Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Varanasi, the cultural and spiritual centre of India, is famous for its ancient temples, sacred ghats and the Ganga river. But apart from this religious city, there is a more sinister aspect to it as well, with many haunted places in Varanasi that spark the imagination and leave the visitors uncomfortable. These places though have a rich history, and a multitude of legends and owe an unexplainable mystery to being inhabited by ghosts and supernatural happenings. For those adventurous yet curious to wander off to the gloomy parts of Varanasi, these haunted places serve as a delightful contrast.
Top 8 Haunted Places In Varanasi
Here are the top 10 haunted places in Varanasi that will give you a peek into the ancient city’s slightly darker that remains hidden from most tourists.
1. Shanivariya Kothi
Photo: Mike van Schoonderwalt / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
In Varanasi, one can find the Shanivari Kothi which is an old and neglected house with a very interesting and terrifying history. It has been said by the people of this place that this house was haunted for many years. Tales associated with this Kothi often mention jarring noises such as footsteps, soft voices, and doors slamming shut without reason. Some believe that a ghost of a resident who lived there ages ago haunts the very building in order to avenge herself from her killers.
Location: Varanasi outskirts
2. Assi Ghat
Assi Ghat, although a place of worship for the pilgrims, is said to be a cursed area too. As the legend goes, in the silence of the night, activities involving the Ghat become bizarre, unnerving and distressing. On the riverbank, particularly during the early hours, several people have claimed to have noticed apparitions of a ghost. Other visitors have reported viewing a shapeless figure in white, a drowned woman’s ghost from the river Ganga. Adding to the already creepy scene is a sudden change in weather and quietness at certain times.
Location: Assi Ghat, Varanasi
3. Bhooteshwar Nath Temple
Photo: Rahul / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Bhooteshwar Nath Temple is a temple that is a temple associated with strange practices and beliefs. Bhooteshwar sea’s temple is an ancient temple devoted to Lord Shiva, located in Varanasi. That is the reason why the local folklore is that the temple is inhabited by spirits who visit to pay respect to Lord Shiva. However, the locals also say that, on certain days, particularly during the month of Shravan, and hours, such dreadful incantations reach the people from the temple without anybody inside.
Location: Varanasi outskirts
4. Chet Singh Ghat
Photo: manish sharma / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
Chet Singh Ghat is a site of historical significance as well as the possession of certain extraordinary features. This ancient Ghat has seen unfathomable bloodshed in the 18th century and many of the people residing there claim that the voices of the people who lost their lives fighting in the battleground can be heard even today. Some of them reported that sudden sword slashing sounds and people screaming in distress could be heard during the deep hours of the night. Others state that they saw shadowy figures close to the steps of the Ghat.
Location: Chet Singh Ghat, Varanasi
5. Ramnagar Fort
Photo: Malikbek / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Ramnagar Fort stands on the banks of the Ganges river opposite to Varanasi is not only an architectural monument, but it is also full of legends. The visitors of the fort have reported some occurrences that include, but are not limited to, the appearance of ghosts and the sensation of being watched. The corridors of the fort, which twist and turn at almost every corner, coupled with the heavy quietness make the fort a rather disturbing place to be in at nighttime.
Location: Ramnagar, Varanasi
6. Narayan Garden
Photo: Mike Bird / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Narayan Garden in Varanasi may seem a calm and relaxing place during the hours of daylight, but the locals do believe that at night it turns into a haunted one. While the visitors were in the garden claimed to have heard unusual whispers and footsteps, and at times, even laughter coming from the vacant rear ends of the garden. Some have even reported that they felt a hand brushing off their clothes in an empty space. Such frightening experiences have earned the garden the status of being one of the underestimated haunted places in Varanasi.
Location: Varanasi
7. Kabir Chaura
Photo: Badre Alam Khan / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Kabir Chaura’s eerie hallways supplement Varanasi’s devotional aspect in an edgy way. Kabir Chauara which is believed to be the residence of saint kabir for a greater part of his life, kabir is a haunted Chaura. This is true even though a large number of people consider these to be places of worship. Most people who visit these temples to worship report strange occurrences and dolls, especially near the main shrine. Some claim to perceive cool breezes or hear muted sounds while moving about that space during the night. A few have even reported viewing silhouettes through the branches of trees.
Location: Kabir Chaura, Varanasi
8. Manikarnika Ghat
Photo: Kaustubh Sen / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
One of the oldest sacred ghats in Varanasi, where people go for cremation, is the Manikarnika Ghat. However, it is also said that the spirits of the people who could not be properly sent off haunt this ghat. It is believed by the local residents that the Ghat certainly harbors agitated spirits, especially at night. Many people visiting the Ghat during odd hours have sensed strange feelings such as a sudden drop in temperature or even seen ghosts. The haunted and the divine because of its many spiritual associations, Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi is both sacred and mysterious.
Location: Manikarnika Ghat, Varanasi
Major Attractions: Restless spirits and eerie atmosphere
How To Reach: Easily accessible by boat or rickshaw from the city center
Haunted places in Varanasi like Shanivariya Kothi, Assi Ghat, and Manikarnika Ghat located in Varanasi are famous not only among the spiritually inclined people but also among those fond of paranormal activities for the stories of ghosts and happenings associated with them. Plan a trip with Trip XL and get ready to travel into the depths of the mystery!
Cover Photo: Joe Kritz / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
