When people think of Kashmir, they think of stunning meadows, breathtaking landscapes and the never-ending beauty of the snow-capped peaks. However, there’s a paranormal side to Kashmir that you might not be aware of. Unless you are intrigued by these, you do want to avoid visiting the haunted places in Kashmir. However, if you are someone who enjoys exploring these spots that leave you with chills and an eerie feeling, there are places across Kashmir shrouded in tales of restless spirits and paranormal activity that you can experience firsthand.
Top 10 Haunted Places In Kashmir
If you are a curious traveller, interested in exploring the paranormal activities around the region, there are several haunted places in Kashmir.
1. Khooni Nala
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Located on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway, Khooni Nala is infamous for its eerie tales and tragic history. The name of this haunted place translates to ‘Bloody Stream’, and the stories behind it explain why. Local folklore and stories depict that the spirit of a bride who died in a road accident resides in the place, contributing to the series of accidents that take place here. Many drivers have reported that the supposed bride appears in front of the car out of nowhere, causing the accidents.
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2. The Udhampur Army Quarters
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One of the most haunted places in Kashmir is the Udhampur Army Quarters. It is located in Srinagar, and reports suggest that the place is haunted by several restless souls. There are reports of apparitions, which usually occur between 01:00 AM to 03:00 AM, leaving people with chills. Also, people have reported seeing several souls fleeting through the corridors of the quarters during the night. Also, there is reportedly visibility of spectral lights during these apparitions, adding to the scary haunted experience.
Location: Leray, Udhampur, Jammu and Kashmir 182101
3. Gawkadal Bridge
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Another bridge in Kashmir that’s haunted is the Gawkadal Bridge. It witnessed the brutal massacre that led to the death of several people on the bridge around two decades ago. During that incident, CRPF officials started firing on the people who were protesting for their rights. Despite how things were handled back then, the implications of the brutal event haunt people to this day. The Gawkadal Bridge is haunted and locals report they can hear the screams and cries of people during the night.
Location: Mandir Bagh, Srinagar 190001
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4. Pari Mahal
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Beyond the beautiful architecture of the Pari Mahal lies tales of the otherworldly experiences that many tourists and locals have reportedly highlighted. The Palace of Fairies is an ancient Mughal Garden that overlooks the stunning Dal Lake. The terraced architecture of the palace houses a lot of ghostly tales. There are sightings of ghosts during the night, moving through the pavilions. Legend has it that the site was built over an ancient Buddhist monastery and is haunted by the spirits of monks who once lived there.
Location: Near Pari Mahal Parking, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190001
5. Gurez Valley
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Who would have thought that a tree would be haunted, right? There is a lone willow tree on the way to Gurez Valley, which is reportedly haunted. Despite looking simple and ordinary, there are reports that the tree is haunted and has various stories associated with it. The majority of the stories of this haunted willow tree on Gurez Road depict that locals can hear mournful cries coming from the tree. According to legends, if you touch the tree on a New Moon Day, the evil spirits will end up causing bad things in your life.
Location: Gurez Road, Jammu and Kashmir 193503
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6. The Twin Villages Of Kunan And Poshpora
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More commonly known as the ‘Haunting of the Twin Villages’, Kunan and Poshpora are the two villages that even the locals tremble to speak about. It happens to be one of the real haunted spots in Kashmir where past search operations by the Indian Army forces led to a lot of tragedies. During these search operations, the women of the villages were sexually assaulted by the soldiers and a few of them died during those search operations too. At present, the villages are reportedly haunted by the women who experienced those brutal incidents.
7. Ghost Of Abdullah Jinn
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Although the exact location of this house is difficult to pinpoint, it is reportedly between Srinagar and Gurez Valley. If you want to visit, the locals can guide you to the exact location. According to the legends, inside this particular house resides a Jinn. People have reportedly not been able to even step foot inside the house. The locals report that even if you manage to enter the house, the Jinn will throw your shoes away outside the house within a minute or two. Also, if you take the risk to enter, there are reports that people often suffer from severe sickness later in life.
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8. The Haunted Church Of Gulmarg
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Located in the heart of Gulmarg, the haunted church is another one of the haunted spots that you can visit on your next trip. Some reports depict that the British soldiers who died during the Indo-Pak war have their spirits lingering in this church. From sudden movements and dropping off items to hearing voices, several eerie activities are reported around this church. During the night, the locals even report seeing the soldiers in their uniforms roaming the church premises. This explains why people avoid visiting this place during the night.
9. Bijbehara Massacre Site
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Another harrowing historical event casts a pall over a specific location in Kashmir. The site of the Bijbehara Massacre, where innocent lives were lost, is said to be haunted by the restless spirits of the victims. Unless you have a very strong heart and don’t want to be haunted by evil spirits, you can visit to explore this particular site. Most of the people who have either visited the site or live nearby report that during the night, the surroundings become very unsettling and strange events occur. There are apparitions too, which add to the chilling experience.
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10. The Haunted Mosque
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Kashmir’s sanctity is challenged by the legend of a deserted mosque. Abandoned for unknown reasons, the mosque is said to be a breeding ground for evil spirits. The worst part of this haunted story is that no one knows much about the location of the particular mosque. There are a lot of unrecorded stories regarding the ghost sightings in the mosque. Legends claim that the mosque is cursed and houses a lot of evil spirits, who haunt it. People who have managed to track down the location of this haunted mosque report feeling chills and a foreboding feeling when they step foot in the mosque.
There are several haunted places in Kashmir, most of which are unrecorded and not talked about at length on the internet. If you are intrigued by paranormal activities and like to investigate them, interact with the locals to get traces and leads for more places around the region. To book your next vacation to Kashmir, use TripXL for all the bookings and the best deals.
Cover Photo: Madhumita Das / Wikimedia Commons