Kuldhara: The Cursed Village of Rajasthan (A Real Haunted Tale from the Thar Desert)

The Story

Long ago, deep in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan, there was a village called Kuldhara. It was not just any village. It was home to the Paliwal Brahmins, who were famous for their knowledge, farming skills, and intelligence. Their houses were strong, their streets well-planned, and their lifestyle rich.

But one night, everything changed.

The ruler of Jaisalmer at that time, Diwan Salim Singh, was cruel and greedy. He wanted to marry a beautiful girl from Kuldhara, against her will. He also kept taxing the villagers heavily. Afraid of his power, but unwilling to give up their dignity, the elders of Kuldhara made a shocking decision. In one single night, the people of Kuldhara and nearby villages (about 84 in total) disappeared. Men, women, children—everyone left, never to return.

Before leaving, they left behind a curse:
“No one will ever live in Kuldhara again.”

Since then, for more than 200 years, Kuldhara has remained empty. People who tried to live here said they felt strange things—whispers in the dark, shadows moving, and an uneasy feeling at night. Even today, the broken houses, silent streets, and empty temple feel like they are still waiting for their people to return.

(Image: Kuldhara Archaeological Site, Rajasthan. Source: Wikimedia Commons (CC0 – Public Domain)

Is Kuldhara Really Haunted?

Locals believe the curse is still alive. Paranormal teams who stayed at night reported hearing footsteps, voices, and even touches when no one was around. Others say it is just a desert ruin with a powerful story.

Whatever you believe, standing in Kuldhara at sunset feels like stepping into another world.

"Stranger-than-Fiction: What People Actually Feel at Kuldhara"

Real Experiences from Visitors to Kuldhara

1. Whispered Voices & Sudden Flight

“While taking pictures... suddenly, a hushed voice was heard which was rather unclear but seemed like ‘Bhabha’... at first, we thought it was some kind of prank... but when we looked around, there was no one.”

Many moments later, they were gone—“we fled away as fast as we could.”

2. Flickering Shadows & Unseen Touches

A paranormal group explored Kuldhara overnight. The team reported moving shadows, haunting voices, touching spirits, and even scratches on their car by unseen hands. One person said they felt someone’s presence right behind them... but there was no one there.

3. Sounds of the Past in an Empty Village

“Numerous reports of strange occurrences... sightings of apparitions, flickering lights, and unexplained sounds. Some visitors have even reported feeling an inexplicable heaviness in the air...”

4. A Lonely Desert at Dusk

A reviewer from TripAdvisor described:

“It gives you a kinda creepy feeling... the folklore says the entire village was vacated... not a single soul was there when we visited the place... the place looks like a haunted place...”

5. Eerie Stillness and Local Tales

A visitor on a blog noted:

“Broken down houses, just rubble... desert all around... the eerie feel, well it's there... even despite the blistering noon sun, we could still feel a chill... a creepiness.”

A local boy named Suhas shared the legendary tale of Kuldhara's abandonment and curse.

6. Drone Crash & Paranormal Equipment Failure

One paranormal team’s nighttime investigation ended strangely: a drone crashed over the well, and their ghost box (device to contact spirits) picked up voices—some even revealing names.

7. Visitor Doubt and Tourist Interest

Though many locals dismiss the ghost stories as tourism myths, their presence fuels constant fascination. A resident said:

“I never encountered any such experience. People say what they like or feel about this place.”

Image: © कृष्ण कान्त शर्मा (Krishna Kant Sharma) / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

How to Reach Kuldhara

• Nearest City: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

• Distance: About 20–21 km from Jaisalmer city

• By Road: You can hire a taxi, auto, or take your own vehicle from Jaisalmer. It takes about 30 minutes.

• By Train: Nearest railway station is Jaisalmer Railway Station (21 km away).

• By Air: The nearest airport is Jodhpur Airport (~300 km away). From there, you can take a train or car to Jaisalmer

Visiting Information

• Timings: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM (best visited in daylight)

• Entry Fee: Around ₹10–20 per person; ₹50 for vehicles (may vary slightly)

• Best Season: October to February (cooler weather)

• Extra Tip: Visit at sunset for the most haunting and beautiful view, but leave before it gets fully dark unless you have special permission.

 Complete Address

Kuldhara Haunted Village
Sam Road, near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan – 345001
Distance: ~20 km west of Jaisalmer city centre