The Mystery of the Haunted Village of Kuldhara

Do you believe in curses? If you do, then the eerie village of Kuldhara might be just down your lane. Abandoned over 200 years ago, it is believed to be cursed by the residents who left it.

Dec 26, 2022

A Popular Tourist Destination

To admit the truth, I am an intrepid traveler deeply addicted to dark, offbeat places that do not fall on any touristy map. The darker, the better, is my mantra. Simple as that!

But Kuldhara, the ghost village, is not exactly the offbeat little-known location that meets my criteria. In fact, it is one of the most popular and most visited tourist places in Rajasthan state, India. It is a heritage site, and the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) maintains this village. Many renovation activities are happening in this village, and the government has partnered with several private companies to boost tourism there.

That said, the fact remains that it is a ghost village. As I took the dusty road about 20 km from Jaisalmer town and reached the ruined gates of the town, I was greeted by the fiery sun and a desolate silence that still haunts this village. And as one walks through the ruins of this ancient 13th-century village, the utter desolation can be seen in its various open houses, a little old temple, and walls with little nooks that once held tiny little lamps, all in a state of complete despair.

No humans have ever lived in this village for the past 200 years. A once flourishing and prosperous place was suddenly abandoned overnight as the little-known village of Kuldhara acquired a fearsome reputation as a hotbed of mysterious paranormal activities that continues to this day.

The Story of Kuldhara

Kuldhara was established in the 13th century by Paliwal Brahmins. The villagers were prosperous and indulged in various activities like trading, farming, and banking. They were also proficient builders and craftsmen, as seen in their exquisite homes made of clay and bricks with ventilation techniques that kept the interiors cool even in the blazing sun.

Life was simple and peaceful as the village population grew up to 800 households, as reported by British officer James Tod who visited Kuldhara in 1815. Then one day, their life turned topsy-turvy as a tax minister from Jaisalmer visited the village to collect tax. His eyes fell on the village chieftain's beautiful daughter, and he fell in love at first sight. He announced his intentions as he said,

"I am going to marry this girl. If anybody stops me, I will levy more taxes on the entire community. I will come tomorrow to take her away with me."

The villagers were frightened. The tax minister was powerful and cruel, and they did not want to marry off their village daughter to a monster. The Paliwals held a council and immediately decided to leave the village and their lands. That night all the villagers left the town, never to be seen again. But before leaving, they cursed the village never to be inhabited again.

The next day, when the minister came to marry the girl, he found the village utterly empty. It was as if 800 households had just vanished in thin air. In the years that followed, the curse held to its potency as no one could ever settle in the village due to strange phenomena and paranormal activities that drove the settlers away.

Kuldhara fell into disrepair as its majestic houses and temples became dilapidated shadows of their former self. The once-prosperous village of Kuldhara froze in time and has remained so for the past 200 years.

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Is There Any Truth in the Stories?

To this day, the village remains abandoned, and nobody can spend a night without permission.

The village elders of the nearby village are now the caretakers of Kuldhara. They promptly close the village gates at 6 pm as the sun goes down over the dunes. Tourists are not allowed after this time as locals believe spirits still haunt the village after sunset. But that has not stopped the development activities inside the town.

The government of Rajasthan has heavily started investing in Kuldhara since 2015. Various projects include a multi-cuisine cafe, a lounge, a folk-dance performance area, night-stay cottages, and shops. The government is also rebuilding some houses and refurnishing the temple with stairs, walkways, and guard posts. Things are again looking upbeat for Kuldhara.

However, a nagging question persisted. Are there any ghosts? A village elder tells me,

"People come here with a perception that ghosts live here, but we have never seen any such thing. No one lives around this place, and this kind of atmosphere creates fear,"

He said a team from Delhi's paranormal society even investigated Kuldhara and stayed for more than twelve hours. Although they did spot some paranormal activities on their machines and a couple of the team members also experienced a feeling of somebody tapping on their shoulder, nothing could be conclusively proved. It was as if the village was not ready to spill out its dark secrets.

It was nearly 6 pm as I left the gates of Kuldhara. The calmness of the sand was suddenly punctuated by a cold wind that tingled the pores of my body, leaving me a bit uneasy.

Are there really ghosts out there, or is it just my feeling? The village of Kuldhara remains one of the most intriguing destinations I have traveled to in my lifetime.

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Travel Details

The Kuldhara village is located about 20 kilometers from the city of Jaisalmer. You can reach Jaisalmer by various modes,

By Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur Airport which is well-connected to all other major airports in India. Travelers can take cab or bus services to Jaisalmer, 6 hours away.

By Train: There are trains available to Jaisalmer from all major cities like Jodhpur, Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

By Road: Jaisalmer is well connected by bus services from Jodhpur, Jaipur, and even Delhi. It takes around 15 hours by car from Delhi to Jaisalmer.

How to Reach Kuldhara: Taxis and private cabs are available from Jaisalmer to Kuldhara village.

Visit Timings: 8 am – 6 pm all days.

Best time to Visit: The winters (October – March) are the best time to visit Rajasthan when the weather is pleasant, and tourists can also plan visits to various festivals underway in different cities of Rajasthan

Stay Options: Jaisalmer has several hotels where accommodation can be planned, and Kuldhara can be visited on a day trip.

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