If one is to be blamed for the downfall of Bhangarh then its the Chalisa, the great famine of 1783. Due to unusual El Nino events that started in 1780 in Indian Ocean , India was hit by two major droughts in the following years. Southern India, being closer to the ocean, was hit first and suffered the drought of 1782. The following year, Northern India was hit by a even much severe drought. This was later called as Chalisa, which literally means the fortieth, referring to the fact that 1783 was the year 1840 per emperor Vikramaditya's lunar Calendar. The severity of this famine was so high that it actually almost depopulated half of the Northern India. It is said that almost 60% of the villages of uttar pradesh, Rajasthan and areas near Delhi were depopulated and millions of lives were lost. Add this drought to the fact that Bhangarh was located in Rajputana, modern day Rajasthan, where water in old times was as it is scarce and you will get the idea. This was the time when Bhangarh, a small city, near Delhi perished. Lots of people died and those who survived the famine left in search of food and water.
So why the scary stories? Why the air of mystery?
The answer of simple, because this is the only thing that draws tourists here. If not for the imaginary ghosts, there is nothing that adds charm to Bhangarh. The myths were first created by the locals to attract tourism and then supported by people who managed to gain entry at night and wanted to show off, boast about their supernatural experiences. Whatever experience they gained was because of the noise of wind, dogs, Monkeys, Langoors and other wild animals at night and lose boulders.
Even if it was to be looked from a superstitious point of view, it is believed that animals sense the paranormal presence way before and more than humans. If Bhangarh is indeed so haunted, then how come the entire army of Monkeys and Langoors still stay and not scared off by the ghosts?
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