Top 15 Haunted Places to Visit in Delhi

Delhi houses a myriad of tourist destinations, offering something for all kinds of travellers. In this urban jungle, various ancient gateways, forts, and sites hold unfathomable and mysterious stories of supernatural and paranormal incidents, making the city one of the best haunted places to visit in India. Horror enthusiasts and adventurous travellers continue to read to uncover the most terrifying and supernatural places in Delhi, guaranteeing an unforgettable and one-of-a-kind travel experience. Get ready to feel the unparalleled adrenaline spike!

List of Top 15 Haunted Places to Visit in Delhi

1. Delhi Cantonment
2. Khooni Darwaza
3. The Feroz Shah Kotla
4. Dwarka Sector 9 Metro Station
5. Bhuli Bhatiyari Ka Mahal
6. Lothian Cemetery
7. Sanjay Van
8. Jamali Kamali
9. Khooni Nadi
10. The Karkardooma Delhi Court
11. Malcha Mahal
12. Chor Minar
13. Mutiny House
14. The Ridge
15. House Number W-3

1. Delhi Cantonment

Delhi Cantonment, also renowned as “Delhi Cantt,” houses numerous significant defence institutions, including the Indian Army headquarters, the Defence Services Officers Institute, Army and Air Force Public Schools, and other defence-related institutions. Besides defence installations, the area is prominent for paranormal instances, as claimed by the residents and security guards.

• Urban Legend: Locals and security guards have witnessed sudden occurrences of a lady in a white saree asking for a ride. Then, all of a sudden, she either vanishes or follows the vehicles of those declining to give her a ride. It is believed that the lady is from the British era, and her spirit wanders in the cantonment due to some tragic incident that led to her death at this very place.
• Incidents: Fatal car crashes, bike collisions, and stabbing incidents have taken place at the very place where the lady in white has been spotted.

2. Khooni Darwaza

Khooni Darwaza (Bloody Gate) also referred as “Lal Darwaaza,” is one of the thirteen surviving gates in Delhi, located near the Delhi Gate. Built by Sher Shah Suri, the gate is assumed to have witnessed extreme bloodshed from 1739 till 1857 during the Mughal reign.

• Urban Legend: It is believed that the murder of freedom fighters, especially the execution of Bahadur Shah Zafar's sons—Mirza Mughal and Mirza Khizr Sultan, and grandson—Mirza Abu Bakht, led to the horrific aspect of the gateway, and the souls remain there.
• Incidents: When exploring the Khooni Darwaaza, visitors often get a strange and frightening feeling, and are also able to hear screaming, certain voices, and weird sounds.

3. The Feroz Shah Kotla

The Feroz Shah Kotla, also known as the “Kotla,” is a fortress built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq. In addition to its architectural brilliance, visitors also tour the fortress because of its dark and horrifying history, which still traumatizes people.

• Urban Legend: Some believe that “djinns” (supernatural spirits in Islamic mythology) are hidden in dark corners and undiscovered paths. On the other hand, some associate the haunted factor of the fortress with the trapped spirits of individuals who were trapped by Feroz Shah Tughlaq using black magic and practices to summon supernatural power. These dead individuals are believed to linger in a nearby 14th-century burial ground.
• Incidents: Visitors have experienced various paranormal activities, such as encountering shadowy figures, inexplicable cold spots, being touched or pushed by an invisible force, and listening to unexplained whispers.

4. Dwarka Sector 9 Metro Station

The Dwarka Sector 9 Metro Station is located on the Delhi Metro's Blue Line. It not only manages the daily passenger volume but also has a very mysterious, unfathomable, and supernatural story that makes it one of the most haunted places in Delhi.

• Urban Legend: It is speculated that a woman met with a horrifying and fatal accident decades ago near the Banyan tree situated near the Dwarka Sector 9 metro. Rumours say that the woman’s spirit still remains near the tree.
• Incidents: People who walk past the Banyan tree at night feel an invisible force slapping them. It is also believed that the spirit brings misfortune to those passing by the tree.

5. Bhuli Bhatiyari Ka Mahal

Bhuli Bhatiyari Ka Mahal is one of Delhi's most popular haunted places. Numerous stories, narratives, and rumours have been floating over the internet and among the locals, especially since a blogger examined the site. Built by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, the palace served as a hunting lodge and a courtyard.

