Agrasen Ki Baoli, New Delhi

Ancient Indians used to build water temples as well as earliest forms of step wells and reservoirs. Few exquisite examples of single-flight step wells still exist in Delhi today. The oldest existing Baoli - the Anangtal Baoli in Mehrauli, Delhi, was built in the 10th century by the Rajput King Anang Pal II of Tomar Dynasty.

Agrasen's Baoli (Agrasen ki Baoli) is among a few of its kind in Delhi, consisting of 103 steps made of red stone. The Baoli was originally built by Maharaja Agrasen, in the Mahabharat era, and later rebuilt by the Agrawal community in the 14th century, most probably during the Tughlaq period. It is located on Hailey Road near Cannought Place in Delhi, India, in the vicinity of Jantar Mantar. It is now a protected monument by the Archeological Survey of India (ASI), and has a mammoth board indicating it's national importance, but even the ticket-less entry attracts only a few visitors. You can reach the Baoli by taking KG Marg from outer Cannought Circus, and then turn left towards the Hailey Road.

 

The Baoli is an unique blend of architecture with an impressive design known to have existed centuries ago. The stone walls of the Baoli, dressed with inventive designs with a series of arched structure are grim and desolate, but still beautiful. The Baoli is 60 meter long and 15 meter wide rectangular step well, made up of a series of superimposed arches supported on piers or columns. Some parts of the Baoli are permanently immersed in water, but there exists three levels in the visible area (the area which is above the water) of the Baoli, each of which is lined with arched niches on either sides. These allow the visitors to explore various alcoves and rooms that once may have been used as sites for retreat or puja. Presently, the rooms considered dangerous are secured with gates, and most probably are the favourite dwelling place for the pigeons.

The Baoli had water till recent times, but now it has dried up and one can see the bed of the reservoir, full of bird feathers and droppings. It is well known for the pigeons and bats residing in the loafty places of the dry reservoir, and the presence of birds as well as "love birds" will make you realize that the Baoli is not a secluded place at all. It is a cool and silent place in the heart of the capital. The silence deepens as one moves to the bottom of the stairs, the magnificient view of the skyline disappers gradually, and the light of the day starts fading, assuring the fact that it is considered on of the spooky haunted places in Delhi. The gradual increase in the gurgling sound of pigeons, and squeaky chatter of bats echoing off the stone walls makes this place creepy.

The scuttlebutt about being followed by something or sombody invisible, the intensity of which increases if you increase youe pace, makes the Baoli feels mystic. There are rumors of evil sprits in this ancient architecture since quite some time. As per the claims, the Baoli was earlier fill with filthy Black water which attracted mostly disheartened, discouraged and depressed admirers with magnetic effects. The fatal attraction of the mystic waters hypnotized people to their death by alluring them to jump in the waters. It is believed that the "Baoli of the unseen", used to call for people to offer their lives and raise its water levels.

The occurance of supernatural activities and existence of the evil one is controversial and has been debated every now and then. The loud and shrill cry of the bats definitely add up to the evil reputation of the Baoli, and may play a role in increasing eeriness inside the monument. Some believe that the haunted tales are a myth, while some claim to be eye witness to these shocking stories. The mystic architecture definitely needs your visit. Come and experience the sensation of being alone in the Baoli.

The Agrasen Ki Baoli in Delhi is considered haunted and is placed at 10^th position in the list of ten most haunted places in India.

 

GP Block, Meerut, UP

Meerut is an ancient city in Uttar Pradesh, which according to the Hindu mythology, was once ruled by Maya (मय), or Mayāsura (मयासुर). Mayāsura was an ancient king of Daitya or Asura or Rakshasa clan, and was renowned for his architectural abilities. It is believed that Mayāsura and his subjects even had the ability to melt stones and boulders for construction of magnificent architectures.

Mayāsura ruled over MayaRastra (currently called Meerut in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India). According to Uttar-Kand in Ramayana, Mayāsura was the son of Diti and Rishi Kashyapa. He was the father of Mandodari (Ravana's wife). Hence, Meerut is also known as 'Ravan Ki Sasural' literally meaning 'home of Ravana's wife'. It is believed that Mandodari used to worship Goddess Chandi in an old Chandi Devi temple in the compound of Nauchandi ground.

Meerut is one of the fastest developing cities in India. The infrastructure of Meerut is currently going through a boom with many upcoming projects consisting of lots a new buildings, shopping complexes, malls, roads, flyovers, residential apartments. In the hubbub of the city, there is a gray shade provided to the city by an area called GP Block, which is renowned for being one of the most haunted locations in the city.

