Bhangarh Fort

Historic sites

Rajasthan

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History
Places to visit
How to reach

Bhangarh Fort is a historical and mysterious fort that has, for long, been a center of attraction for adventure travelers, historians, curious souls, and tourists in general. The fort is located in the Alwar district along with the Sariska Tiger Reserve. The renowned fort has acquired fame for spooky stories and the gloomy ambiance that surrounds it. Many ghost stories and paranormal activities have been reported at Bhangarh fort over the years which has made it rank at the top on the list of haunted places in India.

Although the fort is haunted yet it draws a great number of tourists from across the globe to its premises. Many say that there is a unique charm camouflaged in its majestic lush green surroundings, which acts as a temptation that persuades one to visit it at least once, even after hearing the deadliest stories.

If you find esoteric things and subjects about ghosts interesting then, you absolutely need to visit Bhangarh Fort. This is the place where you will get to hear theories and historical stories about this fort being haunted. The trek up to the fort is quite tiring thus, people who have some kind of health issue may avoid going to the top.

As far as the best time to visit Bhangarh is concerned, any time of the year is great to visit Bhangarh Fort. Though, tourists who would like to avoid the hot climate must skip visiting the place in summer, i.e, between March to June, because the temperature may go up to 45-degree Celcius. Otherwise, any month is great to visit the fort, in case you wish to experience the chill and the gloomy environment then visiting in the winter season between November to February is great. Bhangarh Fort timings are from 6 am to 6 pm.

History of Bhangarh Fort

Bhangarh Fort was built in the 17th century by Bhagwant Das, the son of Madho Singh I, who belonged to the Kachwaha kingdom. If folktales are to be believed then no single kingdom has ever lived in the fort for long and for a major period of time, the fort remained deserted. In 1720, a famine hit the place and even the villagers relocated to another place. It is also documented that Raja Man Singh later acquired the fort into his estate. The fort comprises 5 grand gates that include the main entrance gate, Delhi Gate, Lahori Gate, Ajmeri Gate, and Phulbari Gate. Today the fort is one of the most visited and talked about tourist destinations in Rajasthan.

The Story of a Curse

Legends have it that there once lived a princess named Ratnavati the daughter of Chatr Singh. The princess was so beautiful that she was liked by one and all for her immaculate beauty and polite behavior. A priest who was well-versed in black magic fell in love with her and when he realized that he cannot match up to and withstand the glare of the royal lifestyle, he tried to win her through black magic.

The priest cast a spell on a perfume that Ratnavati’s maid bought for the princess so that she could fall in love with him. As soon as the princess got to know this, the princess threw the bottle aside, which hit a boulder and broke. The priest couldn't take this, crushed under the emotional grief he soon died. However, before dying he cursed the princess and the fort. It is said that just after a year, a battle was fought over the kingdom in which the princess and her family lost and died. Since then people believe that all this happened because of the curse of the priest.

The Tale of a Sadhu

According to another popular tale, there lived a Sadhu named Guru Balu Nath at the top of the hill, where the fort is now located. In order to begin the construction of the fort, the sadhu was needed to be relocated hence he was requested to do so. The Sadhu agreed to relocate nearby but said that the fort should not cast a shadow on his house at any time of the day.

Sadhu’s request was acknowledged and later a change in the design of the fort was suggested by Ajab Singh. He suggested adding columns that, after the construction, shadowed the house of the Sadhu. This made the Sadhu so angry that he cursed the fort to remain roofless forever and locals claim that even if they try to build a roof, it mysteriously collapses after some time.

An Interesting Fact about Bhangarh Fort

Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) which is responsible for maintaining the historical structures in the country has issued an advisory to the tourists that forbids them to visit the fort or hang around the fort before sunrise and after sunset. As per the warning sign placed at the fort, trespassing the fort is punishable and the guilty might also have to face legal discourse.

Major Attractions in and Around Bhangarh Fort

1. Tantrik ki Chatri

Tantrik ki Chatri is the stone hut of Sadhu Balu Nath, who in some folk tales is referred to as Balak Nath. Locals claim that this was the hut on which the shadow of the fort fell and as a result of it the Sadhu cursed the fort. Tourists can explore the hut while visiting the fort.

2. Temples

Just at the entrance of the fort, there lies Someshwar, Mangla Devi, Ganesha, and Hanuman temple, which tourists can visit either to explore them or to pray for a safe and sound visit to the fort. The intricate carvings on the walls of these temples are inspired by the nagara style of architecture which will definitely urge you to spend a moment or two appreciating the architecture and not just stay scared throughout the visit.

3. Nachni Ki Haveli and Market

As you move inside the fort complex you will come across the ruins of Nachni ki Haveli (Dance chamber) bazaars (markets) and painted Havelis (mansions). The ruins of these structures will certainly make your imagination go crazy and will create a picture of a royal and vibrant bygone era in your mind.

How to Reach Bhangarh Fort

Bhangarh Fort is situated in the Alwar district of Rajasthan bordering with Sariska Tiger Reserve. Also known as one of the most haunted places in India, a visit here can truly be an unforgettable experience. To reach here you will need to cover an approximate distance of 223, 228, 1,425, 1,822 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here are the following details on how you can reach Bhangarh Fort.

By Air

Jaipur airport is the nearest airport to reach the fort. Tourists need to take a bus or a taxi to cover another 70-90 km to reach the fort. Jaipur airport has quite good flight connectivity with other cities and towns and receives regular domestic and international flights from several Indian and foreign locations.

From Pune - Board IndiGo, Spicejet flights from Pune Airport. The airfares start from INR 3,000 - INR 5,000
From Kanpur - Board Spicejet, IndiGo, Air India flights from Kanpur Airport. The airfares start from INR 4,000 - INR 5,000
From Guwahati - Board Spicejet, IndiGo from Guwahati Airport. The air tickets will cost you between INR 5,000 - INR 10,000

By Train

Bhan Kari Railway Station (BAK) and Dausa Railway Station are the nearest stations to reach Bhangarh fort. Rajasthan Sampark Kranti Express, Mandore Superfast Express, and Ala Hazrat Express are a few frequently running trains that will take you to Bhangarh. Trains from various metro cities of India arrive here at good frequency hence making reservations will not be problematic at all. From both the stations, one is required to cover a distance of 20-30 km to reach the haunted fort.

By Road

Traveling by road is a fun and monetarily cheaper way to travel. The best part about traveling by road is that it gives the opportunity to give a sneak peek into the village life, farms, and Dhabas. Basically, it is one of the best ways to know the local culture of any place.

Tourists who are enthusiastic about road trips may either take the tourist buses to travel to Rajasthan or may drive to the place in their personal vehicle or by cab.