Kolkata is an ancient city with a rich culture and tradition. These haunted places in Kolkata are sure to make you shiver! The city is undoubtedly one of the most loved metropolitan city earning the name ‘ the city of joy’.
However, for thrill seekers the city has its own share of the supernatural eerie tales hidden in its old buildings, ancient mansions, ruins, cemeteries and dilapidated houses. These places never fail to evoke a thrilling sensation and excitement in the hearts and minds of people.
Metro Station on Shyam Prasad Mukherjee
Let’s start with the Metro Station on Shyam Prasad Mukherjee road near the Rabindra Sarovar otherwise known as the ‘suicide Station’ or ‘paradise of suicides’. The Station built in 1986, has earned this reputation as a large no of suicides (nearly seventy to eighty percent) committed in the city have been reported from this place.
Paranormal activities have been reported by many late- night commuters who claim to have had ghostly encounters and have heard eerie sounds like painful cries footsteps shuffling about when there is actually no one to be seen. Engine drivers have witnessed shadows or apparitions moving on the tracks which disappear as the trains approach.
According to many urban legends passed down since many years it is believed that some of the suicides committed here have been induced by the aggrieved spirits of those who have lost their lives on these tracks. A man once met a handsome young man who was wandering on the platform and requested him to click his photo but suddenly disappeared.
It was later known that this young man wanted to become a model which his parents opposed. Frustrated, he ended his life on these tracks. Hence many have seen him requesting them to click his picture before disappearing.
About 10.25 pm the Station becomes totally empty as most people avoid this Station and prefer to take the one before or after it. Many skeptical people have refused to believe in these stories calling them wild imaginations of creative and superstitious minds.
However the Rabindra Sarovar metro station continues to be one of the most haunted places of Kolkata.
Putulbari one of the most Haunted places in Kolkata
Putulbari (house of dolls)is located near the Circular Railway track and Shobhabazaar jetty in North Kolkata. The place got its name because of the beautiful dolls, made in archaic Roman style, decorated on the arches of the terrace of the house.
It is considered as one of the most haunted places in Kolkata with a dark and tragic history. Locals say that the landlords living in that mansion used to exploit and torture young women who were courtesans, forcibly brought for their entertainment, before killing them and burying them in the courtyard of that very building.
In the dead of the night, people have heard the pitiful cries of women who have been murdered by the landlords. Sound of anklets and bangles are heard resonating from the upper floor. Believed to be haunted by the dissatisfied spirits of those courtesans, no one is allowed to go upstairs.
This ancient building is now in a dilapidated condition with only a few people living in the ground floor. The reputation of this building makes it a tourist attraction especially for those who love to explore the paranormal.
National Library
During the British era, this was the office of the Governor General. He had a huge collection of rare and expensive books. His wife, Lady Metcalfe was an ardent lover of books and used to spend most of her time either reading or taking care of those books.
She had a peculiar idiosyncrasy. She always kept arranging the books in an orderly manner without a speck of dust on them. After her death, it is believed that her spirit never left this favorite place of hers. People have experienced her ghostly presence when they visit the library.
They have also felt someone breathing down their necks as they’re reading. Such an experience can make your blood run cold and giving you goose bumps. Even when the library is closed, the librarian has reported that he has seen chairs not being in their places or books removed from shelves.
Efforts made to renovate the library was hindered resulting in fatal accidents of some labourers which is believed to have been caused by the spirit of Lady Metcalfe who was against any alterations. Thus the National Library has many real life testimonies regarding a supernatural presence and is considered to be one of the most haunted places not only in Kolkata but in India as well.
Hastings House
This building is now converted to the Institute of Education for Women which was once upon a time, the residence of Warren Hastings, the first Governor General of Bengal. This building is now reputed to be haunted and no one dares to stay here after sunset.
The staff and students have very often seen an English man riding a horse and entering the campus. Reports say that Warren Hastings still visits his residence in a ghostly carriage and is seen desperately searching for something which people think is a black box which contained important documents to prove his innocence in the trial conducted against him.
Lack of evidence in his favor led to his impeachment. Centuries later Hastings is still searching for the black box. It is also believed that the spirit of a small boy is seen in the campus who had tragically died when a football hit him very hard on his chest while playing.
The ghostly figure of an English woman with a lamp, has also been seen by some who claim it to be the spirit of Hastings’ second wife. All these incidents make this place very scary yet there are dare devils who want to experience it themselves making ‘The Hastings House ‘a tourist attraction.
South Park Street Cemetery
It was built in 1767 during the British regime. Cemeteries itself give everyone a feeling of fear and thrill. Daytime visits can send a chill down your spine but this cemetery is especially known for its paranormal activities.
People have seen shadows moving amidst the tombstones. This cemetery is an important tourist spot as it contains the graves of nearly 1600 British men, women and children. It is believed that their restless spirits continue to haunt.
Some years back a group of tourists sighted a white apparition and as a result all of them fell ill. One of them suffered from a fit if asthama which he never had before.Though creepy in every way it still attracts visitors who don’t mind spending money on tickets to enter the premises.
Thus there are many such fearful and mysteriously intriguing locations in Kolkata which make interesting visiting spots for those who enjoy thrills and chills.
