It was a July afternoon when my rented vehicle slowly crossed the deserted gates of the notorious Kuldhara village, located just a few minutes' drive from Jaisalmer Railway Station in Rajasthan. The sun was high in the sky, and the desert heat was intense. An unsettling silence hung in the air as mine was the only vehicle there at that hour. Noted as Asia's most haunted village, Kuldhara has long captured the attention of scientists, paranormal enthusiasts, history buffs, photographers, and curious travelers like me. Before planning my trip to Jaisalmer, I had read countless stories and watched several videos about mysterious happenings in Kuldhara. However, nothing truly prepares you for the experience of being inside a place that has been abandoned for over two centuries.
The Chilling Tale of Kuldhara
According to folklore, Kuldhara was once a beautiful and prosperous village. But what made its residents suddenly leave in the early 19th century? Some stories suggest a cruel king who wanted to marry a village girl without her consent. In response, the residents left overnight. Before departing, they are believed to have placed a curse on Kuldhara, declaring that no one would ever be able to settle there again. Fact or folklore, the village remains empty to this day.
Meeting the Viral Gatekeepers
As soon as I stepped out of my car, the air felt different. Two people sat at the gate: Arjun (also known as Sumar Ram Bheel), an elderly man over 80, and his son, a young man in his 30s. I had seen the gatekeeper in many videos and read about his wait for a lost love from Australia. I paid a nominal fee and began speaking with them to understand their experiences. The elderly man said, "Bhoot voot kuch nahi hota hai beta. Asli bhoot to insaan hai, ye mare huye log kisi ka kya bigaad lenge." While I was lost in his deep voice, big eyes, and long white beard, my driver urged me to move ahead before evening arrived. We drove inside a preserved heritage site, a former ghost village now managed by authorities. I saw kilometers of ruins: mud houses, a roofless temple, and crumbling walls, all frozen in time. There was no sound of humans, just our car. I spotted some sheep but no birds. The silence was eerie, almost as if the village itself was holding its breath.
When My Gadgets Shut Down Automatically
Drawn to the mystery, I wanted to capture videos and pictures. I took out my phone to record, only to realize the battery was drained to the point of switching off. I clearly remembered recharging it before leaving. I then pulled out my DSLR, but it started acting weird. This was the most unsettling part: all my electronic devices suddenly stopped working without explanation. They had functioned perfectly minutes earlier but now refused to turn on. My phone screen went dark, and multiple attempts failed. I blamed the July heat, but my driver, a local, mentioned his phone battery had also drained unusually fast inside the village. A chill ran down my spine. Perhaps it was coincidence, but in a place like Kuldhara, every strange incident feels like a personal attack from the unknown.
A Well-Planned Village
Exploring further, I discovered Kuldhara was remarkably well-planned, with neatly aligned homes and an advanced drainage system for its time. This makes the sudden abandonment even more puzzling. Why would a prosperous community leave everything behind without a trace? No signs of struggle, no remains of violence—just silence.
Stories of Haunting
Locals and guides warn visitors not to stay after sunset, as people have heard inexplicable noises, footsteps, and whispers at night. Though I explored during the day, there were moments when I felt watched or followed. Standing inside a roofless house surrounded by ancient walls, I experienced a strange emptiness. I wasn't scared exactly, but overwhelmed, and suddenly I wanted to leave. I spent only an hour inside Kuldhara, but I wanted to be as far away as possible. Another shock came when my phone and DSLR started working the moment we crossed the village boundary, as if nothing had happened. I have no logical explanation, only memories.
So, is Kuldhara truly haunted? I can't answer that, but I can say it is one of the most unsettling places I have ever visited. If you plan a trip, go with an open mind and respect the place and its history.
Disclaimer: The above account is based on the author's personal experience, and The Times of India does not endorse or verify these views.
