Kuldhara village located in the Jaisalmer of Rajasthan earned the name of Village of Ghosts because of sudden disappearance of its inhabitants overnight. The village was established in 19th century by a community of Paliwal Brahmins and it was abondoned from 1825. The locals of Jaisalmer said that due to heavy taxes by the Diwan Salim Singh, Paliwals left the village and cursed it no one will be ever settle in the village after their departure.
Journey from Kuldhara Village to Village of GhostsÂ
Kuldhara village is an abandoned village located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. If you ever plan to visit Jaisalmer, you must explore this place, as it is available for tourists. However, Kuldhara village has a long history.
Turning back to the 13th century, the village was established by the hardworking and prosperous community of Paliwal Brahmins. This community developed an irrigation system in the village and made it inhabitable. Around 1500 inhabitants comfortably live in the village.
However, it has a dark history too. Soon the prosperity of the village turns into a misfortune with the arrival of Diwan Salim Singh. Salim Singh was the ruthless and debauched prime minister of the state who wanted to marry the daughter of the village head. Even he threatened the villagers to increase the taxes and penalties in the village if they did not fulfil his wish.
However, instead of adhering to the Diwan’s demand, the Paliwals organized a council and decided not to obey the tyrant’s wish. Salim Singh got angry about that and decided to increase the village’s tax.
After being informed of the decision, people from 85 villages fled from their ancestral houses overnight. It was folklore that these people cursed the village so that no one would be able to live there again. According to the legend, if anyone wanted to settle in the village after their departure, they would face a painful death. The next day, all the villagers suddenly vanished, and the village remained barren.
This is the mystery of the Kuldhara village of Rajasthan which was ruined overnight. Since then, no one has been able to settle in the village. Even the people who live in the village at night experience different paranormal activities.
Is the curse on Kuldhara real?
Kuldhara, the Village of Ghosts in Rajasthan was once the home of Paliwal Brahmin’s community, however, in the era of 1825, suddenly all the villagers disappeared mysteriously. So, it might be interesting to find out the scientific reasons behind it. Is it a curse for which people since then have not been able to settle in the village or there might be another reason behind it?
The story of the tyrant of Salim Singh was popular behind the mystery of the Village of Ghosts, but some historians also claim another reasons behind the abundance of the village. A group of historians believed that the community of the village abandoned the village because of scarcity of water.
A river ran through the village, but over time it was getting dried. The ground level water was also started to fall dramatically. The villagers were not getting enough drinking water and due to this they had to leave the place and shift another place.
Besides historians, some scientists also explore the place and found that during the 19th century Kuldhara and neighbouring villages of it were collapsed due to heavy earthquake. The scientists investigated on the buildings and according to them, the condition of the buildings indicates sizable earthquakes. Due to this, the Paliwals decided to leave the village to save their lives from the extensive damage.
However, no one became able to find out the curse is real or not but a team of paranormal experts visited the place with advanced technologies. A team of 18 people, experienced different paranormal activities from moving shadows, haunting voices, talking spirits and other paranormal activities.
The economical perspectives of the Village of Ghosts
The village in Rajasthan is currently preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India as a heritage site. If the paranormal activities are not real, but it attracts tourists because of its stories of haunting experiences. Thousands of tourists from other countries visit the place to explore the mystery of paranormal activities each year.
Therefore, it might be said that because of being a part of the heritage site of Rajasthan, the place was not reclaimed by the Rajasthan government. The heritage site of Kuldhara village contributed significantly in the economy of the state, not through resettlement but through tourism.
The place is also used for shotting films. The eerie and mysterious atmosphere of the village attracts several film directors to shoot in the place. Some of the notable films are Kaalo (2010), Agent Vinod (2012), Tumbbad (2018), Paranormal shows and documentaries. This also contributed to the economy of Rajasthan.
Other Ghost Towns of Rajasthan
Bhangarh Fort:
The Bhangarh fort is located in Alwar District, Rajasthan. It was built in the 17th century by Raja Madho Singh. Different folklore has been found behind the mystery of the Bhangarh fort. Several people in this fort, feels paranormal activities including footsteps, strange noises, cold spots, shadows and more.
It was also a folklore that, the Bhangarh Fort was also cursed by a hermit named Guru Balu Nath. The hermit warned the if the fort’s shadows ever touched the meditation spot of him the village will be immediately destroyed.
Another folklore of wizard also famous. It has been said that once a wizard fell in love with the princess of Bhangarh, Ratnavati. The wizard being infatuated with the princess want to bewitch her with a love potion. But his plan failed and he was killed by his own black magic but before dying he cursed the city to eventually ruined the city and no one could ever live in the city.
Nahargarh Fort:
Nahargarh Fort is situated in the Arvalli hills of Rajasthan and was built by Sawai Raja Man Singh with a sky-high walls to save the fort from enemies. However, it is folklore that the fort is haunted by the spirit of Nahar Singh Bhomia. He cursed the fort when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II dismissed his request of relocating the construction from his sacred land.
Chand Baori:
A stunning stepwell in Rajasthan, Chand Baori, is stated as a haunted place. It is said that the spirit of local princess cursed the stepwell when she tragically lost her life while fetching water from it. Tourists often reports that they have experiences paranormal activities such as eerie sounds, cold spots, feeling of being watched and more while exploring the sites.
FAQ
1. What is Kuldhara Village, and why is it called the Village of Ghosts?
Kuldhara village is an abandoned village located in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. It is called the Village of Ghosts because of the sudden disappearance of its inhabitants overnight.
2. When was Kuldhara established and abandoned?
The village was established in 19th century by a community of Paliwal Brahmins and it was abandoned from 1825.
3. Who was Diwan Salim Singh, and what role did he play in the history of Kuldhara?
Salim Singh was the ruthless and debauched prime minister of the state who wanted to marry the daughter of the village head. Even he threatened the villagers to increase the taxes and penalties in the village if they did not fulfill his wish.
4. What are some theories about why the villagers abandoned Kuldhara?
Some historians also claim another reasons behind the abundance of the village. A group of historians believed that the community of the village abandoned the village because of scarcity of water. Besides historians, some scientists also explore the place and found that during the 19th century Kuldhara and neighbouring villages of it were collapsed due to heavy earthquake.
5. What kind of paranormal activities have been reported in Kuldhara?
Even the people who live in the village at night experience different paranormal activities.
6. How does Kuldhara Village contribute to the economy of Rajasthan?
The village is currently preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India as a heritage site. Thousands of tourists from other countries visit the place to explore the mystery of paranormal activities each year.
7. What is the legend behind Bhangarh Fort?
The Bhangarh fort is located in Alwar District, Rajasthan. It was also a folklore that, the Bhangarh Fort was also cursed by a hermit named Guru Balu Nath.
8. What are the haunting legends associated with Nahargarh Fort?
However, it is folklore that the fort is haunted by the spirit of Nahar Singh Bhomia. He cursed the fort when Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II dismissed his request of relocating the construction from his sacred land.
9. What is the story behind Chand Baori?
Chand Baori, is stated as a haunted place. It is said that the spirit of local princess cursed the stepwell when she tragically lost her life while fetching water from it.
