10 Mysterious Places in India To Visit in 2024

Do you know that India, a land of vibrant cultures and rich history, is also home to some of the most intriguing and mysterious places in the world? 

These places are backed by some really interesting legends, captivating stories, and unexplained phenomena that never fail to fascinate travelers even today. 

So, if you’re up for an adventure and are looking for places that drive your curiosity, then here are the top 10 places that should be on your travel bucket list for 2024.

Shani Shingnapur – A Village With No Doors in Maharashtra

Shani Shingnapur, a quaint village 35 km from Ahmednagar, is famous for its Shani temple. But actually, it’s not the temple that adds to the mystery. What really sets the place apart is that none of the houses, schools, or even commercial buildings here have doors. Yes, you read that right—no doors! 

Reason? 

The villagers have unfathomable faith in Lord Shani and believe that he protects them from harm and theft. And you’d be more than surprised to know that the village has almost zero crime rate to date.

Address: Ghodegaon Phata, Shani Shingnapur, Maharashtra 414105, India

Roopkund – The Lake of Skeletons in Uttarakhand

Situated high in the Himalayas, at an altitude of 16,500 feet, the story of Roopkund Lake can leave you a bit petrified.  Herein you can see hundreds of human skeletons beneath its surface when the ice melts. 

The forensics and the radiocarbon tests suggest that these skeletons date back to the 15th century AD.  According to locals, these remains belong to the then-king of Kannauj and his companions who succumbed to a sudden hailstorm during a pilgrimage. The eerie sight and the remote location, make this place more gloomy and intriguing to visit.

Address: Chamoli, Uttarakhand

Bullet Baba Shrine in Bandai, Rajasthan

In Rajasthan, near Bandai, there’s a shrine dedicated to a motorcycle. Yes, you heard that right! The story is about a man named Om Singh Rathore, or Om Banna, who died in a tragic accident while driving back to his home on his bullet. 

But, you know what’s the interesting part?

After the accident, a series of unusual events took place. Despite being moved and secured by chains by the police, the bike would mysteriously return to the accident site every night. Ultimately, the police authorities gave up and the locals believing in the divine nature of the bike built a temple around it. Today, travelers stop by to seek blessings at the Bullet Baba shrine for a safe journey.

Address: National Highway 65, Pali, Chotila, Pali-Rajasthan – 306421

Kodinhi – The Land of Twins in Kerala

Kodinhi, a small village in Kerala’s Malappuram district, is famous for its unusually high number of twin births. Reportedly, there are over 200 pairs of twins, so as soon as you step into this village you’ll probably find doubles of everyone. And that’s not all!
Interestingly, women from Kodinhi who have been married to outsiders also tend to give birth to twins or triplets. Doctors and researchers suggest that the reason behind this peculiar phenomenon is somewhere linked to the chemical composition of the local water here. However, no definitive cause justifying the case has been found yet.

Address: Tirurangadi Block, Malappuram District, 676309, Kerala

Kuldhara – The Abandoned Village in Rajasthan

Once a prosperous village inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins, Kuldhara is now just a deserted land with empty, broken houses and structures.  

According to the legend, around 2 centuries ago, 1500 Paliwal Brahmins left and fled the village overnight. And ever since then, no one has ever been able to live here. Some of the few who tried were scared and chased away by some weird paranormal activities. Even the tourists visiting here often report feeling uneasy and restless after stepping into the village. making Kuldhara a must-visit for those interested in the supernatural. 

Apparently, it is believed that the earlier inhabitants left Kuldhara with a curse that no one would be able to settle in the village after them. 

Address: Kuldhara, Sam Sand Dunes Road, Jaisalmer 345001, Rajasthan

Jwala Ji Temple – The Temple with an Immortal Flame in Himachal Pradesh

Located in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, the Jwala Ji Temple is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths of India.

But what’s so mysterious about this temple?
Well, herein you will find a hollowed stone that holds a flame that has been endlessly burning for decades now.  

Now, the ardent devotees believe it is goddess Jwala herself residing in the form of flames within the shrine. However, this miraculous phenomenon is also backed by science. The researchers suggest that the flame is probably fueled by the supply of natural gases like methane under its surface. 

Despite its scientific explanation, the temple’s endless flame continues to draw devotees and curious travelers alike.

Address: Chilkur Balaji Temple Rd, Chilkur Village, Hyderabad, Telangana, 500075

Jatinga – The Bird Death Place in Assam

Every monsoon, the village of Jatinga in Assam turns into a deathbed. 

The village witnesses a very strange yet sad phenomenon: migratory birds crashing into buildings, trees, and poles to their death on foggy, dark nights. This mass bird suicide occurs annually in the months of September and October which has left both scientists and ornithologists puzzled about its cause. 

Some believe the dense fog and high altitude disorient the birds because of which they end up haywire while others argue that there might be more to this strange occurrence. 

However, there have been no instances supporting either of the claims and the mystery still lies unresolved.

Address: Dima Hasao district, Assam, India

Shetpal – The Snake-Friendly Village in Maharashtra

In Shetpal, snakes are considered a part of everyday life. Herein, each house has a designated resting place for cobras and other snakes

Well, this is not all. 

The interesting part is that no snake bites have been reported in Shetpal to date – maybe the snakes are that friendly to be around. 

However, this unusual coexistence between humans and snakes is what makes Shetpal a unique and mysterious place to visit, reflecting the deep-rooted traditions of snake worship in India.

Address: Solapur District, Maharashtra

Talakad – The Deserted Land in Karnataka 

Talakad, situated on the banks of the Kaveri River, is a village all buried under sand dunes. 

The village was once home to about 30 temples, five of which are dedicated to Lord Shiva. 

According to the legend, the land was once cursed by a widowed devotee of Lord Shiva after which the village turned into a desert where the river Kaveri forms a swirling whirlpool. This mysterious transformation and the buried temples make Talakad one of the most fascinating yet mysterious places to visit in India.

Address: Mysuru, Karnataka 571122, India

Also Read : 10 Mysterious Places in India To Visit in 2024

Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh Shrine – A Place with a Mysterious Stone

The Hazrat Qamar Ali Darvesh Shrine in Maharashtra is famous for a peculiar rock. 

Now, firstly, this is no ordinary rock. 

Its a 70 kg stone that can only be lifted by the collective effort of 11 people using just their forefingers while loudly chanting out the saint’s name who cursed it.

Following this, the stone then miraculously rises in the air. 

This is to only way the stone can be lifted. It is said that Qamar Ali, a revered Sufi saint cursed the stone being used for bodybuilding around 800 years ago. 

Address: Shop No, 3, Mula Rd, Khadki, Pune, Maharashtra, 411003

Takeaway

Each of these places holds a unique mystery that certainly defies any conventional explanations. Exploring these mysterious places will not only satiate the wanderlust in you but also offer a glimpse into India’s rich history of myths and legends. So pack your bags and get on a journey to these mysterious places in India in 2024!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) :

Q. What are some haunted places in India?
A. Bhangar Fort (Alwar, Rajasthan), Shaniwar Wada (Pune, Maharashtra), and Feroz Shah Kotla Fort (New Delhi) are some of the haunted places in India.

Q. What is the No 1 mysterious place in the world?

A. The Bermuda Triangle (includes Bermuda, Florida, and Puerto Rico), situated off the southeastern coast of the US in the Atlantic Ocean is considered the most mysterious place in the world. 

Q. What is the prettiest place in India?

A.  Athirapally Falls (Kerala), Spiti Valley (Himachal Pradesh), Hampi (Karnataka), and Havelock Island (Andaman Nicobar Islands) are some of the prettiest places in India.