The abandoned town of Kuldhara, which is only a short drive from the golden city of Jaisalmer, has fascinated tourists and residents. Kuldhara was formerly an active community founded in the 13th century by the wealthy Paliwal Brahmins. It was renowned for its sophisticated agricultural practices, water conservation methods, and planning.

But in the early 19th century, something mysterious happened. The entire population of Kuldhara, along with people from 83 nearby villages, vanished overnight. According to a legend, the reason was the oppressive demands of Salim Singh, the powerful minister of Jaisalmer. It is said that he wished to marry the daughter of the village chief and threatened the community with heavy taxation if they refused. To protect their dignity and escape persecution, the villagers chose to abandon their homes under the cover of night. Before leaving, they supposedly cursed the land, declaring that no one would ever be able to live there again.

Since then, Kuldhara has remained uninhabited. Attempts to settle or build in the area have reportedly failed, with people claiming they experienced strange disturbances. Though historians and archaeologists have also explored alternate explanations, such as earthquake damage or water shortages, none have fully explained the speed and scale of the abandonment.

The Rajasthan government now maintains the site as a protected historical site, attracting tourists with its spooky ruins, isolated alleyways, and paranormal stories from the past. The crumbling sandstone cottages, tiny alleyways, and temples provide a frightening peek into the life that previously existed there. Many tourists report feeling an unexplainable energy in the air, contributing to Kuldhara’s reputation as one of India’s most haunted locales.

Either spurred by strange forces or historical events, Kuldhara is a terrifying yet captivating depiction of a forgotten culture steeped in mystery and silence.