Bhangarh Fort
This fortress sits in the ruined, long-abandoned town of Bhangarh in Rajasthan, India. It dates to 1573, and the village faded as the Mughal Empire weakened, leaving the area largely deserted by 1783. The site carries a veil of mystery and is linked to many legends about magic, curses, and ominous forces that seem to linger around its walls. The fort stretches across several terraces and reveals weathered staircases, temple remnants, and crumbling watchtowers that hint at a capital once bustling on this frontier of history. The whole complex speaks to a moment when royal ambitions touched the edge of a desert landscape, and the stones still remember the echo of footsteps from a century past.
One tale links the town’s fate to a curse pronounced by the ascetic Bala Nath. The story holds that when the palatial shadows touched his sanctuary, the city would disappear. The legend also mentions a king who built the fort so high that its shadow crossed Bala Nath’s shrine, setting the curse in motion. Across generations, these threads form a cautionary tale about pride, power, and fate that locals recount as dusk approaches and the stones seem to murmur about vanished glory.
Another legend centers on Princess Ratnatvi, celebrated as Rajasthan’s jewel. Many noble suitors sought her hand, but a magician named Singhia loved her from afar. Because they belonged to different social classes, their union seemed impossible. Singhia reportedly devised a spell using oil bought by the princess’s maid so that the princess would fall for him whenever she touched the oil. When the princess discovered the spell, she spilled the oil, a rock rolled toward Singhia and killed him. Before dying, Singhia cursed the palace, saying that everyone who dwelled there would meet a tragic end. The tale endures in local storytelling and adds to the aura of mystery surrounding the fort.
The fort draws many visitors today, including travelers from Canada and the United States, who come to glimpse its dramatic architecture and hear its stories. Yet the site remains tied to hauntings in local lore, and many visitors are advised to avoid entering after dark. The Archaeological Survey of India forbids staying inside the fortress after nightfall to protect both visitors and the ruins themselves. The rule is clear, and daytime exploration offers the best light for photographs, as well as the chance to study the ramparts, gates, and temple ruins without the risk associated with night tours. For North American travelers, a daytime itinerary also helps with climate, crowd management, and safety while exploring this iconic ruin.
Readers can expect more in our Spookiest Places Countdown as tomorrow brings the next installment in this eerie series.