Within some locked doors and ancient ruins of this country, many entities roam freely, inviting the adventurers to experience the thrill of horror. These places, that are sealed in time, also hold secrets of tragic love stories, spine-chilling accidents, and unsolved deaths. Our list mentions these haunted places in India where spirits still lurk in the shadows and hidden mysteries still await to be uncovered.
For people who love to explore the unexplored, this blog will be the perfect excuse to go on a supernatural journey. We have picked the most haunted places in India from West to East & North to South.
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| S.No. | Haunted Places in India | Open To Visitors | City/State |
| 1 | Firoz Shah Kotla | Yes | New Delhi |
| 2 | Grand Paradi Towers | With Permission | Mumbai |
| 3 | Khooni Darawaza | No | New Delhi |
| 4 | D’Mello House | No | Goa |
| 5 | Bhangarh Fort | Yes | Rajasthan |
| 6 | Lothian Cemetery | Yes | New Delhi |
| 7 | Kuldhara | Yes | Jaisalmer |
| 8 | South Park Steet Cemetry | Yes | Kolkata |
| 9 | 25 GB Bungalow Bonacaud | With a guide or prior permission | Bonacaud, Kerala |
| 10 | Cellular Jail (Kala Pani) | Yes | Andaman & Nicobar Islands |
1. Firoz Shah Kotla, New Delhi
There is no better way to start this list than from the fabled ‘city of djinns’, where several historic sites are home to the supernatural, and Firoz Shah Kotla is one of them. Situated between the Old & the New Delhi, this 14th century fort has been home to some very spooky occurrences.
Do not be fooled by its green lawns and giant shading trees as it is one of the most haunted places in India. Hidden within these crumbling walls, people have seen apparitions of Djinns and other spirits. Since it is also situated near a 14th-century burial ground, it is probably a haunt of lost spirits who roam freely here at night. That is why entry here after dark is restricted.
2. Grand Paradi Towers, Mumbai
Would you believe that these three buildings, that have been Mumbai’s symbol of wealth since 1975, are one of the most haunted sites in India? Believe it or not but the Grand Paradi Towers has seen more than 20 cases of suicides since 1998. Most of the death have been for unknown reasons, but the beliefs of the residents range from madness to evil spirits.
One of the building’s eighth floor is believed to be cursed due to the high number of unnatural deaths there. As many as three generations of family have jumped from that floor.
Moreover, there was a Parsi Tower of Silence near the buildings where the people of the Parsi community would leave their dead to be eaten by the vulture as per their tradition. The residents reported that sometimes, the vultures would bring and leave pieces of human remains in their balconies, filling the place with a negative energy.
3. Khooni Darawaza, New Delhi
When even the name of the place translates to “Bloody Gate”, it is sure to be on the list of top horror places in India. This eerie place is just a few kilometers away from Firoz Shah Kotla, but unlike the latter, Khooni Darwaza is infamous for its violent history rather than presence of unnatural beings.
As early as the reign of Emperor Jahangir, rivals, protesters, and potential adversaries were executed by the gate. Even Aurangzeb used the place to display the severed head of Dara Shikoh, his brother and rival to the throne. But the gate was named thus due to the cold-blooded execution of Bahadur Shah Zafar’s three sons by the British here.
Today, you can walk past the barred gate and still feel the violence this monument has seen.
4. D’Mello House, Goa
At first, the D’Mello House would seem another piece of Portuguese history in Goa but upon closer look, you would realize why the locals are scared to go near it. People who have visited this haunted place in India are said to have encountered creepy apparitions and sounds of mumbling and muttering. These facts become more unnerving when you realize that nobody has lived in this house since the 1970s.
The local folklore explains that one brother killed another brother here regarding the ownership of the house. Ever since then, the soul of the slain brother is said to have been lurking around the property.
5. Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan
This 17th century fort is located by the Sariska Tiger Reserve and is infamous for being one of the most haunted places in India. Once a bustling town of more than 10,000 people, it now remains empty except for the ghosts who come out at night. That is why nobody is allowed to visit this fort before sunrise or after sunset.
