Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Haunted places in Karnataka are more than folk tales; they lead tourists to the territories of mythology, history, and mystery. From abandoned forts and eerie churches to barren cemeteries and haunted forests, each haunted site is the doorway to Karnataka’s past and ghostly tales. Along the way, it is possible to unravel stories of furious spectres, paranormal events, and forgotten rites, over scenery alive with architectural wonders and vistas of natural splendour. For the ghost hunter willing to search out the spirits or the scholar exploring the darker history of the past, such locations must be visited once.
Top 10 Haunted Places In Karnataka
These top ten haunted places in Karnataka blend myth and history, offering eerie experiences perfect for thrill-seekers, ghost hunters, and lovers of the supernatural.
1. Bengaluru International Airport
Photo: Ank Kumar / Wikimedia Commons
Bengaluru International Airport, 40 km from the city centre, is not only a den of planes flying around in the daytime, but also among the most frightening spots in Karnataka. The airport itself is vibrant and new by day, but graveyard-shift employees have some bizarre accounts of things colliding in the shadows. Numerous crew members have supposedly seen a white-clad woman materialise on cargo decks and maintenance wings. Some others say they hear footsteps echoing in vacant terminals even when there is no human presence and escalators decelerating or reversing for no apparent reason. The travellers occasionally experience a presence, most notably in deserted lounges or cargo loading bays.
Main Attractions: Spooky hotspots within and around the cargo section, escalators, and abandoned terminals.
How To Reach: Drive down on NH44 from the heart of Bengaluru city or take a taxi.
Suggested Read: Top Places To Visit In Karnataka For A Soulful Holiday
2. Victoria Hospital
Photo: Adham Ragab / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Victoria Hospital, Bengaluru’s oldest, has a fame that extends beyond medicine; it is one of the state’s most haunted places. Erected in British times, the colonial-era building and long, endless corridors add an irresistibly spooky ambience. Patients and staff have credited inexplicable cold spots in the wards, inexplicable noises of sudden movement, and ghostly sightings walking silently along corridors. They describe seeing patient or nurse ghostly figures which seem to vanish upon being stretched out. The decades of operation, mortality, and medical emergencies in the hospital have been considered to invoke residual imprints of the spirit. While the hospital has a clinical function, it is shunned by everybody who ventures in after nightfall.
Main Attractions: Ghost wards, eerie noises, and cold spots all over the hospital.
How To Reach: Extremely easy to reach from the city centre by auto-rickshaw or taxi.
3. Kalpalli Cemetery
Photo: Yaopey Yong / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Kalpalli Cemetery, also referred to as St. John’s Cemetery, is Bengaluru’s peaceful, still cemetery that is one of Karnataka’s most haunted destinations. More than a century old, the ancient cemetery comprises lines of moss-covered headstones and Gothic mausoleums covered by trees. Individuals have often been left with inexplicable cold chills, whispers in otherwise empty space, and black silhouettes that dance for no reason. Paranormal aficionados believe that spirits of the majority of deceased individuals haunt here at night in secret due to open business or leftover connections. Others in the community report they have recorded short orbs and shadowy figures on video during night vigils on rare occasions.
Main Attractions: Church ruins, decaying arches, and ghost apparitions sighted.
How To Reach: Take the Old Madras Road to Whitefield and discover directions to St. John’s Cemetery.
Suggested Read: Karnataka Travel Guide
4. Shettihalli Rosary Church
Photo: Gaurishukla24 / Wikimedia Commons
Shettihalli Rosary Church, about 180 km from Bengaluru, is a hauntingly beautiful Gothic ruin known for its eerie atmosphere and paranormal tales. Built by French missionaries in the 1860s, it was abandoned after the Hemavati Dam submerged the area. Each monsoon, the church rises half-submerged from the waters, creating a ghostly spectacle. Visitors report strange whispers, chilling sensations, and the presence of unseen beings. Locals believe the spirits of priests and devotees still linger. With mist, crumbling stone, and the sound of flowing water, the church draws paranormal seekers and photographers alike, making it Karnataka’s most iconic haunted destination.
Main Attractions: Submerged ruins, gothic structure, and eerie sounds.
How To Reach: By road on NH75 via Hassan district.
5. Terra Vera Mansion
Photo: Sóc Năng Động / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Terra Vera Mansion, at St. Mark’s Road, Bengaluru, is haunted because it was where a murder occurred in its halls, and therefore, it is among the most haunted sites in Karnataka. The rundown mansion, crumbling walls, broken glass, and overgrown vegetation spilling over it, is full of fear. Others speak of a ghostly apparition, reputed to belong to the slain woman, whose shrieks of fear ring out at midnight. Doors open and close without anyone touching them, and icy spots can be sensed trudging down corridors even on sweltering summer evenings. Ghost enthusiasts also visit the area, capturing inexplicable movement and unusual sounds.