The GP Block is haunted by the ghosts of four men who are often sighted in a double storey building, which has been abandoned for years. The guys sit around a table in the with a solitary lighted candle, enjoying, and drinking beer. Sightings of a lady clad in red dress departing the building has often been reported. The sightings keeps on reiterating again and again all over the building commencing from the first floor, to second floor, and then ceasing at the terrace.

Mystery shrouds behind the ghostly appearances till date. The two storey building has been locked for many years, and people even can't remember who used to live here, and when. However, due to predominant ghostly sightings, and paranormal activity, people normally try to avoid traveling through the road around the haunted building.

The GP Block in Meerut is considered haunted and is placed at 9^th position in the list of ten most haunted places in India.

Delhi Cantonment, Delhi

The British Army established the Delhi Cantonment in 1914 as a category I cantonment. Delhi Cantt is managed by the Delhi Cantonment Board is which along with legal bodies, the Delhi Municipal Corporation (DMC), and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC), look after the state. The total population of Delhi Cantt, according to 2001 census was 1,24,452.

Delhi Cantonment inhabits the Indian Army Headquarters (Delhi Area), the Army Golf Course, the Defense Services Officers Institute, Military Housing, Army and Air Force Public Schools, and various other defense-related installations. The Army Research and Referral Hospital, a tertiary care medical center of the Armed Forces of India is also situated in Delhi Cantt.

The Delhi Cantonment Railway Station, situated within the cantonment, links the Cantonment to various parts of the country. Delhi Cantonment is situated near Janakpuri in New Delhi in the southwest district.

There has been several occasions when the sighting of a white sari clad woman has been reported in Delhi Cantonment. The lady might have been a hitchhiker while alive, hence she waves at lonely passers-by to stop and asks for a lift. If denied, she runs swiftly along side the vehicle.

 

Delhi Cantt near Janakpuri, New Delhi

The Delhi Cantonment near Janakpuri in New Delhi is considered haunted and is placed at 8^th position in the list of ten most haunted places in India

Myths / Legends of Shaniwarwada Fort

The Shaniwarwada Fort is a renowned historical tourist destination, and quite well known for its mysterious and scary legends. Most parts of the Fort was destroyed in an unexplained intense fire which erupted on February 27, 1828 inside the palace. The fury of the inferno raged for seven days and nights and destroyed every bit of the exquisite masterpiece except the heavy granite embankment built around the fort, strong teak entrances, and deep foundations and ruins of the buildings withing the fort.

 

According to the legend, the Full Moon nights are haunted in the Shaniwarwada Fort. The young prince Narayanrao Peshwa, then thirteen years old was the heir of the Peswa Dynasty. His cold-blooded, spine-chilling and brutal murder, ordered by his aunt Anandibai still haunts the walls of the fort.

The young prince Narayanrao, then thirteen years old became the heir of the Peswa Dynasty after the death of his elder brother Madhavrao I in 1772. Narayanrao was made the Peshwa but since he was a minor, his uncle Raghunathrao was made Regent. Soon Raghunathrao was held captive by Narayanrao on charges of conspiracy to overthrow him.
 

In an effort to free Raghunathrao, Anandibai (second wife of Raghunathrao and daughter of Raghu Mahadevo Oake of Guhgarh) hired Gardis as mercenaries on August 30, 1773, who captured the Shaniwarwada Fort. Soon they reached the chambers of Narayanrao Peshwa and imprisoned him. Narayanrao tried to appeal to his uncle and yelled “kaka mala vachava!” (uncle save me) again and again. However, Anandibai intervened and did not allow his uncle to help him.

Finally Anandibai was successful in plotting the death of her nephew and Naranyanrao was killed brutally by the mercenaries. His appeal to his uncle was extremely painful and so intense that the natives say that they still hear his painful soul-shaking cries at midnight on every Full Moon night.

Shaniwarwada Fort in Pune, Maharashtra

Related Post: Shaniwarwada Fort in Pune, Maharastra

Shaniwarwada Fort in Pune, Maharastra

The foundation of Shaniwarwada Fort in Shaniwar Peth (near the Mula-Mutha River, in Kasba Peth) in the city of Pune in Maharastra, was initiated by Peshwa Baji Rao I in year 1729-30. It was finally completed in 1732, and was the center of the Peshwa rulers of the Maratha Empire until 1818. In June 1818, the Peshwas surrendered to the British and lost control over the fort. The Peshwa, Bajirao II, abdicated his throne to Sir John Malcolm of the East India Company and went into political exile at Bithoor, near Kanpur in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India.