• Urban Legend: Rumours believe that the palace is haunted by the spirit of a queen who was punished for infidelity and buried alive on the premises. Locals also believe that a servant named Bhuli Bhatiyari, who disappeared in the surrounding forest, is still roaming the palace.
• Incidents: Echo of a woman's cry through the corridors, a sudden drop in the temperature, and many more paranormal activities are reported by the visitors.

6. Lothian Cemetery

Coming up next on the list is Lothian Cemetery, also known as Nicholson Cemetery, one of Delhi’s oldest Christian cemeteries. It was constructed in the 18th century and witnessed the violent and cruel colonial period, which is the source of the haunted element in this cemetery.

• Urban Legend: It is believed that spirits of the buried soldiers, especially Sir Nicholas, who fell in love with a woman and took his own life due to the relationship failure.
• Incidents: Visitors often notice a headless British soldier’s ghost, believed to be wandering in the cemetery searching for his love. People also hear the man’s cry for the woman he loves, feel a sudden cold breeze, and feel as if someone is watching them.

7. Sanjay Van

Sanjay Van is a sprawling forest area situated in Delhi near Vasant Kunj and Mehrauli. Numerous visitors have reported paranormal activities that make the forest’s dark and secluded atmosphere more frightening at night.

• Urban Legend: Various murders have taken place, and dead bodies have been found in the Sanjay Van. It is assumed that the van contains the spirits of various entities.
• Incidents: Visitors often watch a lady in white, hear unseen children’s laughter, see a saint walking along an illuminated path, and see someone lighting candles under trees.

8. Jamali Kamali

The Jamali Kamali Mosque and Tomb is a Sufi Mosque and mausoleum complex comprising the tombs of Jamali and Kamali. The monument is not only of archaeological significance but also has various horrifying stories etched on its tomb.

• Urban Legend: Legends say that Sufi saint Jamali and his companion Kamali loved each other deeply, and their graves have special pen boxes symbolising their love. It is believed that these boxes keep their souls in the tomb.
• Incidents: A group of friends who planned to visit the tomb at midnight reported feeling a sudden chill in the air and hearing the echoes of footsteps. Locals, guides, and caretakers also noticed shadowy figures, strange sounds, and animal growling.

9. Khooni Nadi

The historic waterway and lake flowing near Rohini have a dark history related to haunted stories and beliefs regarding the lake, various deaths, and missing cases. The water is not deep enough to take someone’s life, but its stories are.

• Urban Legend: It is believed that the spirits of those who died in the river or have a revengeful spirit residing in the river water pull the visitors in.
• Incidents: Suicide and lethal accidents have taken place in the river water, and dead bodies have never been recovered. Hearing crying sounds and the feeling of being watched are also common phenomena that visitors experience.

10. The Karkardooma Delhi Court

The paranormal activities in the Karkardooma Delhi Court are the most unusual and evident among all the haunted places in Delhi. The occurrence of supernatural events is relatively high, so much so that it often gets the attention of the media as well as the lawyers and staff working there.

• Urban Legend: Lawyers and staff working in the Karkardooma Delhi Court seem to feel a presence of spirit in the court, usually in the evening when everyone starts to leave.
• Incidents: CCTV footage revealed computers malfunctioning and drawers opening and closing repeatedly on their own during the evening. Strange things were also recorded, like a white figure appearing from the wall.

11. Malcha Mahal

Malcha Mahal, once a hunting lodge in the 14th century, now attracts visitors due to its mysterious history and adrenaline-pumping atmosphere. Until 2017, the palace was the residence of Awadh’s Royal Family descendants.

• Urban Legend: Begum Wilayat Mahal, great-granddaughter of the last Nawab of Awadh, came to Delhi with her two children, fifteen wild dogs, and seven servants. They lived in the Malcha Mahal, which had no doors, electricity, or renovation, and the family lived in isolation. The sudden and consecutive deaths of all the members and their survival without electricity, the source of their food, and their isolation from the outside world are still a mystery.
• Incidents:
  • Princess Wilayat Mahal committed suicide by swallowing a crushed diamond due to depression in 1933.
  • All the dogs and servants died later on, and Princess Sakina also passed away by 2014.
  • In November 2017, Prince Ali Raza was found dead.
  • Visitors often hear the sound of anklets, which is believed to be linked with the princess’s spirit.
  • Tantric worship is said to be prevalent near Malcha Mahal.

