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Bhangarh Fort: A Fort Haunted by a Magician's Curse
At Bhangarh Fort, watch the tale of a princess and the curse of a magician come to life. It is believed that the fort is still haunted.
The 300-year-old Bhangarh Fort is located at the border of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar district of Rajasthan. Bhangarh, a deserted town in Rajasthan, was established in 1613 by King Madho Singh, son of great Mughal general, Man Singh of Amber. In its heyday, it was a vibrant, prosperous settlement that was home to more than forty thousand people. Today, the remains of the fort are well preserved. However, there is a dark story that lurks in its shadows.
It is believed that Princess Ratnavati of Bhangarh was an exceptional beauty, and caught the fancy of a famed magician. His attempt to seduce her failed, and he was sentenced to death. However, before dying, he cursed Bhangarh saying that the kingdom would die out soon. Eerily enough, a war between Bhangarh and Ajabgarh resulted in its total destruction. Subsequently, Bhangarh was abandoned and fell to ruins. The sole chhatri (a small shelter) built high on a hill, is said to have belonged to the magician.
Locals believe that his curse lingers even today, which has earned Bhangarh a place in the Top 10 haunted places in the country. Regardless of sceptics and believers, the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), which is the custodian of the site, has firmly banned entry into the ruins after dusk. Bhangarh is legally off-limits between sunset and sunrise. It is not entirely because of ghosts, though. It is more of a caution against leopards and other wild animals that roam here at night.
Good to Know :
Location: 55 km from the Sterling resort
Entry Fee: No entry fee
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Follow the guidelines for photography. Keep children safe.
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