Haunted places of Delhi

Agrasen ki Baoli; Image Courtesy: Youthgiri

It is little wonder that Delhi has a spooky side to it, considering that it is home to old palaces, monuments, tombstones, memorials along with stories of kings, queens, emperors and princes. So, it is natural that the city has an association with supernatural activities as well. There is one side of Delhi that is vibrant and bustling, but there are also places that are abandoned, desolate and give you the creeps by the mere mention of their names. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t any visitors to these places. In fact, many brave hearts do visit these places but not many would like to go there at night.

Here is a list of places in Delhi that are known as the scariest places in the city. Visit if you can but a word of caution, these visits are not for the faint hearted!

1. Sanjay Van

Located near the Qutabi Institutional Area in South West Delhi, Sanjay Van is a vast forest area spread over 784 acres. Though the forests are also known as the lungs of the city with their green trees and flora, they are is also regarded as pretty spooky places to be in. There are many stories about paranormal activities in the region. The mausoleums of Sufi saints located in the forest only add to the mystery. Nobody dares roam around here after sunset. Those who unwittingly got caught in the wilderness have claimed to have heard strange voices calling out to them. There are also cremation grounds in the area that lend an aura of fear to the region. There are stories about a woman dressed in white seen around. With such fearsome stories, Sanjay Van remains aloof and uninhabited and is thus one of the most haunted places in New Delhi.

2. Agrasen

It is actually an ancient step well with a unique design. There are 103 steps that end in a water reservoir. These steps are made from red stone which looks beautiful. It was built around the 14th century by Maharaja Agrasen, and is one of the well-known places of New Delhi, a prime tourist attraction. At the same time, it also finds itself in the list of the most haunted places in New Delhi. It is said that once you walk on these steps, you sense some strange activities. It is also known as ‘Baoli of the unseen’ which adds to the scary stories. There were even many visitors who claimed that they felt that somebody was following them, when they were walking around the well and if they turned back, they would see no one. If they walked faster, the sound of the trampling steps too will be louder. You should visit Agrasen ki Baoli for sure, as you can be a witness to one of the most unique and astonishing architecture of the past and at the same time, experience some shudder.

3. Delhi Cantonment Area

Though the Delhi Cantonment area, also known as Delhi Cantt looks beautiful and alluring during the day, it looks like a ghostly place at night. Many have reported experiencing strange incidents at the place. As the stories narrated by most of them happen to be the same, the Delhi Cantonment Area is believed to have been haunted. People who drove by the area claimed that they came across a woman clad in a white saree asking for a ride and then suddenly disappearing, only to be racing past the speeding vehicle. It is said that a woman was killed in the area, and it is her ghost that wanders at the place even now.

4. Malcha Mahal

It is a palace which was used as a community house in 1600 AD for the villagers. Later on, it became an abandoned place which took on a haunted air, as no one lived there. In 1985, the palace was given to Begum Awadh and her two children, a son and a daughter. The Begum committed suicide in 1993 by swallowing crushed diamonds. It is said that her children, who are now believed to be in their 50s or 60s, continue to live there and, it was for their safety that the government gave permission to shoot anyone who trespassed the property. In fact, there is a board outside the Malcha Mahal that declares the same. The idea of two lonely people living amidst such ruins itself is spooky. They do not come outside and are rarely seen by the locals, which add to the mystery. Hound dogs patrol the area for their safety. Because of all these reasons, no one dares to go near the Malcha Mahal. Also, those who have wandered about in the area have claimed to have experienced some sort of invisible energy which made them uncomfortable. If you wish to experience what is it all about, do visit it, but only during day time.

5. Feroz Shah Kotla

It is a fort that is so seemingly in melancholy. Feroz Shah Kotla Fort was built in the 14th century during the Tughlaq regime in Delhi. It is believed that the fort is home to many Djinns, and that is why the fort is not visited during the night or after sunset. In fact, William Dalrymple’s book, ‘The City of Djinns’ features the fort in the very beginning. In fact, locals and other visitors’ light candles, incense sticks and make other offerings on Thursdays so as to appease the Djinns. Maybe they are still lurking around angrily, as the Thursday rituals continue even today.

If you want to confirm the stories behind these places, you should pay a visit to these haunted locations in Delhi after having visited the historical places. Maybe, you too will return with your own scary story.

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