5 Most Haunted Forts In India For Thrill Seekers Looking For An Adventure

5 Haunted Forts In India

Bhangarh Fort (Rajasthan)

Nestled in the Aravalli hills, Bhangarh Fort is often called India’s most haunted fortress. Built in 1573 by Raja Bhagwant Das of Jaipur, it was intended as a royal residence. According to legend, a tantric (black-magic priest) cursed the fort after his advances toward Princess Ratnavati were spurned. Since then, locals say the curse ruined the town: purportedly, “voices of spirits” and unexplained lights plague the ruins. Today the Archaeological Survey of India strictly forbids any entry after sunset. Tourists by day report an eerie atmosphere and many notice warning signs around the site. In popular culture, Bhangarh has featured in documentaries and travel shows about haunted places.

Shaniwar Wada (Pune)

Shaniwar Wada is an 18th-century Peshwa palace-fort in Pune. Constructed in 1736 by Peshwa Bajirao I, it was once the grand seat of Maratha power. Its most famous haunting stems from the murder of young Peshwa Narayan Rao in 1774. Conspirators killed Narayan Rao inside the fort and abandoned his body at the gate. Legend holds that his cries for help can still be heard on full-moon nights. Today, visitors claim to hear phantom footsteps or distant screams, especially near the Narayan Darwaza gate. The fort is open to tourists every day, but note: entry is not permitted after 6:30 PM. In recent times it gained fame as a filming location for the Bollywood movie Bajirao Mastani, and it remains one of Pune’s top historical attractions.

Image Credits: Wikipedia

Nahargarh Fort (Jaipur)

Perched above Jaipur, Nahargarh (meaning “Abode of Tigers”) was built in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II. It was intended as a royal retreat and part of Jaipur’s defence. The name comes from a local legend: Nahar Singh Bhomia was a prince who betrayed his duty and was killed, and his spirit supposedly haunted the hill. According to Rajasthan Tourism, the fort’s very name means the tiger’s abode of that ghost. Today, Nahargarh Fort is a well-kept tourist spot, famous for panoramic sunset views over the “Pink City”. It’s featured in Bollywood (e.g. Rang De Basanti filmed scenes here). Visitors report an uncanny feeling as dusk falls, but it remains open to the public by day. Guided tours and photo-ops at the royal apartments are popular, but always before nightfall.

Don't Miss:5 Iconic Places You Can’t Miss in Rajasthan, the Land of Kings

Golconda Fort (Hyderabad)

Golconda Fort, on the outskirts of Hyderabad, was originally a 13th-century stronghold of the Kakatiya dynasty and later the capital of the Qutb Shahi kings. By the 16th century it was famous for its glittering diamond trade and for darker tales. According to folklore, the fort is haunted by Taramati, a legendary courtesan. According to Telangana Tourism, witnesses claim to see a shadowy figure dancing among the ruins at night. Others speak of sudden shrieks or objects moving on their own. Indeed, local guides caution visitors: after dark, entry is strictly forbidden. Aside from ghost stories, the fort is known for its ingenious acoustics and light show. During daytime, it’s a huge tourist draw, with many hidden temples and royal pavilions to explore. Evening light-and-sound shows dramatise Golconda’s history, though some admit the stories of ghosts add extra thrill to a night-time visit.

Don't Miss:5 Largest Forts In India You Must Explore

Feroz Shah Kotla Fort (Delhi)

The ruins of Feroz Shah Kotla lie amid a city park in Delhi. Built in the 14th century by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq, the stone walls now house crumbling pavilions and the famous Ashokan pillar. Over the decades, this site gained a reputation for the supernatural. Legend says djinns (Islamic spirits) inhabit the ruins. Delhi’s locals often visit the fort on Thursday nights to offer prayers and sweets to these “genies” in the hopes of fulfilling their wishes. Storytellers say that at dusk, one can hear whispered voices and rustling in the ruins. For thrill-seekers, the Fort is entirely open during the day as a public park, but rumours persist that those who linger too late feel a strange presence. Contemporary media have featured Kotla in ghost documentaries; regardless, history buffs also flock here to admire the medieval architecture, like the Mosque of Feroz Shah and the famed pillar.

Image Credits: Wikipedia

These five forts blend history and hauntings. By day, they are important monuments, but by night their legends linger. All are generally open for daytime visits, though Bhangarh and Shaniwar Wada close at dusk. If you dare to visit, go with respect for the ancient heritage and perhaps a flashlight for the shadows.

Image Credits: Freepik

If you liked this story, then please share it. To read more such stories, stay connected to HerZindagi.