N O V E L PAT H S Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan is counted among the topmost haunted places in India. Combine the trip with a visit to an ancient stepwell, Chand Baori in Abhaneri, and you have an experience that you are unlikely to forget. NAVNEET MENDIRATTA braves a trip and suggests you do the same post lockdown
“DO
you believe in ghosts?” Deepta Roy Chakerverti, the Wiccan author of Bhangarh to Bedlam asked me as I sat down to interview her post her book release. This was a long time ago, 2015 to be precise. The book was about paranormal experiences, collated from her visits to the “haunted” spots in the country. Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan was one of them. She shared the detection of paranormal activity involving a young dancer inside the haunted fort complex, immediately capturing my imagination. Did it make me want to explore the place for myself? I was not sure. At least, at that time. For several years, Bhangarh was off my travel list. Somehow, I never felt inclined to explore this old fort despite being a regular visitor to the area.
The Alwar District of Rajasthan is a travel-rich destination with more than 23 tourist attractions to explore, including a wildlife sanctuary, biodiversity parks, ancient palaces, temples and baoris or ancient stepwells. It is, in fact, one of my favourite winter escapes, given its proximity to Delhi. And then one day, just like that, I found myself driving up the road leading to one of the “most haunted places in India”.
THE HAUNTED FORT
EXPERIENCE
is but an extension of our imagination. Perception and imagery have a great role to play. This perhaps best describes my first impression of the place. A narrow winding, deserted road dotted with
CURSE
OF THE
TANTRIC
