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Punjab is a state that is renowned mainly for the Golden Temple, various historical forts and the rich history of India’s freedom struggle. However, beyond the rich culture and heritage, there are numerous haunted places in Punjab, which have left locals and visitors terrified. The majority of the people who have either heard about the haunted places or encountered them in real-time report feelings of discomfort and spine-chilling fear. If you are planning an unexpected travel itinerary for your Punjab tour, adding these haunted places would be the ultimate experience.
10 Haunted Places In Punjab
Be it ancient forts or abandoned mansions, the state offers a unique exploration into the world of the supernatural for brave-hearted travellers.
1. Malerkotla Fort
Photo: Trougnouf (Benoit Brummer) / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
To start, we have Malerkotla Fort, which is located in Sangrur. The fort’s origins date back to the 16th century when it was constructed by the Nawabs of Malerkotla. Over the years, the fort had experienced several battles, losses and destruction. The historians and local legends depict that the fort is haunted by the soldiers who lost their lives during the rigorous battle. Not just that, during British rule, the majority of the freedom fighters in India were executed inside the fort, further adding to the reason behind its spooky experiences. Some even report experiencing the doors suddenly opening and closing inside the fort.
Location: Qila Rehmatgarh, Malerkotla, Punjab 148023
2. Shani Mandir
Photo: Amitabha Gupta / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
When talking about the most haunted place in Punjab, is reportedly the Shani Mandir in Ludhiana. It is said that the temple is haunted by the spirit of a woman who reportedly burned to death inside the temple. Locals depict that the woman who died was an ardent follower of Lord Shani and visited the temple every day. On a dreadful day, a fire broke out inside the temple out of nowhere killing her. Since then, most of the devotees who visit the temple report hearing eerie noises inside the temple. They also say that they witness apparitions at night. There are local beliefs that suggest that the woman’s spirit is still trapped inside the temple.
Location: Gurudwara Rd, J Block, A-Block, Power Colony, Sarabha Nagar, Ludhiana, Punjab 141001
3. Kali Mata Mandir
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Another temple in Punjab, which is reportedly haunted is the Kali Mata Mandir, located in Patiala. There are tales that an unexpected accident occurred inside the temple, claiming the lives of many. It is said that the temple is reportedly haunted by the spirits of those who died. The story of the deaths goes back to the 20th century when thousands of devotees flocked around to visit the temple. With the overwhelming crowd, a stampede broke out inside the temple, leading to the death of many. Many of these people who were trampled to death are the ones whose spirits reportedly linger around the temple. Most of the locals report unusual sightings and a very uncomfortable experience at night.
Location: Manjit Nagar, Sidhu Colony, Patiala, Punjab 147001
4. Sukhna Lake
Photo: Michael Schlierf / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
The beauty of the Sukhna Lake is unmatched during the daytime. Thousands of tourists visit the lake during the daytime for boating. However, the beauty of this lake soon turns eerie at night. It is believed that the lake is haunted by the spirit of a woman who drowned there many years ago. Visitors have reported seeing her apparition walking along the lake, and some claim to have heard her sobbing late at night. The ghostly presence is often associated with the tragic tale of unrequited love, where a bride drowned. This is one of the reasons why people are advised to never travel to Sukhna Lake at night.
Location: Sector 1, Chandigarh 160001
5. Aam Khas Bagh
Photo: Kanu Bhardwaj / Wikimedia Commons
Sirhind is a very less explored destination in Punjab. However, if you want to experience paranormal instances in Punjab, the Aam Khas Bagh in Sirhind is one of the best places to visit. It is a historical garden complex, which has witnessed battles and a devastating past. It is said that inside the garden, there are trapped spirits of the soldiers who lost their lives during numerous battles that took place there. It was after the fall of the Mughal Empire that the garden experienced a lot of bloody battles, which eventually led to the garden being haunted. One story suggests that there is a spirit of a girl, the daughter of a Mughal nobleman who died in the garden.
Location: Aam Khas Bagh Rd, Preet Nagar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab 140407
6. Doraha Fort
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Often known as the “Rang de Basanti” fort, Doraha Fort is another haunted destination to explore when in Punjab. Once a significant military garrison, the fort now lies in ruins and is believed to be haunted by the spirits of soldiers who died during battles fought here. The majority of the people who have experienced paranormal experiences in real-time inside the fort report hearing the sounds of marching, clashing swords, and even gunfire in the dead of night. While many people have visited the fort, hoping to experience the eerie apparitions, most of them have returned halfway through because that’s how spine-chilling the environment becomes at night.
Location: Doraha, Punjab
7. PGI
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One of the leading medical educational and research institutes in the country, PGI in Chandigarh is one of the most haunted spots to visit and explore. Numerous legends depict that a part of PGI is haunted. While no concrete evidence isn’t available, people report that several illegal abortions were conducted in the hospital and the foetuses were kept in a jar. Not just that, many patients who died of unnatural causes also haunt this place. The staff and even the people visiting the hospital have reported experiencing unnatural things around them, especially at night.
Location: Madhya Marg, Sector 12, Chandigarh, 160012
8. Sector 39 House
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If you are researching haunted destinations in Punjab, Sector 39 is a spot that often comes up. The tale of the “Haunting Sati” has left a lot of the locals and the tourists with goosebumps. It is believed that in Sector 39, there is a temple-like house, which is closed off now. Inside this place, decades in the past, a woman was forced to perform Sati upon her husband’s death. Since she had to jump into the burning pyre of her husband unwantedly, her spirit haunts the area. It is said that when you are crossing the temple, you should not bow down in front of it because that leads to you being haunted by the woman.
Location: Sector 39, Chandigarh
9. Savitri Bai Phule Hostel
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Another haunted place in Punjab is in its capital city, Chandigarh. Normal students do reside in the hostel but there are reports of numerous sinister activities taking place inside the hostel too. According to reports, there have been unnatural deaths in the hostel, which is one of the reasons why it is claimed to be haunted. Most of the students living in the hostel report that they experience headless spirits around the hostel’s corridors at night. The staff living in the hostel also depict that they hear unusual noises deep into the night. Beyond sightings, there is a heavy feeling and uneasiness that prevails in the hostel at night.
Location: Panjab University, Sector 14, Chandigarh, 160014
10. Sector 16
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The last but not the least is Sector 16 in Chandigarh. It is primarily on the bridge that you encounter on the way to the General Hospital from Sector 16. People report noticing a girl in white clothing on the bridge. Legends and locals report that the spirit could be of a girl who was killed on the same bridge due to a fateful accident. She was reportedly a doctor and died on the spot after the accident. Since then, her spirit lingers on the bridge. Beyond the sightings and apparitions, there are reports of people hearing noises from the bridge at night.
Location: Sector 16, Chandigarh
On your next vacation, you can spend a few days exploring the different haunted places in Punjab, seeing if you get to experience any paranormal activity in real-time. So, if you are interested in unfolding details of the eerie past associated with Punjab, visiting these haunted places is an absolute must. Book your next trip with TripXL for the ultimate travel experience.
Cover Photo: micheile henderson / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
