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. I want to know the real story of bhangarh fort bcoz i will go in some days for visit dis place. plz gys tell me the real story.. is dis scary or not in real..??

  2. hi ,every1….well i dont kno bot bhanghar never visited tat place bt m going there nxt month…bti do belive in ghost..hv wittness 1 in dilhi cant

  3. Yes i visited bhangarh fort….i saw two girls standing beside me,it was dark at that time..i was so scared,and than i tried to see them with the help of lamp..what i found my two friends jagat and nabjita were standing there…they scared me badly……..yes i saw two ghosts…..

  4. Yes, i Visited bhanh=garh Fort and also i read Them deeply in That story that story was right but No One here Scared Bcoz This place is very siliently so mostly People scared it was nice and Amazing trip Of My

  5. Hi friends
    I like these stories. I’m believe in ghosts stories. Its really truthful. I want to go BHANGARH but not alone if anybody want to go with me can contact me by mail at [email protected]
    I know that BHOOT PRET hote hain.This is truth

  6. If anybody interested to go with me at bhaangarh fort in dis winter. Pls cntct me.If anybody interested to go with me at bhaangarh fort in dis winter. Pls cntct me. 9602226696

  7. Its really true.
    But must go there, I am visiting this place since 1995

    You must visit NARAYANI MATA TEMPLE. this is hardly 5 km far from Bhangarh ( Ajabgarh)
    Jarur jayiye, dil ko sukun milege
    Yadav
    9953326486

  8. i visited Bhangarh in the month of fab in 2011 . this is really a very beautiful place.
    mind blowing experience of visiting there i have.

  9. Tis is butyful plac in otrs thn
    yaha pe ye sab kuch tha or hai yaha pe jpr ka old map hai
    jisky baad me jpr bana tha but big size me or yaha ki kai storys hai wo sab yaha pe aany ke baad me pta chalega or agr aana ho to yaha ke local se yaha ki srorys pta kro tis is vry intresting storys i like this place

  10. hi my name is mayank basically i am from kanpur but now i am working in delhi i want to go bhangarh af any wants to come with me than most welcome i will leave from delhi on 16/11/12 to ajmer after that i will go to bhangarh i am so excited to go plz contact me on my number 09891880873 call me

  11. hi,

    Jo bhi ye manata hai ki bhangarh mai bhoot nahi hai to maan lo wahan per sachi mai bhoot hai maira Born (JANAM) wahi ke najdiki village mai hua tha wahan per sachi mai bhoot hai. (Soochne wali baat ye hai ki wahan per koi bhi cleaning nahi kerta phir bhi wahan kitna saf hai) is liye maan lo wahan kuch to hai. but kuch bhi hai wahan jaker bahout aacha lagta hai (Because Always Bhangarh look like Heaven.)

  12. hi
    maine bhi bhangarh ke bare main suna tha so hum 3-4dosto ne bha jane ka plan bnaya aur 5pm dehli se nikal pade bhangarh ke liya hum ne drink leni stat ki aur bhangsrh ka rasta rajsthani logo se pucha to koi bhi rasta btane ke liye tyar hi nhi tha jis ke chalte hum kafi aage nikal gaye *fir u turn lene ke bad jab hum bhangarh ki sima main enter huye to bhot tej baris suru hone lagi gadi ke aage kuch najar nhi aa rha tha *achnak hamare aage ek admi ko dekha jab hamane brek lagai bo admi kafi piahe rah gaya tha achanak hamaere samne tha hamne us se kile ka rasta pucha to us ka hath kile ki tarf lamba hota chala gaya jis karan hamari sari pi hui utar gai aur hum non stop dehli bhage

  13. hay frendz…..
    I m heard about this fort its very intresting n there4 i wana go there becouse i had sae the FEAR FILES episode at last night which is shooted on the ULKA GUPTA(actress of the zansi ki rani) she and her team also face the same sitiation on this place….
    And i m agree with this….

  14. Its just a horrebel place
    i loved rajasthan bt bhangarh…
    Logo ke boli hui bhout se storys hai bt such kya hai allah jane bt very honestly
    i loved to know about this place
    so if i ever got a chance to visit that place i nvr missed that oppornaty

  15. kal rat ko me vaha ruka aur kal se me bahut dara hua hu ye sach hai vaha koi v nahi ruk sakta par me kabhi bhoot se nahi darta me vaha fir se jana chata hu par kuch dino baad

  16. Hi,
    i m sure that there is some kind of supernatural power prevailing in the fortress of bhangarh. After seeing the episode in fear files m dead sure that myths related to bhangarh can’t be fake

  17. MY BROTHER ALSO EXPERIENCED SAME IN BILASPUR (hp) not bhangarh…. a man without head at 12 30 when he was cropping with threasher..l.l he even hadnot experience same in his entire life… but atthat time he shocked when he faced and looked at that man

  18. this place is not haunted ….but extremely interesting…If I ever had a chance to visit there I will be grateful

  19. bhan garh ki sachchi story zee tv ke programme fear files jo ki sanivaar aur sunday ko aata hai me bhi dikayee gayi thi jo ki jhanshi ki raani ki shooting ke samay us programme ki main heroine ke saath ghatith hui thi saare shoot member ne is baat ko
    sweekar kiya tha. heroine jo shooting ke baad galti se raat me usi fort me rah gayi thi.

  20. are ye ho skta h k wha pr chor ya daku ne kabja kr liya ho or ve hi logo ko marte ho indian govt ko wha nsg commando lga dene chahiye pta krne k liye kyuki agr wha bhut h to fr mre hue logo ki lash to milni chahiye ti bhut insani body ka kya krenge bhla

  21. really wanted to go and visit the place
    camera lake jayege aur bhoot k saath photo click karinge aur video shoot kareinge and film bhi banainge aur film ka naam hoga’???????????????’abe visit to karnedo……..coomin soon

  22. Ha yar bhanghad mai bhoot – pret ka saya ha. Mai ajay kumar bainada peechupara kalan ( dausa). Vo rajsthan ki dekhane yogy jagah h or abhaneri bhi dekhne layak jagah h. Ajay ,rinku,neeraj,yogesh.

Leave a Reply to i am back Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *