The Incredible Story Of Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan

Posted On April 27, 2021

Rajasthan: A vibrant land of culture

The idea of exploring Rajasthan has always excited me, and I got to visit the state recently, and it was nothing short of a wonder! It is a state that brims with culture and architecture marvel with the likes of forts and palaces. The regionally cultured people are extremely warm and who, to date, hold up the traditions and practices that inevitably preserve the rich heritage prevalent in the state.

When you think of Rajasthan, picture this – large hills that house historic forts and palaces, colorful streets with people wearing large turbans, and that serve spicy street food. It’s a state that is house to vibrant folk art, dance, and music.

Tourism in Rajasthan

Rajasthan is one of the best places to visit if you are a history aficionado, for every wall of every fort and palace has a fascinating tale behind it. Rajasthan is a state with something for everyone in it. It is the perfect place for culture and history buffs as the state boasts plenty of historical monuments and cultural history.

Some of the most famous forts include Mehrangarh, Chittorgarh, Jaisalmer, Junagadh, and the Kumbhalgarh Fort, the second largest fort in India. Off all the majestic forts that the statehouses, the story of Bhangarh Fort is something that drew me towards making a trip to Rajasthan! Apart from this, the state also houses Hindu and Jain temples like the Eklingji temple, Someshwara temple, and more, known for their exquisite architecture.

If you are a wildlife enthusiast, then Rajasthan ticks your box of wildlife tourism as well. Despite being an arid and hot state, Rajasthan is wealthy in wildlife, offering tourists interesting birdwatching and tiger-sighting moments. The most famous wildlife parks in Rajasthan are the Ranthambore National Park and Sariska National Park, which are the best places to spot the famous Royal Bengal Tigers. The Keoladeo National Park, also known as Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary, is a UNESCO Heritage site famous for bird watching, with at least 230 bird species housed in the space.

To best experience, Rajasthan, visit the state between October and February. The weather is cool around that time, making it an ideal time for sightseeing and experiencing what the state has to offer pleasantly.

The Story of Bhangarh Fort: To kindle your curiosity

When in Rajasthan, one should not miss paying a visit to Bhangarh Fort. Sure, the state houses many famous forts, but the Bhangarh Fort is one that comes bearing several spine-chilling haunted tales of mystery.

Are you into mysteries and enjoy haunted stories? The story of Bhangarh Fort, located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, is sure to kindle the curiosity in you, giving you endless tales to exchange at camps and fireplaces with your fellow travel geeks.

Before we delve deeper into exploring the mysteries surrounding the fort, let’s read through what history has to say about the origins of the Fort. The Fort is located in Alwar district’s Bhangarh village, guarded by the mightly Aravali hills. Bhangarh, the town itself, is a prehistoric site that houses several temples that add to the crown of Rajasthan.

The Bhangarh Fort was built during Akbar’s time, by his general Man Singh I, in the 17th Century. Raja Bhagwant Singh built the fort itself for his younger son Madho Singh in 1573 AD. Man Singh was also Madho Singh’s brother. The village that was once flourishing in all aspects suddenly became desolate. This, being beyond people’s understanding, paved the way to the many haunted legends the Fort is today known by.

As mentioned earlier, being a prehistoric site, entry to the Bhangarh Fort is prohibited before and after sunset.

The incredible and the mysterious Bhangarh Fort

When I visited Rajasthan, I made sure to visit Bhangarh. There are not just one, but many tales that spin mystery around Bhangarh Fort and the village. This fort is said to be one of the most haunted places in India. And my visit to the Fort was nothing short of “eerie”.

The drive to the fort is a very quiet one as the roads seem abandoned and lonely. We, however, spotted a few locals and children sitting in front of old, worn-out houses, which added to the eerieness. On hearing the many stories of Bhangarh and the Fort, I could not help but wonder how they manage to live in the village fearlessly.

The villagers there truly believe that the Bhangarh Fort is a sanctum for ghosts and claim to have heard screams of women and sounds of bangles breaking and strange music from the fort.

Here are a few stories of Bhangarh Fort my guide told me while taking me through the fort. Documented over the years, these creepy tales have had Bhangarh and the Fort in a state of constant mystery.

The wrath of Guru Balu Nath!

There’s one story of Bahangarh Fort that explains the city’s sudden crumbling down. It is that of the Guru Balu Nath’s wrath. It is said that the then Emperor Madho Singh built the town with the approval of saint Balu Nath, who meditated there. The saint permitted him upon the condition that the Emperor’s palace should not shadow his retreat.

However, once the construction was complete, it so happened that the palace’s shadow was cast on the Guru Balu’s retreat, thereby incurring his wrath. This transformed into a curse, which immediately crumbled down the entire village. Since then, it has been impossible to restore the village. No structure built there has managed to survive.

To date, the remains of Guru Balu Nath’s tomb can be spotted among the ruins of the village.

Of Princess Ratnavati and the smitten Magician

This is a story of unrequited, one-sided love. Personally, this spooked me out more than Guru Balu Nath’s story.

Princess Ratnavati was known for her grace and charm, and tales about her beauty transcended kingdoms across the nation, inviting suitors from all over. One such suitor was a sorcerer who knew he was no match for her and stood no chance of marrying her. He still decided to pursue her and planned to cast a spell on her.

One day, he spotted Ratnavati’s maid in the market buying perfume and cast a spell on it. Ratnavai, who came to know this, threw it on the ground. This turned into a rock and crushed the magician. Before dying, he cursed the town of Bhangarh, and the town hasn’t been able to be restored since.

The guide, a local of Rajasthan, looked very profound while narrating these stories. He also mentioned that the locals here had experienced peculiar energy following them and slapped them even in some instances. He also mentioned that a few of them have been able to smell mysterious fragrances in and around the fort.

Overall, my trip to Rajasthan was a very vibrant one, but what stood out for me was my visit to Bhangarh. It was both spooky and intriguing at the same time. Never miss visiting this beautiful place, just to hear the story of Bhangarh Fort!

FAQs – Incredible Story Of Bhangarh Fort

– Why is Bhangarh fort closed at night?
Bhangarh Fort has a very spooky haunted story attached to it. But then again, like every other tourist place, Bhangarh fort is closed at night, but the spooky story of Bhangarh fort can also be a contributory factor.

– Is Bhangarh Fort safe to visit?
Yes, it is safe to visit Bhangarh fort. There are many local guides to guide you. But If you are terrified of ghosts, this might not be an ideal place for you. But then again, if you are trying to combat your fear of ghosts, then this might be the best place for you to visit.

– Is the story behind the Bhangarh fort true?
It is unsure if the story of Bhangarh fort is true or not. But it does have a real age-old story and history attached to it, which has been passed down for generations.

– Why is Bhangarh Fort famous?
Bhangarh fort is an age-old historic fort that was built in the 17th century by Man Sing, who was in Akbar’s troops. Bhangarh fort is famous for its architectural style and also the spooky story that it holds.

– How did Rani Ratnavati die?
A sorcerer cursed Rani Ratnavati and the town Bhangarh before dying. A couple of days later, Princess Ratnavati and the people of Bhangarh were killed in a war with Ajabgarh.