Bhangarh Fort, located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, India, is a mysterious and eerie place that is steeped in legends and superstitions. The fort was built in the 17th century by Raja Bhagwant Das, the ruler of Amber, for his younger son Madho Singh. The fort complex, which was once a thriving city, is now in ruins, and its walls are adorned with vines and foliage. The fort is known for its stunning architecture, beautiful surroundings, and rumors of being one of the most haunted places in India.
History of Bhangarh Fort
Bhangarh Fort was built in the 17th century by Raja Madho Singh, the younger brother of the great Mughal general, Man Singh of Amber. Besides the royal palace, Bhangarh had over 9,000 houses until 1720 after which it gradually diminished in population. The fort is located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan and is a popular tourist destination for its historical significance and the legends of ghosts and curses.
The fort was designed by Man Singh I, one of the Navratnas of Emperor Akbar’s court. The fort’s architecture is a fusion of Rajput and Mughal styles and features several ornate structures, including temples, palaces, and courtyards. The fort is constructed using sandstone and marble and is adorned with intricate carvings and paintings. The fort’s main gate, the Hanuman Gate, is an imposing structure that leads to the central courtyard of the fort.
Haunted Stories and Legends of Bhangarh Fort
Bhangarh Fort is shrouded in myths and legends, which have contributed to its reputation as one of the most haunted places in India. Here are some of the most popular legends and myths associated with Bhangarh Fort:
- The Curse of the Tantrik
The curse of Bhangarh is said to be one of the reasons behind the fort’s deserted state. According to legend, Bhangarh Fort is cursed by a hermit named Guru Balu Nath. The spot where the fort has been built once served as the meditation spot of the sage, and when the king pleaded with him that he wanted to build a fort here, the sage agreed on one condition that the fort’s shadow should not touch him. The king persuaded him that the fort’s shadow would not touch him at his place, which sadly did not happen, and the curse of the hermit followed, which led to the entire village being destroyed.
- The Story of Princess Ratnavati
Princess Ratnavati’s Curse: Another popular legend associated with the fort is that of princess Ratnavati. She was very beautiful and had a number of suitors from the royal families of the country. A wizard, adept in black magic, fell in love with the princess. As the princess went shopping with her friends one day, the wizard saw her buying ittar (scent) and replaced the ittar with a love potion. The princess, however, came to know of the wizard’s trickery and threw the potion onto a boulder nearby. This resulted in the boulder rolling toward the wizard and crushing him to death. But before being crushed to death, he cursed the city, stating that it would be destroyed soon and no one would be able to live within its precincts. The kingdom was later sacked by the invading Mughal forces, killing all the inhabitants of the fort along with princess Ratnavati.
Is Bhangarh Fort Haunted? Any Experiences of Ghosts
The haunted reputation of Bhangarh Fort has attracted numerous ghost hunters, thrill-seekers, and curious visitors over the years. Many claims to have experienced paranormal activities within the fort’s walls, while others remain skeptical.
One of the most common paranormal experiences reported by visitors is the feeling of being watched or followed. Some have reported feeling a sudden drop in temperature, despite the hot and humid weather of Rajasthan. Others claim to have heard strange noises, such as footsteps, whispers, and screams, coming from the fort’s abandoned buildings.
Some visitors have reported seeing apparitions or ghostly figures in and around the fort. One of the most commonly reported apparitions is that of the black saree-clad woman, who is said to roam the fort’s premises. Others have claimed to see shadow figures, misty forms, and even full-bodied apparitions of soldiers and princesses.
There are also reports of objects moving on their own, doors and windows opening and closing by themselves, and even instances of possession and physical attacks by unseen entities.
Despite the skepticism, the haunted reputation of Bhangarh Fort continues to attract a large number of visitors. Many people visit the fort in the hopes of experiencing something paranormal, while others are simply drawn to the fort’s rich history and architecture.