The Nagara Temples Inside Bhangarh’s Haunted Fort

By Meenakshi J

I was more interested in exploring the temples of Bhangarh, built in the Nagara style of architecture, while others were worried about its spookiness.

“Haunted,” claimed some. “We could hear strange voices and noises,” said others, while a few insisted there was nothing eerie about the place at all. These were some of the reactions from friends when they heard about our family trip to what is often called the most haunted fort in India.

I still remember the day of our visit to Bhangarh Fort in January this year. It was unusually sunny and bright for a winter morning in the region of the world’s oldest fold mountains—the Aravallis. They run diagonally, like a long scar, across the desert state of Rajasthan.

You may also like to read about our road trip to Alwar on a weekend getaway from Delhi

Family trip to Bhangarh: The most haunted fort in India

I chose a bright yellow outfit that could blind even the most determined ghosts of the fort. But why?

Well, I made sure to wear anything but black and kept my hair tied, as it is widely believed in parts of South India that the colour black and open hair attract spirits. Haha…

We began our trip to the most haunted fort in India from Alwar. En route, we halted at the famous Chand Baori in Abhaneri. That deserves a post of its own, but for now, let us move on to Bhangarh and its paradoxically beautiful temples.

With a prayer on my lips and a promise that none of us would wander off alone once inside the fort, we drove from Abhaneri through Dausa towards the village of Bhangarh.

The road to Bhangarh

The drive itself was smooth, but the region around Bhangarh looked strangely sparse and barren compared to the other villages along the way. What appeared from a distance like a single, forbidden hill slowly revealed itself as an extension of the Aravalli ridges.

The narrow road leading to Bhangarh can test one’s patience—not because it is haunted, but because it is dotted with craters big enough to swallow a small vehicle. The lane is uneven and cobbled in many places. A couple of tea stalls stand on either side, and that is about all the ‘living’ presence you will find. Old banyan trees, with their twisted roots and hanging branches, lend an added eeriness to the approach.

As we parked the car and walked towards the entrance, I noticed a couple of tourists carrying stones away from inside the fort—perhaps symbolic of their little conquest over the “haunted” ruins. Huh?

I have never quite understood why people take away such fragments of history, as if they somehow belong to them. Sigh.

Bhangarh fort: history as the most haunted fort in India

Bhangarh Fort in Rajasthan is widely described as one of the most haunted places in India. According to travel advisories, the Archaeological Survey of India prohibits visitors from staying inside the fort after sunset. Over the years, this restriction has given rise to numerous stories—of strange incidents, unexplained sounds, and other such anecdotes.

Historically, the fort was built by Raja Man Singh for his younger brother, Madho Singh, who is believed to have named the settlement after his grandfather, Bhan Singh.

Local lore and beliefs of Bhangarh

Many stories continue to circulate—on the internet, on news channels, and in the villages around Bhangarh. These range from the curse of a sadhu to the tale of a magician enchanted by Queen Ratnavati, as well as accounts of droughts and famine. Among these, the more plausible explanation points to a prolonged drought that may have led to the fort’s gradual abandonment.

Interestingly, when you speak to villagers or guides in the area, many dismiss these ghostly tales as exaggerations.

Some families have even returned to nearby Ajabgarh, making a living from the growing interest in the region. In that sense, Bhangarh today stands at the intersection of history, legend, and what is increasingly being called dark or ghost tourism.

Our first impressions of the most haunted fort in India

At my first glimpse of Bhangarh, I was reminded of the Golconda Fort in Hyderabad from years ago.

Golconda, too, had once looked abandoned and desolate, before restoration and maintenance changed its appearance.

Important architectural structures inside the Bhangarh Fort

The map of Bhangarh Fort at the entrance is fairly informative and helps visitors meander through the alleys of the complex. It offers a clear sense of how the settlement was once planned—with havelis, temples, bazaar streets, and various quarters, including the royal complexes.

The havelis here reminded me of those in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan. You may also like to read about the lesser-known havelis of Havelis of Kajra.

I won’t go into every corner of Bhangarh here, but even a short walk through the ruins gives a sense of how the settlement once functioned.

The silent bazaar of Bhangarh

The Jhouri Bazaar feels especially eerie, with the remains of what must have been a lively stretch of shops.

If you look closely, you will notice that many of these structures contain staircases tucked inside, yet their upper floors no longer exist.

