The Haunted Fort

We kick off the brand new AMG Great Escape series with a tale of daring adventure and excitement and a trip to India’s most haunted fort

- Aninda Sardar

MURDER, REVENGE, DEATHS, curse and a city ransacked and burnt. The story of Bhangarh Fort near Alwar in Rajasthan could rival that of Shakespeare’s Hamlet. A wizard adept at black magic fell in love with the beautiful princess Ratnavati. The princess was out in the bazaar one day when this wizard tried to ensnare her with his dark powers, but unfortunately for him Ratnavati saw through his trickery and threw the love potion laced ittar (perfume) that she had been offered by him on a nearby rock. The rock began rolling and eventually crushed the wizard, who, with his dying breath, cursed Bhangarh to an eternal afterlife.

For a while all was well but Bhangarh was soon attacked by the Mughals who besieged and then sacked the city. All 10,000 inhabitants, the princess included, died in the battle. True to the wizard’s curse, Bhangarh would never rise again, instead doomed to a paranormal existence where things remain normal only as long as there is light. Fun begins as soon as the sun dips below the horizon and the ghosts of Ratnavati, the dark wizard and others come alive. At least, that’s what legend tells us and what the people of the surrounding village believe with such intensity that even the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) forbids you from being there after dark. In fact, Google the words haunted places in India and Bhangarh Fort headlines every single one of them. Going in to Bhangarh Fort is a daring act that only the most adventurous will undertake. This, is no journey for the faint hearted. This, is a journey of guts and glory.