There are several enigmatic sites in India, from a place where birds commit suicide to a fort where entry is prohibited after sunset. India is undoubtedly a nation of mystery, with a rich culture, a lengthy history, and millions of people who hold mystical and supernatural beliefs. Additionally, several locations in India contradict accepted rules of physics and nature. Five such places are listed here.
Kuldhara village, Rajasthan: The abandoned village
More than 1,500 Paliwal Brahmins, descended from a group that had lived in the area for more than five centuries, lived in Kuldhara about 200 years ago. However, all 85 villages’ inhabitants as well as the general populace escaped one day, overnight. Folklore holds that the inhabitants of Kuldhara left the village with a curse, forbidding any further settlements, rather than simply leaving it as it was. Today, all that is left are a few decaying structures, an ancient temple, and rumours that attempt to explain the sudden evacuation.
How to reach there?
Rail: Jaisalmer, the Golden City of Rajasthan, is about 18 kilometres away from Kuldhara. At Old Delhi Junction, board the Howrah Jaisalmer Express for a 14-hour trip to Jaisalmer.
Road: The 770-kilometer trip from Delhi to Jaisalmer would take approximately 12 hours to complete.
Kodinhi, Kerela: The village of Twins
Kodinhi, a small town located 35 kilometres south of Calicut in Kerala’s Malappuram district, would not have gained international attention if it weren’t for the exceptionally high number of twin births that are frequently reported there. Kodinhi, also referred to as the “Village of Twins,” is home to almost 200 sets of twins and two sets of triplets. It’s fascinating that Kodinhi women who get married outside of their tribe also give birth to several children! Some doctors think that the local water’s chemical composition holds the key to this riddle, despite the fact that the majority of researchers have been unable to solve it.
How to reach there?
Air: Flying up to Calicut International Airport is the best and quickest way to reach this enigmatic village. You can then hire a taxi to take you the last 40 kilometres to Kodinhi.
Kongka La Pass, Ladakh: An Alien Abode
Kongka La Pass, at a height of 16,970 feet, is a low-ridge pass located in a region where China and India have a contentious border. Locals on either side of the border think that the area is inhabited by extraterrestrials, despite the fact that neither the Indian nor Chinese armed forces patrol the area. Here, reports of everything from UFO sightings to encounters with odd humanoids are rather regular.
How to reach there?
Air: Since the Pass is located in a disputed region, access is impeded. By taking a flight from Delhi to Leh, one can still learn more about the strange UFO sightings near the Kongka La Pass.
Roopkund, Uttrakhand: The Skeleton Lake
Every year, hundreds of human skeletons can be seen floating in Roopkund, a glacial lake at an elevation of 16,500 feet, as the ice melts. The bones in Roopkund Lake were rediscovered in 1942 by a forest ranger, but their whereabouts have remained a mystery ever since. Forensic analysis and radiocarbon dating have led researchers to estimate the age of the bodies to be around 1,200 years. Nobody is certain of these individuals’ identities or of their activities in such a hostile area of the Himalayas. Folklore has it that the skeleton remains belong to King Jasdhawal of Kanauj, his expectant wife, and a large number of servants who were on their way to the shrine of Nanda Devi.
How to reach there?
Road: Just as challenging as deciphering the puzzle of the bones is getting to Roopkund in Uttarakhand. If Delhi is your starting location, take the highway up to Loha Jang Pass. From there, hike the remaining 34 kilometres to Roopkund Lake.
Jatinga, Assam: Where Birds Commit Suicide
The Assamese village of Jatinga offers all the amenities you would want from a tranquil vacation spot. Instead of its lush vegetation and mountainous backdrop, Jatinga is well-known for a strange phenomenon that occurs every year in the monsoon season. Hundreds of migratory birds commit mass suicide here just after sunset. Unsurprisingly, the locals offer the scary explanation that the incident was caused by malevolent spirits in the skies. Naturally, ornithologists have developed their own scientific theory because they aren’t happy with this explanation. They claim that the birds are confused by the thick monsoon fog and high altitude. These disoriented birds crash into trees and buildings as they attempt to fly toward the village lights, whereupon many are killed or severely injured. Nobody has ever offered an explanation for why these birds only fly at night or why they always end up stranded in the same spot.
How to reach there?
Air: Board a flight to Silchar Airport in Assam and complete the remaining journey of around 100 km by road to reach it.