Main Attractions: Site where murder was committed, crumbling and deteriorated interiors, and a spooky atmosphere.
How To Reach: Accessible from the outside on St. Mark’s Road; privately owned.
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Karnataka
6. NH4 Highway
Photo: lhthoai / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The NH4 Highway near Tumkur is one of Karnataka’s eeriest roads, known for chilling ghost stories. Late-night drivers often report seeing a woman in a white sari asking for a ride—only to vanish moments later. Truckers have spotted strange shadows, glowing eyes, and headlights that disappear into thin air. With minimal lighting and sparse traffic, the highway’s remote stretch feels sinister after dark. Locals speak of frequent unexplained accidents, often linked to supernatural forces. Paranormal investigators have recorded unusual EMF spikes and sudden temperature drops. By day, it’s routine, but by night, NH4 becomes a terrifying route shrouded in mystery.
Main Attractions: Ghost sightings, lonely pieces of roads, and night driving with a chill.
How To Reach: On NH4 between Bengaluru and Tumkur; can be reached by car.
7. Hoskote Route
Photo: Pinakpani / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Hoskote Road, on the outskirts of Bengaluru, is a known haunted stretch in Karnataka. Trekkers and travellers have reported sightings of an old woman seeking help—only to vanish moments later. At night, the dense tree line and eerie silence amplify spooky encounters like screams, shadowy figures, and ghostly laughter. Paranormal teams have recorded strange EMF spikes and thermal shifts here. Locals avoid this road after dark, citing old tales of fatal apparitions. While safe by day, it turns ominous at night, drawing ghost hunters, photographers, and thrill-seekers eager to explore Karnataka’s paranormal legacy.
Main Attractions: Spine-chilling ghostly apparitions, spine-chilling sounds, and bone-chilling cold areas.
How To Reach: Drive from Bengaluru via Hoskote on the NH75 road.
Suggested Read: Discover The Most Peaceful And Scenic Places To Visit In Karnataka In February This Year
8. Annigeri
Photo: Yaroslav Chaadaev / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Annigeri is graded as one of the largest haunted sites in Karnataka since over 100 human skulls were found in a drain location. Locals in the region think that the skulls are due to the practice of evil ceremonies, and evil spirits have been formed in the location. Visitors have reported experiencing strange sounds, being shown fleeting visions of dark forms, and suffering automatic drops in temperature. Paranormal researchers occasionally visit the site cautiously, documenting evidence of strange events and interviewing local residents regarding the horrific deaths. The rural area is thinly populated, further contributing to the sense of isolation and fear.
Main Attraction: Cemetery, apparitions, and ancient secrets.
How To Reach: Accessible from the Dharwad district through village roads
9. D’Mello House
Photo: Tama66 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
D’Mello House, in Mangaluru, is notorious as one of Karnataka’s most haunted destinations. The destroyed house, following a haunting murder, is haunted by the spectre of the murdered man, claim locals. The residents of the place and the tourists, too, claim to have heard screams, heavy footsteps, and light flashes inside the house. The doors and windows open and shut on their own without the intervention of wind or human touch. Those who have visited the house report that equipment is malfunctioning inside the house, and some rooms are cool under enigmatic circumstances.
Main Attractions: Site of murder, ghostly experiences, and spooky atmosphere.
How To Reach: Situated in Mangaluru, it is ideally visited with local guidance.
Suggested Read: Best Places To Visit In Karnataka In September
10. Chitradurga Fort
Photo: Ramjaiswal75 / Wikimedia Commons
Chitradurga Fort is a marvel of yesteryears and the most haunted location in Karnataka. Interpreted over rocky hills, the fort did bear some historical relevance with the myth of Hidimbasura, a demon, who was slain by Bhima of the Pandavas. Locals believe Hidimbasura’s spirit still drifts through the fort at night, and many visitors talk of strange sounds, shifting shadows, and sudden chills that make the ruins feel unsettling. The towering stone walls, deserted watchtowers, and narrow passages add to the atmosphere, and ghost hunters often describe seeing shapes in the darkness or hearing noises with no clear source.
Main Attractions: Ancient fort, ghost encounter, and tales of Hidimbasura.
How To Reach: Drive on NH48 from Bengaluru to Chitradurga; tour operators on rent.
The haunted places in Karnataka go beyond ordinary sightseeing—they’re steeped in myth, eerie tales, and local legends. From deserted forts to mysterious forests, each site offers ghost seekers and curious travellers a brush with the unknown. Listen to chilling stories, explore abandoned ruins, or experience unexplained events. Perfect for thrill-seekers and history lovers alike, these haunted spots promise a spine-tingling journey into Karnataka’s darker, mysterious side with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Bikashrd / Wikimedia Commons
