Rajasthan has many forts, but none of them is as strange as Bhangarh Fort. This fort is on the border of Sariska National Park, which is in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Bhangarh Fort has been in the news for several reasons. But the common ones are due to the strange happenings and sounds that come from the fort. Researchers have found paranormal activities within the fort at night. The ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) has put up a signboard warning the visitors to not venture into the fort at night. Indeed, some many myths and legends are connected to this mystical Bhangarh Fort. 

History of Bhangarh Fort

Bhagwant Das, who was a Rajput king, built Bhangarh Fort in the 16th century. He built the fort for his son, Madho Singh. The fort was built in the rugged terrain of Aravalli Hills. The king chose the sloping terrain on the foot of a hill as the ideal location for this fort. The landscape around the fort included river streams, a pond, and a large forest. The rulers of Bhangarh Fort made elaborate havelis, temples, palaces, and gates inside the fort.

Bhangarh Story 1

The story of Bhangarh Fort starts much before the fort was constructed. At the place, where Bhangarh Fort stands right now, there used to live a sadhu (holy ascetic) called Bala Nath. It happened that Madho Singh, who was a Rajput ruler, wanted to build a fort at the place where Bala Nath lived. He obtained permission from Bala Nath to build the fort. But the ascetic granted this permission on one condition no house should be taller than his house. Madho Singh agreed to the condition. When Madho Singh died, his successors continued the construction of the fort. They built vertical columns and it so happened that the shadow of these columns fell on Bala Nath’s house. Soon the fort started to fall apart and within no time, all the residents of Bhangarh town started to flee realizing the curse of the sage.

Bhangarh Story 2

Once there was a princess of Bhangarh called Ratnavati. She was very beautiful and everyone found her to be very charming. One day a black magician (tantric) saw Ratnavati and fell in love with her. He tried to charm the princess and asked her to marry him. But Princess Ratnavati rejected him every time. One day the evil magician tried one last trick to woo the princess. He made a cosmetic and put a magic spell in the cosmetic, so that when the princess applied that cosmetic she would begin to love the magician. But the princess came to know of the evil ways of the black magician. She threw the magic cosmetic potion on a boulder. The huge boulder rolled on the black magician and crushed him to death. But before dying, the black magician cursed the entire town of Bhangarh and said that no one would ever be able to settle in the town and live happily.

Legends about Bhangarh Fort

There are many legends about Bhangarh Fort. People say that it is the haunt of ghosts who roam about the premises at night. It is indeed a strange fact that the residents of Bhangarh Fort fled the town due to fear. There is no sensible reason behind this and all these point to one thing and that is the haunted nature of the fort. No person has been able to live in Bhangarh to date peacefully, and if they did try, they left or died.

Bhangarh Fort at night

ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) has banned entry to Bhangarh Fort at night. There is a signboard that warns tourists not to enter the fort after sunset. They impose a heavy fine on anyone who ventures inside the fort, ignoring the warning. The chilling and eerie paranormal beings who live inside the fort are the reason for such a strange warning. Even if someone did manage to stay inside the fort would not return safely in the morning.

Bhangarh Fort during the day

But you can safely visit Bhangarh Fort during the day, despite such haunted stories. The fort is in ruins, but these are perfectly preserved. You can spot some temples in the fort area and other ruins. The ruins are a reminder of the prosperous times of Bhangarh.

How to reach Bhangarh Fort

You can reach Bhangarh Fort from Delhi, Alwar and Jaipur. Alwar is the nearest place to Bhangarh Fort. You will get taxi cabs from these places to reach Bhangarh Fort.

Bhangarh Fort timings

6 AM to 6 PM

The best time to visit

October to February

Entry Fees

Free to enter