne kisi jagah ko haunted place ka naam diya hai to ismein kuch to sach hoga hi……

  21. yaro mai vaha jane ki soch raha hu vaise mera manana hai ki bhut vagairah hamara bhram hota hai aur jaha tak jane ki bat hai to mai jald hi hanymoon k liya jane wala hu biwi rahi to biwi k sath na rahi to bhoot k sath

  22. i just went thru ol dese columns nd many ppl has written dat dr r no ghost or spirits in dis fort i.e d bhangarh fort.
    i dont know anybody else’s experience but i just wanna tl dose ppl whu think dat dese things r rumors nd dr r no paranormal activities in dis fort jus wanna tl dat dese things r nt fake.
    i hv been to dr once wid ma frnds we were vry excited nd wantd to c whether ol dese things r true or nt.
    we rchd dr at arnd 2 p.m nd no1 ws dr nt even birds nd animals. we parked r car 1 kms away frm d fort nd went thru dat instructions board which ws d first warning fr us bt v tuk it lightly.
    we v singing nd walking thru d area nd suddenly a women came in r way she ws sitting jus beneath d tree nd ws teaching her daughter we tried to ignore her bt she passed a smile to us nd we thought dat surely dis z nt a ghost so v clicked pichas wid her nd her daughter nd askd many ques regarding dese stories nd villagers spreading rumors nd she evn said dat dese stories r nt fake it’s ol true den we went frm dr nd after arnd 2-3 mins she cld us nd v turned bak nd i swear she ws nt dr v searched her everywhr nd den dose ol things hppnd vich v didn’t wantd. v ol ran away frm dr at dat point of time. dat ws d first experience v had dr.Then v went ahead nd placed r mats nd started eating nd wr trying to frgt d incidence after a while v ol wr normal bec till den v understood dat ol dese things r nt fake nd v accpetd it.
    As dusk ws taking place slowly slowly v wr rele vry worried as v planned to stay dr at nite as wl
    ,sm of us wr in favour of staying dr nd sm wrn’t bt still v decided to spend nite dr only.
    Suddenly an old man came wid his goats nd ws walking vry slowly wid d help of a stick.
    He came to us nd askd fr sm water nd v gave it to him he sat wid us nd told us to leave dis place b4 sunset nd ws busy in telling us d strange stories related wid d fort. After listening to his stories v decided nt to spend d nit in d fort nd v packed everything nd started walking bak.
    After 10 mins d same man met us again on d way nd v smiled nd tld him dat v r going bak, so he
    Said y u telling dis to me, v tld him dat u only told us dat dnt live her after sunset so v r going nd immediately he said dat do i knw u ppl, i hvn’t seen u ever nd he left den suddenly v hold eachother’s hands nd ran away frm dat place.
    i hv sm pichas of dat fort v didn’t noticed sm unusual things at dat time bec dat wr unvisible bt wen v got d photographs developed in dose pics only dr r 3 shadows standing along wid us.
    if ne1 interested to c those pichas mail me at [email protected]

  23. hey iss dere ny1 ho cn cum wid me to bhangarh fort ,, m dieng to go deir ….m addy 4m delhi …ny1 girl or a boy no mattr …cntct me 9711940084 dat ma numbr …m a decent guy dng animation m 21

  24. Hi did any of u guys go there, I would love to go but I live in London and may be visiting in Feb so I will tell u all my adventure when I get back

  25. Hi
    Dears i m Mahendra i belong from Rajasthan Jaipur Distric. I theink ki waha aisa kuch bhi nahi hai agar hota to apni govt. jarur kuch na kuch karti or ab tak to uski movie bhi aa jati. so dont faith any stories.

  26. ghost wost nahin hote yeh sab sirf naa tak hai bcoz when i was posted at alwar as dcp post[actually i m an ips officer ]tht’s the month of june iwas to leave to jaipur and my jypsy was being struck at bhan garh .iwas not aware abt the …….to be contnd

  27. mera brother and uncle gaye the waha. unhone photos li but bhangarh city k andar ki photos blank ayi and bahar ki photos clear . unhone bataya waha kuch strange negativity thi.

  28. hii….frnds
    waha pe bhi kuch rules follow kerne padhte hai….aapne frnds se direct naam leke baat kerni chahiye…taaki koi aur aapke saath naa chal pade….its a true …waha bhoot hain….

  29. I tnk all dis stories r crtd so dat peple get curious & visit dat place. Dis mite be publicity stunt. So ignore those stories & if u wnt go thr only 2 njoy its beauty.

  30. its not just like that all is wrong me waha gai thi waha koi bhut nai hai sab bewkuf bana rahe hai waha koi bhu nai hai mene apna 5000 rs spend kiya ye to wahi bat ho gai khoda pahar nikli chuhiya. koi mat jana time waste karne

  31. hi all,

    agar us place par bhoot hai ya or kuch i don’t know but i know that bhoot hote hai jaha bhagwan hai to aatma bhi hai jo abhi bhi aapna aim nahi bhooli hai,

    thanks
    pankaj
    9718569393

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