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Rajasthan, the northwestern state of India, is home to some of the oldest and most majestic palaces and forts. As a result, the state is a treasure trove of lavish architecture and ancient history. But, besides its magnificent archaeological wonders, Rajasthan is also widely known for the Bhangarh Fort — famous for being “the most haunted place in India”.
A tall and magnificent ancient structure, Bhangarh Fort is situated in Rajasthan’s Alwar district. It sits on the border of the Sariska Tiger Reserve. The fort dates back to around the 16th or 17th century and was built by Raja Bhagwant Singh, the ruler of Amber, for his son Madho Singh. The archaeological marvel was annihilated during a war, and today, the region is a land of ruins, but the fort is well preserved. The Bhangarh Fort ghost stories have captured imaginations for generations. Here are some of them.
1. Curse of Guru Balu Nath
It is believed that Guru Balu Nath’s curse led to the destruction of Bhangarh Fort. The land on which the fort is built originally belonged to sage Nath, but he gave it to the Amber ruler on the latter’s insistence. Sage Nath, however, put forth a condition before handing over the land. He said that the palace’s shadow should never fall on his house or else there would be a great tragedy. The king agreed to the condition but did not pay heed to it. He built the fort with grandeur and zeal, which resulted in the region’s destruction. Many locals believe it is the sage’s curse that led to the loss.
2. Repercussion of lust
Another Bhangarh Fort horror story attributes its spookiness to the consequences of lust. Princess Ratnavati of Bhangarh was an enigmatic and beautiful woman. Her beauty captivated a tantric, and the repercussion of his passion led to the destruction of Bhangarh. According to folklore, the tantric put a black magic spell on Princess Ratnavati’s oil. She got a whiff of his trickery and threw the oil to the boulders. After that, the people of Bhangarh began experiencing many supernatural activities.
3. Strange construction
The houses of Bhangarh Fort do not have a roof. Many locals state that it is impossible to build a roof in the houses because they collapse due to Guru Balu Nath’s curse. It has cost several people their life, which is why the homes of the fort are roofless.
4. Archaeological importance
Bhangarh Fort is home to many stone paintings and tools of historical significance. These were discovered by the many archaeologists that spent time in the haunted fort.
5. Ghastly screams
Tourists can visit Bhangarh Fort but only during the day. The place is closed after sunset. According to reports, staying in Bhangarh during the dark can prove fatal. A few years ago, two boys who spent the night in the region went missing. Locals also claim to hear strange screams from the fort at night. They believe ghosts roam the fort after sunset.
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