Peshwa Baji Rao I, who was the prime minister of Chattrapati Shahu, the king of the Maratha Empire, laid the ceremonial foundation of the Shaniwarwada Fort on Saturday, January 10, 1730. The fort was completed in 1732, at a total cost of Rs. 16,110. Its impressive architecture consists of a blooming garden with fountains, courtyards, offices, inhabited quarters and audience halls. The GrihPravesh (opening ceremony) was performed according to Hindu religious customs, on January 22, 1732.

Later several additions were made in the Fort by the Peshwas, including the fortification walls, with bastions and gates; court halls and other buildings; fountains and reservoirs. At present, the fortification wall has five gateways and nine bastion towers, enclosing a garden complex with the foundations of the original buildings.

Shaniwarwada Fort was built by a contractor from Rajasthan known as 'Kumawat Kshatriya'. It is said to have been designed and constructed by many well-known artisans, including Shivaram Krishna, Devaji, Kondaji Sutar, Morarji Patharwat Bhojraja (an inlay-work expert from Jaipur) and Ragho (a painter). After completing construction of the fort, these people were given a name 'Naik' by the Peshwa.

Five gates of Shaniwarwada Fort

Dilli Darwaza (Delhi Gate) faces north towards Delhi and is the primary gate of the fort. Chhatrapati Shahu is said to have reasoned the north-facing fort a gesture of Baji Rao's ambitions against the Mughal Empire, and recommended that the main gate should be made chhaatiiche, maatiche naahi! (chests of brave soldiers, not mere mud – in Marathi).

The Dilli Darwaza is very strongly built and has massive doors, large enough to admit elephants outfitted with howdahs (seating canopies). Each pane of the gate has seventy-two sharp twelve-inch steel spikes arranged in a nine by eight grid, at approximately the height of the forehead of a battle-elephant. Each pane was also fortified with steel cross members, and borders were bolted with steel bolts having sharpened cone heads.

The bastions flanking the gatehouse have arrow-loops and machicolation chutes through which hot substances could be poured onto offending raiders. The right pane has a small man-sized door for usual entries and exits, but it is too small to allow an army to enter rapidly.

As the ceremonial gate of the fort, military campaigns would set out from and be received back here, with appropriate religious ceremonies.

Mastani Darwaja (Mastani's Gate) or Alibahadur Darwaja, was used by Bajirao's mistress Mastani while travelling out of the fort's boundary wall. This gate is also north facing.

Khidki Darwaja (Window Gate), facing east is named for an armoured window it contains.

Ganesh Darwaja (Ganesh Gate), facing south–east is named after the Ganesh Rang Mahal, which used to stand near this door. It could be used by ladies at the fort to visit the nearby Kasba Ganapati temple.

Jambhul Darwaja or Narayan Darwaja (Narayan's Gate), facing south was used by concubines to enter and leave the fort. It obtained its second name after Narayanrao Peshwa's corpse was removed from the fort for cremation through this gate.

The important buildings in the palace include the Thorlya Rayancha Diwankhana (The court reception hall of the eldest royal, meaning Baji Rao I), Naachacha Diwankhana (Dance Hall), and Juna Arsa Mahal (Old Mirror Hall).

All the state halls in the buildings had exquisite doorways with carved teak arches. Ornamental teardrop teak pillars shaped like Suru (cypress tree) trunks supported the ceilings, which were covered with beautiful teak tracery, carved creepers and flowers. Exquisite glass chandeliers hung from the ceilings. The floors were made of highly polished marble, arranged in a mosaic pattern and adorned with rich Persian rugs. The walls contained paintings with scenes from the Hindu epics, the Ramayana and the Mahabharata. Since the buildings were destroyed in the fire of 1828, only descriptions of the living areas of the fort are available.

One of the buildings in the Shaniwarwada complex was seven storeys high from. It is said that the spire of the Sant Dnyaneshwar temple at Alandi, 17 km away, could be seen from the uppermost terrace of this building. The fort had an impressive lotus-shaped fountain named Hazari Karanje (fountain of a thousand jets). It was constructed for the pleasure of the infant Peshwa Sawai Madhavrao. It was designed as a sixteen petal lotus; each petal had sixteen jets with an eighty foot arch. It was the most complicated and intricate fountain of its time.

Shaniwarwada Fort in Pune, Maharashtra

The Shaniwarwada Fort in Pune, Maharastra is considered haunted and is placed at 7^th position in the list of ten most haunted places in India.

Related Post: Myths / Legends of Shaniwarwada Fort