The bazaar itself is quite vast, branching into narrow lanes in several directions. At the far end of this silent bazaar lies the entrance to the inner fort.

Temples inside the fort complex

Just inside, to the right, stands the ornately carved Gopinath Temple. A few yards to the left is the Someshwar Temple, with a quiet water tank beside it.

The Someshwar Temple, built in the Nagara style of architecture, houses a Shiv ling in its sanctum.

As I lingered near the entrance of the temple, beside the tank, I thought I could hear the faint tinkling of anklets. Strangely, neither my husband nor my son heard anything, and there was no one in the vicinity.

I told myself I was probably imagining it—after all, we had all grown up hearing stories about this haunted fort.

The Nagara style of architecture inside the Bhangarh fort

Haunted or not, the ruins of Bhangarh quietly speak of a bygone era through their architectural grace.

The temples stand as fine examples of the Nagara style. Looking at their relatively intact structures, I found myself wondering about the ghost stories. If the spirits were real, why were the temples spared while the rest of the complex fell to ruin?

The Gopinath Temple stands on a raised plinth, adorned with intricate carvings and ornate ceilings. Unlike the Someshwar Temple, however, its sanctum does not house an idol.

The palace ruins of Bhangarh

The main palace stands uphill and was once believed to be a seven-storeyed structure. Sadly, only three levels remain today. The complex is reached by a rather steep ramp.

As a pleasant surprise, the lawn stretching across the temple area is well-manicured, with palm trees standing tall and disciplined, almost as if bound by the spell of some long-gone ruler.

The fortified palace itself lies in a dilapidated state, though traces of its glorious past are still visible. The view from the king and queen’s chambers is breathtaking. I often think that if Instagram had existed in those days, these vistas would have trended effortlessly.

The wooded Kewda grove (Kewra)

Our guide—more of a local than an authorised one—took a detour as we began heading back. He led us down a narrow path into a small wooded stretch. The contrast was startling. While the fort area looked dry and sparse, this patch was lush and green, with peacocks and birds perched on the branches of old trees.

He showed us the roots of a tree that, according to him, housed a natural spring. The water trickling from it was said to feed the tanks inside the fort.

It sounded both believable and improbable at the same time. Most of Bhangarh appears dry and drought-prone, yet here was a pocket of uninterrupted greenery. It felt almost like an oasis in the middle of a deserted landscape.

Then again, these hills do turn lush during the monsoons, transforming the entire region into something quite breathtaking.

Bhangarh Fort still haunts me

Though our family trip to Bhangarh passed without any untoward incident, two moments from that day still linger in my memory—the faint sound of anklets near the temple tank that no one else could hear, and the sight of a twisted root hanging from a banyan tree, eerily resembling a suspended figure.

See if you can spot it in the photograph below.

Practical information on visiting Bhangarh

How to reach the Bhangarh Fort

By Road

• We visited Bhangarh Fort on a road-trip from Alwar. Our first halt was Abhaneri and then the fort.
• The time taken to reach Bhangarh from Abhaneri is around 90mins for 65 km and around 140mins for 90km. From Delhi, it takes around 6hrs, by road.
• The fort can also be reached from Jaipur. Distance from Jaipur to Bhangarh is 85 km. It takes around 90mins to reach Bhangarh.

By Air

• The nearest airport is in Jaipur.

By Train

• The nearest railway station is either Dausa or Bhan Kari.

Best time to visit the Bhangarh Fort and its many temples

October to March are generally considered the best months to explore Rajasthan.

However, if you are planning a visit to Alwar and Bhangarh specifically, I would suggest the monsoon season, when the Aravalli hills turn lush and green. The landscape looks far more alive during this time.

And while you are in Alwar, do take some time to visit the Moosi Maharani Ki Chhatri.

Planning a visit to Bhangarh?

If you’d rather not drive, several guided day trips from Jaipur combine Bhangarh with nearby heritage sites like Abhaneri and Alwar.

Popular tours:

Jaipur: Haunted Bhangarh Fort and Abhaneri Stepwell Day Trip
From Jaipur: Chand Baori and Bhangarh Fort Tour
Jaipur: Bhangarh and Abhaneri All-Inclusive Excursion

If you are staying near Sariska, you could also combine your trip with a Sariska Tiger Reserve safari for a mix of wildlife and history.

You may also like to read our complete guide to visiting the Sariska National Park in Rajasthan.

FAQ: Visiting Bhangarh Fort

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