5 must-see ghost towns in India: A journey through time

For those who don’t know, a ‘ghost town’ is a place which was once a thriving community but in time was deserted by its residents. These eerie, abandoned towns narrate tales from the past and can be witnessed across the globe.
India too has its fair share of ghost towns which are a beautiful amalgam of history, mystery, and natural beauty but with some eeriness around! These places, once bustling with life, have now stood still in time, offering an interesting glimpse into the past.
From forgotten villages to deserted forts, here are seven famous ghost towns in India:

Kuldhara till date remains a mystery! Set in the heart of the Thar Desert, near Jaisalmer, this abandoned village carries several mysteries and untold tales. As per local legends, the village was deserted overnight, with no trace of its inhabitants. It is said that before leaving the village, the residents put a curse here and since then Kuldhara remains devoid of humans.

Bhangarh is another Ghost Town in Rajasthan which is also referred to as one of the most haunted places in India. It is an infamous ghost town which, as per legends, was cursed by an evil tantrik (priest). He was the reason for the fort's eerie abandonment. Today, the place attracts adventure seekers and ghost busters from across the globe and remains a popular tourist spot in India.

Fatehpur Sikri is one of those abandoned ghost towns that carry the tag of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This is a fortified city in Uttar Pradesh constructed by Mughal Emperor Akbar in the 16th century. The place, once a thriving capital, stands today in ruins. It was abandoned due to water scarcity.

Dhanushkodi is among the most famous ghost towns in India. What once was a thriving community today stands as a devastated and abandoned town. Set at the southernmost tip of India, near the Palk Strait, the town was destroyed by a cyclone in 1964. And since then, it remains abandoned. Once here, you’ll get to see ruined churches, railway tracks, and abandoned houses which create a ghostly ambiance.

Lakhpat used to be a beautiful port town in Gujarat. But the town was abandoned after it was hit by a massive earthquake in the 19th century. The earthquake destroyed the whole town and now remains a ghost town. The remnants of Lakhpat, including its fort, temples, and old structures, narrate the silent tales from the past.

A picturesque hill station once inhabited by villagers, Chopta is now deserted, shrouded in mystery. While some say the villagers left due to natural disasters, others believe the village was abandoned due to the fear of supernatural forces. Today, Chopta remains a quiet place, with its abandoned temples and homes slowly being reclaimed by nature.