HYDERABAD: Kalavantin Durg
Deemed one of the toughest treks in Maharashtra, the Kalavantin Durg fort is situated in the Sahayadri mountains. According to legend, the fort at a height of 2300 feet approximately was built for a queen named Kalavantin around 500 BC, but that is only thing known about the fort which gives off a very spooky vibe due to its location. There are steps which have been cut into the rock leading up to the top, the trek to the top can be quite treacherous and should be undertaken under expert guidance or along with experienced trekkers. The trek begins from the village of Shedung and takes about three hours. Once you reach the top, you can see the Chanderi, Ped, Matheran, Karnala and Ershal forts, the city of Mumbai is also visible. As monsoon makes the steep steps very slippery, it’s advisable to visit this place between October and May. Kalavantin Durg is located near Prabhalgad fort near Thakurwadi at a distance of 19 km from Panvel which is accessible by train.
Bhangarh
Considered one of the most haunted places, Bhangarh is located in Alwar, Rajasthan. Once a beautiful city that housed mini havelis painted in bright colours and detailed frescoes, Bhangarh is a but a mere reflection of its past. The Archeological Survey of India has even posted a sign prohibiting people from entering the city before sunrise and after sunset. People who have ventured into Bhangarh during these times have never returned. Founded in early 1600s, there are many myths associated with Bhangarh, one of them goes that a sorcerer who was trying to cast a spell over Ratnawati, princess of Bhangarh cursed the place. According to legend, the black magician prepared a love potion to make her fall in love with him, but the princess came to know about it and threw the potion away. The potion fell on a boulder which rolled over the black magician killing him. Before dying, the sorcerer cursed the place saying it would be destroyed and would turn to ruins. Another feature you will see here is there are no roofs on the houses due to a popular belief that the house will collapse if you build a rooftop. Even during the day, Bhangarh has an eerie feel.
Dumas Beach
Who would have thought a beach could be haunted? But the Dumas Beach located along the Arabian Sea in Surat, Gujarat is said to have paranormal activity. Visitors have reported strong winds that carry hushed and strange whispers. Dogs who are said to have a sense of paranormal activities start howling on the beach during night. The beach is thought to have tortured spirits of the dead, this could be due to the place being used for cremation by the Hindu population previously. Though the beach is believed to be haunted, it remains a popular tourist attraction. Whatever the myth, people love a ghost story anytime.