From black magic to intense hauntings; these places in India have hair-raising tales

India, a land so rich in cultural and historical diversity, is also home to numerous sites shrouded in mystery and supernatural lore, ones that may leave you sleepless, and not in a good way.

From ancient villages where black magic is said to be practiced, to forts and palaces with tragic histories echoing through their walls, these places offer spine-chilling tales that intrigue and terrify in equal measure. There are some places in India that have, in reality, moved so far away from their “dark” past, but thanks to this thing called “word of mouth”, these places are still recognised for their notoriety. Strange but true.

Legends of occult practices, ghostly apparitions, and eerie sounds pervade these locations (or as what is being told about them), creating an atmosphere of fear and fascination. These stories, passed down through generations, are deeply woven into the fabric of local culture and folklore. Whether it’s the tales of wandering spirits seeking justice, curses that haunt entire regions, or unexplained phenomena that defy scientific reasoning, one thing is for sure, they make some fantastic travel tales.

Here we are with three such very intriguing places and their deeply disturbing tales.

Mayong, Assam

Nestled in the Morigaon district of Assam, Mayong is often referred to as the Land of Black Magic. The village has a long-standing reputation for its association with the occult, witchcraft, and supernatural phenomena. As per the locals, Mayong is not only a part of Assamese folklore but also finds references in ancient Hindu texts like the Mahabharata. It is said that Ghatotkacha, the son of Bheema, acquired his magical abilities from Mayong before participating in the epic battle of the Mahabharata. Back in the day, Mayong village was where occult practices were common. It is said that the knowledge of the occult practices cannot be passed down to someone who is not originally from the village. Hence, even today, you will find families where this knowledge is passed down generations.

It is said that practitioners of black magic in Mayong could perform extraordinary feats such as disappearing into thin air, transforming people into animals, or healing ailments with a single touch. That’s not even scratching the surface. It is also said that back then, (allegedly) human sacrifices or narbali were also a part of the practice. Today, one can most definitely visit Mayong, and explore the Mayong Central Museum and Emporium, which houses artifacts and manuscripts related to black magic.

Shaniwar Wada, Pune

Shaniwar Wada is an 18th-century fortification in Pune, Maharashtra. The fort is famous not only for its historical significance but also for its eerie tales of haunting. Built in 1732 by the Peshwa Baji Rao I, the fort’s grandeur is overshadowed by the tragic story of Narayan Rao, a young Peshwa prince. According to legend, Narayanrao was brutally murdered within the fort’s walls by his uncle and his guards. Several locals and visitors to the fort have said that the fort is haunted, and sometimes, his chilling cries for help can be heard too. “Kaka mala vachva” (Uncle, save me), it says…

Betul, Madhya Pradesh

Here lies a small village called Malajpur, where every year the famous Ghost Fair of Malajpur takes place. Malajpur village is notorious for its stories of possession and encounters with ghosts, with the Ghost Fair being a tradition dating back over 300 years. The fair is described as a tense and eerie gathering, where thousands of possessed individuals congregate, and supernatural incidents are said to occur frequently. Local priests perform exorcism rituals, including intense prayers and physical beatings with brooms, to rid the possessed of their demons. Once the exorcisms are successful, a strange calm descends, and it’s believed that the spirits are trapped forever in the leaves of the resident banyan trees. Interestingly, the path leading to these trees is avoided, believed to be the route taken by the spirits, and even their shadows are feared by the villagers.