Top 15 Haunted Places to Visit in Delhi

Jun 09, 2025

The capital city of India, Delhi, is a place that never sleeps, known for its thriving streets, bustling markets, and chaotic traffic. However, beyond its liveliness, Delhi hides dark legends and untold stories waiting to be discovered. As the modern Delhi we know has seen the rise and fall of numerous empires, several lingering stories of betrayals and forgotten battles remain in the shadows. These stories often revolve around the sites and spaces we roam, unaware that invisible entities might be watching us from the corners, eager to tell their stories. For those interested in history and dark tourism, the city offers a different, shady realm beneath a luminous blanket. Move through the article as we peel back the cover and reveal the most haunted places in Delhi.

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, also known as Lal Darwaza, is one of the thirteen surviving gateways of Delhi, built in the 16th century during the reign of Sher Shah Suri. It is located conspicuously amid the modern traffic on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg near Delhi Gate. The horror reputation it has earned has been due to gruesome assassinations and royal betrayals, which have left an unforgettable mark on it.

The Urban Legend: The legend is linked to a historical event that occurred during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, when a British officer, Major William Hodson, executed three captive Mughal princes, Mirza Mughal, Mirza Khizr Sultan, and Mirza Abu Bakht at this very spot. Thus, restless souls still linger around the gate.
Reported Phenomena: Travelers exploring the structure report overwhelming feelings of dread, sudden drops in temperature, and muffled, disembodied whispers echoing through the stone gateway.

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 tour the fortress for its dark, 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 fortress's haunted aura with the spirits of individuals who were imprisoned by Feroz Shah Tughlaq through 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, including encountering shadowy figures, experiencing inexplicable cold spots, being touched or pushed by an invisible force, and hearing 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: Echoes of a woman's cry through the corridors, a sudden drop in temperature, and many other paranormal activities are reported by visitors.

6. Nicholson Cemetery (Lothian Road)

Established in the mid-19th century, the cemetery serves as the final resting place for various British soldiers, officers, and civilians from the colonial period. The cemetery has many grand tombstones decaying over centuries, heavy iron crosses, and trees that create a setting you will only see in a horror movie. What makes it even scarier are the stories and sightings related to this location, which are discussed later.

The Urban Legend: The cemetery is named after Brigadier-General John Nicholson, a towering British Military figure who died from wounds sustained during the 1857 uprising.
Reported Phenomena: The most prominent legend here is that of a headless soldier, which is believed to be Nicholson, due to his violent end, who is seen wandering among the graves.

7. Sanjay Van

Sanjay Van is a sprawling forest area situated in Delhi near Vasant Kunj and Mehrauli. Numerous visitors have reported paranormal activity, making the forest’s dark, secluded atmosphere even 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 River

Flowing inconspicuously through the busy, densely populated residential area in Rohini, Northwest Delhi, Khooni Nadi is a canal linked to a dark tale. This drainage canal is narrow and shallow, and has an ordinary appearance. However, beyond its ordinary appeal, it has a dark, murky legend that has piqued the interest of many youngsters.

The Urban Legend: The water is shallow and far from a roaring river; locals say a mysterious supernatural force pulls unsuspecting people into its depths.
Reported Phenomenon: While the canal has a dark reputation largely fused with exaggerated internet lore, occasional accidents and tragic suicides in the area keep the grim urban legend alive among the locals.

10. The Karkardooma Delhi Court

The paranormal activity at the Karkardooma Delhi Court is 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 that computers were malfunctioning and drawers were 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

Hidden deep in the acacia forests of Chanakyapuri Ridge, Malcha Mahal is a 14th-century Tughlaq-era stone hunting lodge. It has a devastating, tragic history of its 20th-century royal residents, and was later occupied by the Indian Government in 1985. However, the structure has been in decades of solitude, creating a scary reputation for it as it sits among the dark woods.

The Urban Legend: Allotted the ruined structure by the government, after a lengthy protest, Begum Wilayat Mahal moved in with her children, Prince Ali Raza and Princess Sakina. Living in total isolation without electricity, running water, or doors, the extreme loneliness and despair eventually tore the family apart.
Reported Phenomena: Begum Wilayat Mahal killed herself in this place in October 1993. Her children continued to live in seclusion until Princess Sakina passed away, followed by the Prince, who was found dead in September 2017. Locals avoid coming here because of unidentifiable whispers and a strange sorrow in the air.

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, dark history of cruelty that contributes 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 encounter negative feelings and energies when 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 a British gentleman walking around the Ridge, carrying an old-school rifle, suggesting 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 as if someone was watching them and a sudden chill in the air.

15. House Number W-3

House Number W-3, situated in Greater Kailash, is a popular residence among Delhiites, primarily because of its haunted reputation due to its history of mysterious and horrifying incidents. It remained abandoned for over 25 years solely because of its paranormal activity.

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, nearby residents and locals have claimed to have witnessed paranormal activity.
Incidents:
- Locals can hear screams and squabbles, especially at night.
- They also reported observing the presence of the deceased, large shadows, and phantom-like figures.