10 Most Haunted Places in Shimla Revealing Ghostly Tales

Shimla, nestled in the hills of Himachal Pradesh, greets you with picturesque scenery and splendid architecture, but have you ever wondered what lies beneath its beauty and mist-covered forests? A side that not many have seen, a side that not many can endure, a side that is not for the faint-hearted! Yes, Shimla, which once was a British colony, is shadowed by dark secrets that remain uncovered, where the past lingers in the form of ghostly tales and paranormal mysteries. The series of haunted places in Shimla, holding onto the spirits of yesteryears, where people have felt the existence of negative energies. From haunted tunnels and shadowy roads to colonial-era buildings, this little hill station promises a spine-tingling experience, each echoing its own dark story. Let's unveil the spooky side of the Queen of Hills!

Haunted Places in Shimla That Will Shake You to the Core

Remember the spooky stories of spirits in childhood that scared you out of your wits every time – and didn’t let you out of your bed alone? The haunted stories of Shimla are sure to bring back startling memories and give you sleepless nights. Shimla, the summer capital of the British, is blessed with scenic beauty in abundance, and with it comes the uncanniness of haunted locations, where tragic stories and supernatural beings come alive. So, if you are a ghost hunter or into eerie secrets, here is a list of the 10 haunted spots in Shimla waiting to be discovered by you:

• Tunnel No. 33
• Charleville Mansion
• Convent of Jesus and Mary
• Chudail Baudi
• Indira Gandhi Medical College
• House Of Dukhani
• Viceregal Lodge
• IGMC Road
• Bantony Castle
• Kingal Road

1. Tunnel No. 33 (Barog Tunnel)

Located on the Kalka-Shimla Railway route, Tunnel No. 33 tops the listing of haunted places in Shimla for all the right reasons! The tunnel is said to be visited by the ghost of Colonel Barog, who chats up with unaware strangers passing through. In 1898, Colonel Barog, an English railway engineer, oversaw building the tunnel but failed to complete the project by the deadline due to some miscalculations. The government charged him with a Rupee 1 fine, following which Barog shot himself dead.  On completion, the tunnel was named after him. Although Barog physically left the place long back, but he literally never did – as he is often seen riding a horse here. So, if you ever get a sight of the sincere railway engineer, do not panic – Barog is a friendly spirit and won't harm you.

Location: SSN School Rd, Barog, Kalka-Simla Railway

Visit Hours: 6 AM to 9:30 PM

Nearby Attractions:

• Grave of Barog
• Barog Railway Station
• Choor Chandni Peak
• Kumarhatti Solan Bypass Tunnel
• Temple Badog

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Barog Heights
• Slice of Heaven Homestay Barog
• Hotel Ojas and Restaurant
• Barog Diaries
• Barog Times

2. Charleville Mansion

Set atop a lush, forested hill, Charleville Mansion’s striking Victorian-style architecture will keep your gaze hooked on it until the realization hits – you’re glancing at one of the most abandoned places in Shimla that secretes eerie tales at every corner. As twilight descends, the mansion takes on an even more haunting ambiance. This luxurious mansion was the residence of the Assistant Secretary of the Railway, Victor Bailey, and his wife, back in 1913. But one fine day, the owners recklessly vacated the mansion and never returned back – and the reason will send chills down your spine. One night, soon after the lights went out, the couple heard crashing sounds in a locked upper room that was considered haunted. When they opened the door, the room was in complete disarray with furniture thrown against the wall and broken mirrors all over the floor. Even their servant saw someone wandering in the house, whom he defined as an English Gentleman (Captain Charles Pratt), who slowly disappeared through the closed door. Disturbed by these incidents, the couple left the villa – and since then no one has ever dared live here.

Location: Postal Quarters, The Mall, Shimla

Visit Hours: 9 AM to 5:30 PM

Nearby Attractions:

• The Ridge
• Jakhu Hanuman Temple
• Himachal State Museum
• Kali Bari Temple
• Marina Waterfall

Nearby Hotels:

• The Hosteller Shimla
• Hotel Sidharth Regency
• Hotel Taj Palace
• Hotel Pineview
• Hotel Maharaja Shimla with Lazeez Restaurant

Suggested Read: Topmost Destinations to Celebrate New Year in India

3. Convent of Jesus & Mary, Chelsea

Established as an orphanage during the British rule, Convent of Jesus and Mary today is one of the best educational institutions, but it is also where the Headless Horseman haunts on Friday - the 13th! The beheaded rider offers roses to a young girl and takes her along when she agrees. And those who don’t, are killed. Yet another folklore narrates that the place is haunted by the spirits of orphans who were burnt alive when the fire broke into the dormitory many decades back. There’s a young girl who roams around the place asking for her doll. Although no one's aware of the reality, the Convent of Jesus and Mary continues to intrigue with its mysterious past dating over 150 years back!

Location: Nav Bahaar Directorate Rd, Navbhahar, Chhota Shimla

Visit Hours: 8:25 AM – 2:30 PM

Nearby Attractions:

• Jakhu Hanuman Temple
• The Bliss Grand Lounge Bar & Discotheque
• Mall Road, Shimla
• Hawa Ghar
• Sanjauli Viewpoint

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Atithi
• Rocky Knob Shimla
• Hotel Mayur
• Hotel Springfields
• Hotel Fairmount Shimla Forest Greens

Suggested Read: Explore Top Places for an Amazing New Year in Shimla

4. Chudail Baudi

Imagine encountering a white saree woman on an isolated road cocooned within verdant forests? That's exactly what is experienced at Chudail Baudi (Witch’s Well), among the most haunted locations in Shimla, with a tale no less than any horror movie! There’s an English woman with long black hair, a twisted face, and feet turned backward, dressed in a white saree that goes around asking people for a lift. And when resisting the lift, a moment later, she'll be in your car with a grim face, staring at you constantly. As you pass this stretch, your vehicle speed seems to decrease even though you try not to. According to folklore, it is the spirit of a woman who suffered the tragic fate of being buried alive by her husband upon being unjustly accused of adultery. The route takes you on more of a ghost road trip, with greater paranormal activities felt here after the sun goes down.

