If you were under the impression that stories of Delhi, revolve narrowly around impressive food, cultural and archaeological heritage spots and cumbersome politics, think again. There is more to look for than what we ordinarily identify as places, ‘worthy of exploration’ in this multifaceted city. The national capital has a handful of spooky sites for explorers who want to experience a rather distinct and shady side of the city. From the suspicious screeching of the doors, to the infamous woman clad in a white sari roaming about freely, to unnerving tales about ghosts of the dead. ‘Be on your guard’, as these haunted places can make even the brave, break into cold sweat.
1. Delhi Cantonment
The Delhi Cantonment or Delhi Cant was built by the British in 1914. Unfortunately, it is not famous for being associated with the ministry of defense of the country but has a repute for eerie anecdotes, conveyed by several people who visit the place. The dark lane, with dense green cover, is said to have been inhabited by the malefic spirit of a woman. Imagine a lady clothed in a white sari, approaching cars, pedestrians and even motorcyclists, in an isolated area, with her hand rose, reaching out for a lift. She even comes after those, who don’t stop or attempt to flee away. People are often advised not to stop by in this area or visit alone.
2. Agrasen Ke Baoli
Located on Hailey road, near Connaught place in Delhi, and built with a rather unusual architectural brilliance, is the famous heritage site Agrasen Ke Baoli. Named after its establisher, Maharaja Agrasen of the famous Mahabharata era, this place oozes a rare enigmatic energy. It is a step-well with104 steps that lead up to a dried up-well; this place perfectly accords with the definition of ‘haunted’. Popular tales revolve around evil spirits that inhabit this place. It is believed that the well was once filled with smelly black colored water, which made the depressed gravitate towards it. Also, adding to the mysterious undertone of the place is the fact that the unlit well overflows with squeaking sounds of bats and pigeons.
3. Ferozshah Kotla Fort
Picturesque and epic, the Ferozshah Kotla fort, adds significantly to the heritage and cultural richness of the city. Built by Sultan Ferozshah Tughlaq in the fourteenth century, this fort bears in itself uncanny tales about the supernatural. According to people who’ve had the experience of witnessing the weird presence, proclaim that this is a fort where Djjinns dwell. As claimed by Islamic mythology, dijjins are spirits that hold power to grant wishes to people. Adhering to this belief, many visitors offer consumables like sweet, grains, milketc, and even write letters, in an attempt to get their wishes granted. Such is the faith of people around, in the notion, that the fort is haunted, that many in the vicinity have their houses built, facing away from the deteriorating establishment.
4. Jamali Kamali Mosque And Tomb
Standing close to the well-known and mighty structure of Qutub Minar in Meharauli, lays the famous building, ‘Jamali Kamali mosque and tomb’. The ancient mosque brings out the architectural mastery of the Mughals. It is this place where ‘Jamali’, a distinguished Sufi saint was buried close to ‘Kamali’ and now has made a name for itself for the presence of spirits called ‘Djjinns’. The stores revolve around as, how the notorious spirits closely follow people who visit, with occasions where they’ve felt getting slapped by the hidden presence.
5. Khooni Darwaza (Translated As, Bloody Gate)
If the name of this site is not perturbing enough, then the ghastly stories for which it is famous is sure to instill anyone with fear. Located at Bahadur Shah Zafar marg in Delhi, this site is now believed to be a centre to ghosts of the dead who were o Varun Shiv Kapur e killed here. As the story goes, Bahadur shah’s three sons, were executed by British general William Hudson at this place; and existing accounts reveal that the merciless spirits now roam about freely, haunting the tourists who visit. The unforgiving evil presence seeks to petrify tourists, especially the white.
So, when in Delhi, don’t omit to witness these remarkable spots of the capital. Before you overlook these unnatural records as the imagination of a twisted mind or a narrative of someone’s hallucination, see it for yourself.