12. Chor Minar

Chor Minar is a 13th-century minaret in the Hauz Khas area built under the reign of Alauddin Khilji. It is nearly 700 to 800 years old and has a terrifying and dark history of cruelty that relates to its haunting aspect.

• Urban Legend: Alauddin Khilji killed 8,000 Mongol prisoners, and their heads were hung on towers around Siri in order to stop Mongol people from teaming up in Mongolpuri. The thieves' heads were hung on spikes sticking out through the many holes in the minaret’s walls. Locals recall the minaret as the “Tower of Beheading.”
• Incidents: People who pass by the minaret at midnight often hear a crying sound, which is believed to be the spirits of the thieves hanged on Chor Minar.

13. Mutiny House

Mutiny House, alternatively called the Mutiny Memorial, was built in honour of those who fought in the Delhi Field Force during the Indian Revolt of 1857. The walls of the memorial have witnessed extreme violence and catastrophe in the past, echoing with their haunted stories today.

• Urban Legend: The locals believe that the corridors of the Mutiny House resonate with the pain and brutality it has witnessed.
• Incidents: Visitors often come across negative feelings and energies whenever they pass by the Mutiny House. Moreover, some people have reported that they noticed the movement of the body parts of the deceased officials during late evenings.

14. The Ridge

The Ridge has withstood the passage of time, witnessing numerous wars, including the Siege of Delhi and the Battle of Badli-ki-Serai. The visitors’ experience regarding the Ridge is extremely horrifying, and en route back to the Colonial period.

• Urban Legend: Visitors have seen the spirit of the British gentleman walking around the Ridge, carrying an old-school rifle that seems to suggest he is patrolling the area.
• Incidents:
  • Locals and visitors experience a fluctuation in their phone’s network or a strange smell.
  • They also reported feeling like someone was watching them, and a sudden chill in the air.

15. House Number W-3

House Number W-3 situated in the Greater Kailash is a popular residence for Delhites, primarily as a haunted place due to its mysterious and horrifying incident history. It remained abandoned for over 25 years solely due to its paranormal activities.

• Urban Legend: In 1986, an old couple, Yadu Krishnan Kaul and Madhu Kaul, and a close pundit to the couple were killed. The murdered bodies of the couple were found inside the water tank of their property. The police found the murder to be a case of theft and arrested the accused. However, since then, the nearby residents and locals have claimed to witness paranormal activities.
• Incidents:
  • Locals are able to hear screams and squabbles, especially during the nighttime.
  • They also reported observing the deceased persons' presence, big shadows, and phantom-like figures.

Frequently Asked Questions About Delhi’s Most Haunted Sites

Q1. Is it safe to travel with kids?

Ans. You should not take your kids when visiting haunted places because they are more likely to disobey the rules and precautions due to their extreme inquisitiveness. Moreover, encountering such places during the growing-up can negatively affect the children.

Q2. Which would be the best transportation medium?

Ans. Avoid booking public transport because they do not have close and around-the-clock access to the haunted sites. You must prefer to use your personal vehicles, which must be suitable for the place you are visiting.

Q3. What precautions must I take?

Ans. If you are travelling with older people, you must carry the necessary medicines. Ensure you have advanced and uninterrupted contact tools to communicate in case of emergencies. Avoid visiting the haunted sites alone, and prefer group travel.

Q4. What is the ideal time to visit the listed places?

Ans. It is advised to visit the haunted places mentioned in the article at night (evening or midnight) in order to ensure you get the most authentic and unforgettable experience.

Q5. Can I carry a camera or recorder?

Ans. Yes, you can carry your camera, recorder, and other electronic devices and types of equipment in order to capture your experience and share it with others. It is suggested that you go through the guidelines of the respective site for precise information.

Q6. Are there any age restrictions?

Ans. No, most of the haunted places listed in the article do not have age restrictions. So, individuals of all age groups can visit them. However, it is advised that kids be kept away from such places.