There are an infinite number of Dark Tourism Places in India but do you know what exactly is Dark Tourism and what makes people curious about it’s exploration? Well, let us help you with that and tell you all about Dark Tourism and what makes it popular. As kids, we often heard stories about dilapidated houses, forts, palaces, or just ruins where strange paranormal activities were reported. You cannot deny that we have all heard about the spooky stories of various abandoned sites. As kids we were scared to even think about it, and story alone gave us nightmares, but as we grew up we became more curious and a little less scared.
This curiosity that people have, makes them want to explore these top dark tourism places in India to see what the fuss is about and witness what the others have been saying is true or just stories that people are making up.
Well, it is not just about the places with haunted stories but also about places where a tragedy or a massacre took place.
Let’s check out the best Dark Tourism places in India:
If you wish to explore the famous Dark Tourism Places in India, then you can check out the Jallianwala Bagh, which is located in the heart of Amritsar. We are no strangers to the history of the Jallianwala Bagh and the massacre that took place on the fateful day of April 13, 1919, during the rule of the oppressive British colonial rule. In a tragic and shocking display of brutality, the British troops that was led by the General Reginald Dyer opened fire on the gathering of unarmed Indian protests resulting in the deaths of hundreds of protesters, leaving several injured.
Jallianwala Bagh is one of the best places to visit Dark Tourism spots in India with its horrific history that attracts more and more people to come here for Dark Tourism.
Location: Amritsar
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Another spot in our list of best Dark Tourism places in India is the Roopkund Lake, located in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. As beautiful as it is, Roopkund Lake is an eerie and spooky place with plenty of dark stories that have been popular among the locals, making it one of the best Dark tourism Spots in India. The Roopkund Lake is often referred to as the Skeleton Lake which holds mysterious secrets behind its pristine waters. In the year 1942, there was a British Forest Guard stumbled across hundreds of skeletons that were scattered on the shore of the lake and some submerged under the icy depths, making it one of the most beautiful Dark Tourism destinations in India.
The skeleton remains that are found here are believed to be from the 9th century and there are numerous theories. According to popular beliefs, there was a catastrophic hailstorm or an avalanche that caused the deaths of a large number of travellers, hence the skeletons.
Location: Chamoli
Kuldhara is a village that is steeped in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan featuring a mysterious history and the chilling tale that is related to its abandonment. The village used to be a thriving settlement during the early 19th century, and was inhabited by the Paliwal Brahmins of Kuldhara. The village was deserted overnight, leaving behind the hauntingly empty village, making it one of the best Dark tourism Spots in India.
As per the legends, it is believed that the villagers left the village in a hurry and cursed the land as they departed. However the reason for their abrupt departure is still a mystery. Some believed that it was related to the high taxation that was followed, while others believed that it was haunted.
It is still a mystery and to this date, it is among the top Dark Tourism Places in India.
Location: Thar Desert Rajasthan
4. Cellular Jail Port Blair
Another one of the popular and the best Dark Tourism places in India is the Cellular Jail in Port Blair on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The Cellular Jail in Port Blair is popularly known as Kala Pani, and it serves as a haunting symbol of India’s fight for Independence. Now why is Cellular Jail in Port Blair on our list of Top Dark Tourism Places in India? Well, the inmates in the Jail had to go through immense suffering and endured severe appalling conditions, including overcrowding, brutal treatment, forced labour, and each prisoner was held in solitary confinement, which led to the name Cellular Jail.
The architecture of the Jail was itself designed in a way that restricts communication with the outside world, and there were several deaths due to the immense torture that the inmates had to go through, making it one of the best Dark Tourism places in India.
Location: Port Blair Andaman & Nicobar Island
Shaniwar Wada is a historic fort in Pune that is another one of the popular Dark tourism Spots in India and was constructed during the Maratha Dynasty in the year 1732. The place is popular for its historical significance, boasting a chilling and haunted history that captures the attention of dark tourists and thrill seekers. If you wish to explore the famous Dark tourist places in India, then Shaniwar Wada is the absolute best place for a spine-tingling tale of tragedy and ghostly apparitions. So as far as the local tales, there was a young prince Narayan, who was brutally murdered within the walls of the fort and his untimely demise has left a lingering spirit that roams around in the fort’s premises.
Due to the stories, Shaniwar Wada is among the top Dark Tourism Places in India, and it is believed that the place remains haunted and is a magnet for people who wish to explore Dark Places, making it the top Dark Tourism Places in India.
Location: Pune
6. Union Carbide Factory Bhopal
One of the most hazardous and the best Dark Tourism places in India was an industrial hazard of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy on 3rd December 1984, when tons of Toxic Methyl Isocyanides(MIC) gas was leaked due to the ignorance of maintenance parts by the high officials from the Union Carbide, affecting more than 500,000 people living in the area. High toxic substances in the air led to damage to the lungs of the people, which resulted in deaths and left thousands with a burning sensation.
Such tragedy is the reason why the Union Carbide Factory remains one of the top Dark Tourism Places in India.
Location: Bhopal
