Visiting Kuldhara- The Ghost Village Of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan (2024)
Are you that brave kind of traveller who loves to explore the unexplored? If yes, then probably you would definitely be the first one out of the group to go to a haunted house or for a ghostly experience. For you ghost stories with their old forts, castle ruins, deserted alleys, abandoned spirits, sinister houses and mysterious vibes, would have a different kind of attractive charm that would leave your daring quotient pumping high to enter in some new adventure. The usual sightseeing and relaxing activities are not just meant for you. If you have been planning a new getaway but have not found that perfect place, then don’t stress too much because we have already done most of the hard job for you.
Located at a distance of about 17 km from the city of Jaisalmer lies a town called Kuldhara which will prove to be the ideal vacation destination for all those travellers who are undeterred by haunted stuff. At the present time, Kuldhara village is a heritage site that is maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). If you are wondering what exactly is the catch here that makes it different from other places, then please be a little patient. We will reveal the suspense soon.
Kuldhara- The Haunted Village Of Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
Though once a prosperous village but at the moment, it lies in complete ruins and all that is left to see here are a plenty of open houses in the state of total despair. As you enter the premises of this ancient village, you will actually be able to feel as if the time has stopped moving for the place since a period of 200 years. Well – known throughout the country as one of the most haunted villages of India, the deserted, narrow and mysterious streets of Kuldhara boast of housing the source of several myths, spooky folklore and paranormal activity. If this place gives you goosebumps, pump up your adrenaline at the same time and you wish to know more about it, then you have come across the right link. In this article, we have gathered some important information about this popular tourist place of Rajasthan which you should know.
An Insight to the Kuldhara Village, Jaisalmer
As soon as you will first set your step in the Kuldhara village, you will be greeted with straight dusty roads with intermittent rows of mud houses, sandstone walls, cul-de-sac lanes and a temple which one was once visited by the Paliwals but today is nothing more than a living testimony telling the tale of some tragic past. On the eastern side of the village, you can spot a parched river bed of Kakni which appears like a warning erasing any kind of chance for life to sustain and exist in this place. As a result, it is not surprising that just a glance at the cursed ghost town of Kuldhara switches on the thinking caps of people and immediately increases their faith in all of the paranormal and metaphysical activities. As you set out to explore this haunted place, walk along the ruins of the Kuldhara village, you can actually experience the ravages of time on its soil and feel a lingering sadness in the air.
History of the Kuldhara Village, Jaisalmer
It is believed that the Kuldhara village was founded atop the Trikuta Hill in the city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan by Jaisel Bhati in the year 1156. They decided to build a settlement in the place because their original capital, Lodarya was under the threat of attacks by the enemies. Moreover, the region around the Trikuta Hill has a smooth trade route with Persia, Arabia in the middle east by land and even through the ports of Gujarat.
As a result, people living here used to earn great revenues owing to the levied taxes from the caravans who used to travel from the place to the state of Rajasthan. Once a flourishing village of the North Western region of India with a history dating back to the 13th century was abandoned suddenly overnight in the year 1825 for some unknown cause. Though the cause is unknown but there are several rumours associated behind it.
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One rumour suggests that subsequently the invaders travelled from Afghanistan and used this route for plundering the wealth of Gujarat and the Somnath temple specifically. They were also keeping men, women and even children captive and turned them into slaves later. Hence, in order to protect themselves from the attacks of the invaders, the people of the village and the adjacent villages abandoned the place. Though there is no supernatural element behind this myth, but can feel the veil of sadness narrating the unfortunate incidents of the past which forced the people to leave their ancestral place under the cover of darkness.
Supernatural Legend Behind Kuldhara Village, Jaisalmer
There is no definite known cause which made this once prosperous village of Jaisalmer into one of the most haunted villages in India. However, according to a popular supernatural legend associated with the place, it is believed that once this village was a home to more than 1,500 Paliwal Brahmins who lived in that community for over 5 centuries comfortably and peacefully. But suddenly, one night the entire population, including 85 villages, vanished overnight in the dark and nobody knew where they left for. According to the rumours, the village had an evil prime minister, Salim Singh who had a bad reputation for collecting taxes. It is said that he set his eyes on a girl of Paliwal Brahmins and decided to marry her without her consent. He even threatened the whole village that if this marriage didn’t happen then the villagers will have severe consequences.
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However, instead of giving up, the villagers asked for some time to decide from the prime minister and vacated their houses overnight. Before leaving the village, they cursed the village that nobody could inhabit this village ever. It is believed that the curse still haunts the place as the residents of Jaisalmer tried to stay here but they failed. In fact, many strange and unnatural activities keep on happening at this place which piques the interests of many peoples, making Kuldhara a popular tourist attraction in Rajasthan.
What Is The Best Time To Visit The Kuldhara Village, Jaisalmer?
This spooky village in Jaisalmer is visited by people from all over the world throughout the course of the year. However, if you are looking for the best time to visit the place, then it would probably be somewhere in between the months of October and March. This is because during this period the climate of the place is a bit less hot than usual. So, you can easily go sightseeing and explore the various places of this ghost village without being exhausted and drained. Other than that, Kuldhara village experiences a similar climate to the rest of the state of Rajasthan. Being a desert area, the region usually remains extremely hot in most of the months throughout the year. In fact, during the winter season, the place is so chilly that going for sightseeing and exploration activities can be pretty arduous. So, if you visit the place other than the months between October and March, make sure to carry some tools to beat the scorching heat or chilly cold.
What To See And Do At The Kuldhara Village, Jaisalmer?
Maintained well by the Archaeological Survey of India, travellers from far and away come to visit this historical site to have a glimpse of how this ancient haunted village used to be during the earlier times. Talking about the entire Kuldhara region, it is a pretty much vast area and boasts of housing about 85 small hamlets. There are plenty of huts and cottages located inside the village to see but they are all broken and in ruins.
Other than that, another main attraction to see in Kuldhara village is an old temple. Dedicated to some goddess, probably Mother Nature, this temple now stands empty, vacant and is also quite ruined. However, as you go inside the temple premises, you can see that there are several inscriptions carved here and there. These inscriptions have been of great help to the archaeologists and historians to gather more information about this historic village as well as its residents. Though the sightseeing attractions in Kuldhara Village are unique and unusual but still it is a great place to visit for all those travellers who are looking forward to having an offbeat and an out – of – the – box travelling experience.
People from all over the world visit Kuldhara village to see the dark, mysterious and spooky side of the state of Rajasthan. Hence, Kuldhara is undoubtedly one of the popular offbeat tourist places to visit in Rajasthan.
FAQ’s
Q1. How to reach Kuldhara Village, Jaisalmer?
The Kuldhara village is located at a distance of about 17 to 20 kilometres from the main city of Jaisalmer. So, from Jaisalmer you can easily hire a cab or take a taxi which will take you directly to the entrance of the haunted Kuldhara Village.
Q2. What are the timings to visit the Kuldhara Village?
Ans. The Kuldhara village gates remain open on all days of the week from 8 AM till 6 PM.
Q3. Is there any entry fee to visit Kuldhara?
Ans. The entry fee is Rs. 10 per person and if you are going in by car, then the fee is Rs. 50.