Bhangarh Fort Alwar is located at the border of the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar monuments 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 Fort Alwar 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.
History of the Haunted Fort
The fort revolves with centuries of history. It is said that the fort was built by Man Singh I, a member of Akbar’s Navaratnas in his court in honor of his son Madho Singh I.
There quite a several spines chilling tales associated with Bhangarh Fort Alwar that has spread fear among the locals for centuries. In one such story, Madho Singh who ruled the fort under the condition that the shadow of the fort will never fall upon the home of Bala Nath, an ascetic. However, as years passed and successors of Madho Singh ruled and died in the fort peacefully, along came a successor with immense greed. The very greed drove him to make the fort bigger. The fort was built vertically and its shadow engulfed the home of the ascetic. The fort was reduced to ruins and thereafter the fort stayed haunted since.
The second story, however, is more popular and fervently believed by the locals. You come to Alwar Tour and ask the question ” is Bhangarh haunted”, you’ll probably get this story from the local.
As per this tale, there was a princess named Ratnavati whose beauty was famed above and beyond. A black magician once fell in love with her. The desperate black magician bewitched a cosmetic that the princess used to make her fall in love with him. The princess smelled suspicion and foiled the entire conspiracy of the black magician by pouring the bewitched cosmetic over a massive stone boulder, which then supposedly crushed the ‘Tantrik’ to death. Before his last breath, the black magician cursed the entire area close to the fort making it haunted since and forever. Even centuries later, people still say that princess Ratnavati was the reason for the apocalyptic situation.
The Fort at Night
Entry to the fort is strictly prohibited after sunset and before sunrise. The whole region is engulfed in the deafening silence once the sun has made his last appearance on the horizon. Several beliefs circulate among the locals and it depends on you whether to believe it blindly or question it. However, better to be safe than sorry. It is said that the spirits roam in Bhangarh Fort Alwar at night and various strange noises are heard.
Also, as it is said, anyone who enters the fort at night would not be able to return in the morning Rajashan Budget Tours. Visitors have always recounted their experience and they always mention that they have an eerie feeling of being watched by someone or something in the dark. These people have also said that there is a dizzying heaviness in the air. It is up to you to believe it or not. That being said, the fact that the ASI has strenuously warned against the mishaps that may befall at a night hike in the area is not something to be taken lightly.
There is evidence to support the claim of those who say that those tried their luck either went missing or weren’t able to explain anything coherently. You might say that the entire episodes were mere figments of imagination by ruminating minds, but the fact that there are people who had ventured to question the truth and never returned is unquestionable.
Best time to visit Bhangarh
This fort is in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, Due to heat in the summer, It is not recommended to visit this place in summer. After the rainy season and in winter the Bhangarh Fort Rajasthan visit can be planned.
October to February is the best time to visit Bhangarh Fort Rajasthan
How to Reach Bhangarh Fort
The closest town to Bhangarh Fort is Alwar which is located at a distance of 90 km from the place. The most convenient way to reach Bhangarh from here is via a rented cab or an easily available bus.
It takes around 4 to 5 hours to reach Bhangarh from New Delhi. Two routes can be opted for it, one via Neemrana and other via Alwar. Though the latter is a shorter route, it takes a longer duration of time owing to the unfavorable road conditions. The easiest way to reach Bhangarh Fort from Delhi is by driving to the place, taking NH8, and pass through Neemrana. Post this, turn to NH11A and continue for about 50 minutes then take SH55 and drive for another 20 min until you reach your destination.
Bhangarh Fort is just 83 km from Jaipur, and it is an excellent place to go for a day trip with friends. Take the NH11 and continue onto Agra Road. From Dausa, take the NH11A and continue for about 15km. From there, take the SH 55, and you can reach the destination. Overall, it won’t take you more than 2 hours from Jaipur to reach Bhangarh Fort. It will be an enjoyable trip knowing the haunted stories of Bhangarh Fort Alwar.