Bhangarh Fort: The Most Haunted Place in India
The Bhangarh fort is situated in the Alwar district of Rajasthan State. This fort is located on the border of the Sariska Reserve in the Aravali range of hills. Bhangarh fort is deemed as one of the most haunted forts in India. The Bhangarh fort is famous for its history of completion and Goddess events. Even the Spirit Department has issued a warning regarding not entering the sun after sunrise and sunset.
The Bhangarh fort was built in the 17th Century by Bhagwant Das for his younger son Madho Singh. After being built, the Bhangarh fort remained to fulfill for nearly 300 years. After that, the fort collapsed. Well, there are many stories, myths behind its demolition and desolation of the fort.
History of Bhangarh Fort
As mentioned above the Bhangarh Fort was built by Maharaja Bhagwant Das of Amber in 1583. This fort remained inhabited for nearly 300 years before being desolated.
Maharaj Bhagwantdas had a younger son Mansingh, who was included in the Navratnas of Mughal emperor Akbar. His brother Madho Singh made this fort his residence in 1813.
They had three sons – Sujan Singh, Chhatra Singh, and Tej Singh. After the death of Madhosingh, Chhatra Singh got the right to the fort of Bhangarh. Chhatrasinh’s son was Ajab Singh.
Ajab Singh did not make Bhangarh his residence. He settled Ajabgarh nearby and stayed there. His two sons Kabil Singh and Jaswant Singh also stayed in the Ajabgarh. While the third son Harisingh became the ruler of Bhangarh in 1622.
Harisingh’s two sons were contemporaries of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Under the influence of Aurangzeb, both of them adopted the Muslim religion. After conversion, he was named Mohammed Quliz and Mohammad Dahliz. Aurangzeb entrusted the responsibility of Bhangarh to these two.
After the rule of Aurangzeb, the Mughals weakened, then King Sawai Jai Singh captured Mohammad Quliz and Mohammad Dahliz and captured Bhangarh.
Bhangarh Fort Haunted Stories
There are two stories about the desolation of Bhangarh:
1st Story of Yogi Balunath’s curse
According to the first story, where the fort of Bhangarh was constructed, the place was the tapasya of Yogi Balunath. He allowed Maharaja Bhagwant Das to build the Bhangarh Fort with the promise that the shadow of the fort should not fall on his tapastha at any cost.
Maharaja Bhagwantdas kept his promise, but Madhosingh defied this promise and started building the upper floors of the fort. Due to the construction of the upper floors, the fort of Bhangarh fell on the yogi site of Balunath.
When this happened, Yogi Balunath cursed with anger that this fort would not remain inhabited. The fort collapsed under the influence of his curse.
2nd Story of Princess Ratnavati and Tantric Sindhu Sevada:
According to this story, Princess Ratnavati of Bhangarh was very beautiful. Her form was discussed throughout Bhangarh and many princes were willing to marry her.
A tantric named Sindhu Sevada lived in the same state. He was proficient in black magic. On seeing Princess Ratnavati, he became enamored of her. He wanted to get the princess under any circumstances.
One day Princess Ratnavati’s maid went to the market to get makeup oil for her. Then Tantric Sindhu Sevada sent the Tantric powers to Ratnavati using the mantra on that oil. Her plan was that due to the influence of captivity, Princess Ratnavati would be drawn towards her.
But Princess Ratnavati understood the trick of the tantric and spilled that oil on a rock. Under the influence of tantra lore, that rock started moving towards Tantric Sindhu Sevada at a rapid pace. When the tantric saw his death with a rock, he cursed that Bhangarh would be ruined. Residents, there will die soon and their souls will always wander in Bhangarh. He died under a rock.
A few days after this incident, there was war in Bhangarh and Ajabgarh and Bhangarh was defeated in that war. After the war, Bhangarh was destroyed. The residents there died, even Princess Ratnavati could not survive. Bhangarh could never settle after that.
Today this fort is desolate in a dilapidated condition. If people agree, here comes the loud voices of someone crying and shouting at night. Many times a shadow has been said to be seen wandering here.
Nobody knows the truth about these things. But archaeologists have also called this fort unusual after the discovery.
Bhangarh Fort has been declared as a ghost by the Department of Archeology due to mysterious incidents. The board has been installed by them at the entrance of the fort. According to which entry into the fort is prohibited after sunrise and sunset.
The architecture of Bhangarh Fort:
Bhangarh Fort is surrounded by hills on three sides. There is a huge rampart in its front, which extends to the hills on both sides. An idol of Hanuman is installed in the main part of the ramparts.
The market starts upon entering from the main gate. The Tripolia Gate remains at the end of the market. From the Tripolia gate, one can enter the palace complex.
Places to visit in Bhangarh
Bhangarh has many scenic spots, among which Temples are prominent. The carving of the walls and pillars of the temples located here is excellent, which makes them grand.
The main temples located in the fort are listed below:
- Temple of Lord Someshwar
- Temple of Gopinath
- Temple of Mangala Devi
- Temple of Keshav Rai
The entire Bhangarh has turned into ruins. But the temples here are safe. However, there are no idols in the temples except the Shivalinga installed in the temple of Someshwar Mahadev. It is said that in this temple only Tantric Sindhu worship the descendants of Sevada.
There is also a stepwell situated near Someshwar Mahadev in the scenic spot, where the villagers take a bath. Apart from this, there are the remains of the demolished fort.
