Some travellers look for places with thriving food and nightlife scenes, while others choose their next vacation destination based on paranormal activity.
Mumbai is the perfect vacation whether you’re a fanatical ghoul hunter or a genuine sceptic. All over Mumbai, plenty of spooky places to explore will send chills down your spine.
Step into any of these locations brimming with ghosts if you dare, but try not to jump if you hear a random sound. Please continue reading to discover where you can add paranormal adventure to your itinerary.
1. Mukesh Mill, Colaba
Mukesh Mills, built on the Arabian Sea shore of the Colaba region of Mumbai, has been a perpetual chapter in the city’s horror tale. The compound fell into disrepair following a fire in 1982, the cause of which is still unknown; it was never remodelled and has remained closed ever since.
Several mill workers were trapped in the building during the fire. Ever since, anyone who has entered the premises of the Mukesh Mills has been driven away by the souls of the mill workers.
The once-thriving mill caught the attention of filmmakers, attracted mainly by its destroyed roofs and moss-encrusted walls and windows.
From Varun Dhawan’s Jee Karda from Badlapur to Amitabh Bachchan’s Jumma Chumma song in Hum, Mukesh Mills has featured in many old and new Bollywood movies.
Film crews avoid working here after sunset. Many people have reported feeling an unnerving sensation, seeing mysterious shadows and hearing echoing footsteps.
The most famous story around Mukesh Mills involves a yesteryear actress possessed by an evil spirit. Kamya Punjabi’s voice suddenly changed, growing rough and manly, warning the crew members to leave the place right away. After the incident, the entire unit wrapped up the shoot.
2. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Maharashtra
The biosphere and trekking site, found on the northern edge of Mumbai, attracts more than nature lovers. Sanjay Gandhi National Park is said to be haunted by the ghosts of people who’ve lost their lives because of animal attacks, especially at night.
If you’re lucky, you might catch the guards uttering a silent prayer and crossing to the more sheltered areas of the park. Many visitors have reported seeing the shadow of a woman hitchhiker coming out of the blue, dressed in all-white attire, asking them to give her a ride.
If you don’t stop, she’ll scare the living daylights out of you; her chasing speed is twice as fast as a regular person’s. Despite being haunted, Sanjay Gandhi National Park receives 2 million visitors annually.
Renting a car or a bike is an excellent way to reach your destination. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, the park is spread across 103 square kilometres, home to mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles, and amphibians.
Bring a few gifts from your friends – add a bit of whimsy with the addition of some ribbons. Pack an extra bag to carry all of the things you’ve purchased while away. It’s a good idea to avoid going to the national park in the evening, as there are signs of spirits lurking. Visit at your own risk after sunset.
3. The Tower of Silence, Malabar Hill
The Tower of Silence is a 300-year-old dakhma (or funerary tower), sprawls on the Malabar Hill’s crest. The Parsi community continues to dispose of the bodies of the dead by exposing them to the birds of prey, vultures, that is.
A corpse is considered impure because it’s colonised by evil spirits, so the community looks to scavenger birds for a peaceful passage after death. As many vultures have disappeared, solar concentrators have been installed as an alternative.
Many say that the tower is far from silent. Indeed, the place is intriguing, if not eerie, guaranteeing the untroubled passing of souls across the “chinvat bridge”. The Tower of Silence is pretty scary because the location is associated with death, a subject that is uncomfortable and unsettling to many.
4. St. John’s Baptist Church, Andheri East
St. John’s Baptist Church has a connection with the world beyond. Abandoned after an epidemic in 1840, the church is associated with the spirit of a young bride who torments people by coming into the vicinity, so you shouldn’t trespass alone at night – the woman is known to cry and scare people, especially men.
Stories of the ghost’s presence were so frequent that locals decided to call a priest to perform an exorcism in 1977 to cleanse the premises of the unnatural spirit. Rumours have it that, as the priest was reading the lines from the Bible, a voice started laughing uncontrollably. A splashing sound was heard from the pond next to the church.
At present, St. John’s Baptist Church is declared haunted and considered one of the scariest places in Mumbai. Many claim that a demon possesses the nearby pond and kills every living being that trespasses the area.
The adjacent graveyard is also a hot topic for discussion. To be more precise, gatekeepers and watchmen tell tales of ghost sightings every now and then, reporting paranormal activity.
A little precaution doesn’t hurt. St. John’s Baptist Church is in Andheri’s SEEPZ Industrial Area. As it’s abandoned, the church has fallen into decay, and vegetation has taken over the ruins.
5. Taj Mahal Hotel, Colaba
The Taj Mahal Palace is a five-star luxury hotel located in Mumbai’s historical and commercial hub. As per the guests and staff of the hotel, the place is haunted, but not by the ghosts of the deceased in the terrorist attacks.
It’s rumoured that the Taj Mahal is frequented by the chief architect, who committed suicide because he couldn’t stand the thought of people dying in his creation.
Apparently, there was an error, meaning that the hotel was built on the side opposite to what he’d planned. Many people have reportedly seen his spirit lurking around, but the ghost is said to be harmless.
Wrapping It Up
The aforementioned horror places in Mumbai have captured the imagination of those who love thrills and a hint of the supernatural.
These haunted sites offer culture, history, beautiful scenery, and architecture, so they’re worth paying a visit to. Bring souvenirs to share the experience with family and friends.