One legend explains the fort’s current perilous situation, describing that a priest fell in love with the beautiful Princess of Bhangarh. He tried to woo her by making her drink a love portion. But the Princess was able to save herself and threw the portion on a rock which fell down and crushed the priest. Before succumbing to his injuries, the priest cursed the whole village, calling destruction upon it. Today, his curse very much stands true.
6. Lothian Cemetery, New Delhi
For the brave of heart, a stroll in any graveyard would be a piece of cake but Lothian Cemetery is not just another graveyard. This cemetery is one of the most haunted places in India as many people have witness the ghosts of the Britishers who are buried within the elaborate tombs here.
If you visit this place, there is a possibility that you would run into a headless ghost of a British Soldier, one that goes by the name of General Nicholas. He is said to have shot himself when he discovered that his lover was married to someone else. This heartbroken soul still haunts the place where he was buried.
7. Kuldhara, Jaisalmer
Imagine abandoned mudhouses, temples and roads in the middle of the desert where no one resides. This is Kuldhara – the abandoned village near Jaisalmer which is considered a haunted location in India. The reason for this place’s abandonment is one the greatest mysteries which has made archaeologists all over the country scratch their heads.
But it is widely believed that when the villagers left the village, they cursed it that it would never be reinhabited which explains the dark and foreboding aura surrounding the place.
8. South Park Steet Cemetry, Kolkata
The cemetery is home to many tombs and mausoleums of British soldiers, counselors, and their families. But it also houses many spirits and strong energies that affect the people who come here. Visitors have experienced a sense of breathlessness and reported having seen a shadow dressed in white. There have been also some cases of sickness among people who have visited this place, making it one of the most haunted places in India.
9. 25 GB Bungalow Bonacaud, Kerala
Among the serene groves and lush plantations, there is a place in Bonacaud that will send chills down your spine. The 25 GB Bungalow has all the elements of being the most haunted place in India: a gloomy countryside atmosphere, remote location, and a hair-raising backstory.
As the legend goes, the daughter of the man who once owned the Bungalow and the nearby land died under mysterious circumstances. When the family moved abroad, people started seeing apparitions of the girl around the property. Some witnesses even confessed to hearing screams and yelling of the girl at night. This place is not for the faint of heart.
10. Cellular Jail, Kala Pani, Andaman & Nicobar
This infamous jail has seen torture, forced labor, and tragic deaths of many of its inmates – most of which were Indian freedom fighters or political prisoners. Kala Pani Jail, just like its name, was a dark chapter in the history of India. Presently, the Jail is open to visitors who can view the pitch-black cells where the inmates were kept without basic human necessities. The site will surely fill you with dread.
Bonus: Mawphlāng Sacred Forest Meghalaya
Situated a few kilometers away from Shillong, the Mawphlang forest is more supernatural than haunted. The Khasi people, who reside around the area, believe that the forest has a magical energy which can change destinies or make wishes come true. In the past, the Khasi priests would offer sacrifices on the altars within the forest to consult the gods.
Today, guided tours take you on hourlong treks through the forest, highlighting the culture, history, flora and fauna within the sacred groves.
A Last Thought
Whether historic monuments or old, forgotten colonial houses, there are number of haunted places in India that will have your blood rushing. These places will offer you history, mystery, and a spine-chilling experience that will refuse to fade away from your memory.
Also Read: 14 Best Places To Visit In South India On Your Next Trip
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Are these haunted places open to visitors?
A. Some of the haunted places mentioned in the list are open to visitors, while some (like Khooni Darwaza & D’Mello House) have been barred for people to visit.
Q. Are these places safe to visit?
A. Generally, these places are safe to visit. But it is not recommended that you visit them at night.
Q. What kind of paranormal activity has been reported at these places?
A. All sorts. Sightings of apparitions, unexpected whispers, sudden drop in temperature, feeling of someone’s breath on the neck, and the like.
Q. Can I take photos or videos at these places?
A. Most of these places allow photography (some at an extra charge), except Mawphlang Sacred Grove, where photography is strictly prohibited.
