By: Arjun Pandey, founder, Delhipedia
Delhi, the capital city of India, has more than 1300 monuments. Some of them have deep dark secrets. It is also widely believed that many of them are haunted, harbouring in their shadowy recesses djinns, ghosts, spirits and more. So hold your nerve as we at Delhipedia take you on a tour of the most ghostly corners of the city in our first episode of "Haunted Places in Delhi".
Feroz Shah Kotla Fort
![feroz shah kotla fort]()
Situated in the heart of the city behind ITO Press Lane and just next to Kotla Cricket Stadium, our first stop is Feroz Shah Kotla Fort. As you near the structure -- once the headquarters of a dynasty which ruled over north India -- the buzz of the city seems to fade into an eerie silence. Built in 1354 by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, it is said to have djinns residing amid its ruins and dark alleys.
Every Thursday, locals can be seen lighting candles and incense sticks in select dark spots, offering bowls of milk and grain to appease the djinns and hoping for their wishes to come true. At times, you can also see mentally disturbed people coming here to find solace. Unlike ghosts, djinns are supposed to be shapeless beings who can marry and also bear children. Distinct from us humans, they are formless and can 'live' for many centuries. But like humans and ghosts -- and unlike angels-- they can be bad and moody. Legend has it that when Iblis, a djinn, refused to bow before Adam, Allah cast him out as the devil. The bad djinns prey on young women, especially if said young women are left unguarded or drying their hair on the roof!
Jamali-Kamali Masjid
Notable Sufi saints Jamali and Kamali were buried here in 1535. Today it is believed that this tranquil masjid is haunted by djinns, and many claim to have experienced paranormal activities here. In addition to hearing screaming voices coming out of the graves, on many occasions visitors have complained of being slapped by 'invisible hands' or being chased away by 'mysterious wind'. It is advised not to venture here after sunset, although the screams can apparently be heard even in broad daylight.
According to legend, djinns live in a parallel world to that of humans. It is believed that God created humans out of sand and djinns out of fire. Some djinns are known to be good and others bad. While humans can't see them, djinns have the power to cross-over between both worlds. Sometimes, djinns step into the human world and decide to stay permanently in abandoned places. This, it is said, is what happened in Jamali Kamali. For so long was the site abandoned that djinns decided it was a safe place to set up house. When annoyed by uninvited human guests, they are not averse to delivering the odd slap.
Agrasen ki Baoli
![agrasen ki baoli]()
Built by Maharaja Agrasen during in the mid-14th century, this monument is a 60m-long and 15m-wide classic step-well (baoli). It has 130 steps made of red stone that lead to a water reservoir. The well, though it has now dried out, is said to exert a mesmeric effect that compelled many people to jump to their death. Many swear that the intensity of 'unnatural vibrations' increases around you as you go further down near the reservoir. It is also referred to as the 'Baoli of the Unseen'.
Presently, the rooms considered dangerous are secured with gates. When the baoli was filled, it contained filthy black water, which fascinated mostly dejected and depressed admirers. The murky, mystic waters apparently exerted a hypnotic pull, compelling those fatally attracted to its dark depths to jump.
Khooni Nadi
Khooni Nadi (Bloody River) in Rohini is believed to be haunted. It is said that the river tries to pull inside whoever enters and many have died. The lives lost here have often been assumed to be suicides but the cases are still mysterious. If you're 'lucky' you may hear crying noises and other spooky sounds near the river.
This is just the start, we will feature more places in our upcoming episodes. Stay tuned. And if you know of haunted places in Delhi which are little known, do tell us at Delhipedia (e-mail: queries.delhipedia@gmail.com) and we will come and investigate these places along with you.
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Delhi, the capital city of India, has more than 1300 monuments. Some of them have deep dark secrets. It is also widely believed that many of them are haunted, harbouring in their shadowy recesses djinns, ghosts, spirits and more. So hold your nerve as we at Delhipedia take you on a tour of the most ghostly corners of the city in our first episode of "Haunted Places in Delhi".
Feroz Shah Kotla Fort
Situated in the heart of the city behind ITO Press Lane and just next to Kotla Cricket Stadium, our first stop is Feroz Shah Kotla Fort. As you near the structure -- once the headquarters of a dynasty which ruled over north India -- the buzz of the city seems to fade into an eerie silence. Built in 1354 by Feroz Shah Tughlaq, it is said to have djinns residing amid its ruins and dark alleys.
Feroz Shah Kotla is said to have djinns residing amid its ruins and dark alleys.
Every Thursday, locals can be seen lighting candles and incense sticks in select dark spots, offering bowls of milk and grain to appease the djinns and hoping for their wishes to come true. At times, you can also see mentally disturbed people coming here to find solace. Unlike ghosts, djinns are supposed to be shapeless beings who can marry and also bear children. Distinct from us humans, they are formless and can 'live' for many centuries. But like humans and ghosts -- and unlike angels-- they can be bad and moody. Legend has it that when Iblis, a djinn, refused to bow before Adam, Allah cast him out as the devil. The bad djinns prey on young women, especially if said young women are left unguarded or drying their hair on the roof!
Jamali-Kamali Masjid
Notable Sufi saints Jamali and Kamali were buried here in 1535. Today it is believed that this tranquil masjid is haunted by djinns, and many claim to have experienced paranormal activities here. In addition to hearing screaming voices coming out of the graves, on many occasions visitors have complained of being slapped by 'invisible hands' or being chased away by 'mysterious wind'. It is advised not to venture here after sunset, although the screams can apparently be heard even in broad daylight.
When annoyed by uninvited human guests, the djinns at Jamali-Kamali Masjid are not averse to delivering the odd slap.
According to legend, djinns live in a parallel world to that of humans. It is believed that God created humans out of sand and djinns out of fire. Some djinns are known to be good and others bad. While humans can't see them, djinns have the power to cross-over between both worlds. Sometimes, djinns step into the human world and decide to stay permanently in abandoned places. This, it is said, is what happened in Jamali Kamali. For so long was the site abandoned that djinns decided it was a safe place to set up house. When annoyed by uninvited human guests, they are not averse to delivering the odd slap.
Agrasen ki Baoli
Built by Maharaja Agrasen during in the mid-14th century, this monument is a 60m-long and 15m-wide classic step-well (baoli). It has 130 steps made of red stone that lead to a water reservoir. The well, though it has now dried out, is said to exert a mesmeric effect that compelled many people to jump to their death. Many swear that the intensity of 'unnatural vibrations' increases around you as you go further down near the reservoir. It is also referred to as the 'Baoli of the Unseen'.
The murky, mystic waters of Agrasen ki Baoli apparently exerted a hypnotic pull, compelling those fatally attracted to its dark depths to jump.
Presently, the rooms considered dangerous are secured with gates. When the baoli was filled, it contained filthy black water, which fascinated mostly dejected and depressed admirers. The murky, mystic waters apparently exerted a hypnotic pull, compelling those fatally attracted to its dark depths to jump.
Khooni Nadi
Khooni Nadi (Bloody River) in Rohini is believed to be haunted. It is said that the river tries to pull inside whoever enters and many have died. The lives lost here have often been assumed to be suicides but the cases are still mysterious. If you're 'lucky' you may hear crying noises and other spooky sounds near the river.
If you're 'lucky' you may hear crying noises and other spooky sounds near Khooni Nadi.
This is just the start, we will feature more places in our upcoming episodes. Stay tuned. And if you know of haunted places in Delhi which are little known, do tell us at Delhipedia (e-mail: queries.delhipedia@gmail.com) and we will come and investigate these places along with you.
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