Location: Shimla Highway

Visit Hours: 24/7

Nearby Attractions:

• Mall Road
• The Ridge
• Jakhu Hanuman Temple
• Charleville Mansion
• Indian Institute of Advanced Study

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Pineview
• Hotel Maharaja Shimla with Lazeez Restaurant
• Hotel Sidharth Regency
• Hotel Taj Palace
• The Hosteller Shimla

Suggested Read: Honeymoon in Shimla: Bloom Your Romance amidst the Picturesque Landscapes

5. Indira Gandhi Medical College

A prestigious medical institution and health center in the state of Himachal Pradesh, Indira Gandhi Medical College is a popular name on the list of Shimla's haunted places that remain steeped in supernatural and mysteries. People time and again have reported mysterious activities and occurrences in rooms, corridors, and lifts of the building. Strange whispers and creepy noises can be heard through the walls, but there’s no one talking there. There have been instances of people experiencing pushes from behind while walking down the stairs. The campus of this hospital and college is shrouded in a gloomy ambiance with the spirits of those who lost their lives here, making it extremely difficult to walk through the place without being scared – even if that’s for a while!

Location: Ridge Sanjauli Rd, Lakkar Bazar

Visit Hours: 24/7

Nearby Attractions:

• Charleville Mansion
• The Ridge
• Jakhu Hanuman Temple
• Kali Bari Temple
• The Mall Shimla

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Auckland
• SnowView House, Shimla
• Pine View Cottage
• Rocky Knob Shimla
• Dhaulpur Lodge

Suggested Read: Best Things to Do in Shimla: Rediscover Yourself in the Enthralling Land of Adventures

6. House Of Dukhani

Located in Shimla hills, the House of Dukhani is a ravishing house dating back to the era when the British were in reign in India. The house is home to the spirit of an old man named Bucky wearing a white gown, who committed suicide by firing himself in the same outfit. Many years back, Bucky's house was visited by his close associate Sir John Smith, who accommodated there for the night. In the middle of the night, Sir John was awakened by the wind and light coming through the window facing the garden, and that's when he saw a grey-haired old man standing there! To his astonishment, Sir John later discovered that the man had died about 40 years back and thereafter, he no longer slept well for many nights!

Location: Shimla Hills

Visit Hours: 24/7

Nearby Attractions:

• Charleville Mansion
• The Ridge
• Jakhu Hanuman Temple
• Himachal State Museum
• Kali Bari Temple

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Auckland
• SnowView House, Shimla
• Pine View Cottage
• Hotel Aachman Regency Shimla
• Hotel Landmark

Suggested Read: Most Haunted Places in India That Will Fascinate You

7. Viceregal Lodge

Housing the Indian Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS), the Viceregal Lodge is no less than a visual treat for travelers. But it is also one of the most mysterious and haunted locations in Shimla! While the marvelous architecture of this 19th-century summer residence of the Viceroy of India keeps your gaze hooked on it, and everything seems very normal, there’s some eeriness in the atmosphere of the building. The alleys and hallways that you walk through are all haunted by the restless spirit of Lady Curzon, who makes her presence felt by the visitors even during the day by swiping their essential items. After dusk falls, the shadows of British officers come alive, and the tapping of shoes on the wooden floors can be heard although there is no one around.

Location: Rashtrapati Nivas, Chaura Maidan Road, Near Observatory Hill, Boileauganj, Shimla

Visit Hours: 10:30 AM to 5 PM

Nearby Attractions:

• Shimla State Museum
• Kali Bari Temple
• Charleville Mansion
• The Ridge
• The Mall Road

Nearby Hotels:

• Snow Valley Heights
• LaRiSa, Shimla
• Snow Valley Resorts Shimla
• Shimla Regency Hotel
• Meraki Shimla

Suggested Read: Beaches In India: Recreate The Wildness With Sand Water And Foam

8. IGMC Road

IGMC Road is not just an ordinary path, but a spooky stretch shrouded in mysterious and blood-curdling history. The treacherous route is said to be haunted by the spirits of those who lost their lives in accidents on this narrow, winding road and now seek revenge from those passing by. According to folklore, a newlywed woman, who died in a car accident on this road, appears before the travelers which leads to dangerous accidents and the deaths of many. Yet another incident narrated by a legend highlight that a bus driver, who crashed into a tree along with the vehicle and died on the spot, continues to haunt the road. He is seen sitting along the road or asking for a lift from the locals, only to disappear when trying to help him. A man who sold oranges on this road back in the 1960s, died here and continues to be seen by locals with his basket of oranges. But he harms no one though. Many have encountered a headless figure on the road and heard screams, which is enough to send chills down your spine. There are so many other stories that are related to this road built by the British for transporting timber and other goods, now a bustling route with both locals and tourists.

Location: Sanjauli – IGMC Shimla Bypass

Visit Hours: 24/7

Nearby Attractions:

• Jakhu Hanuman Temple
• Charleville Mansion
• The Ridge
• Mall Road, Shimla
• Lakkar Bazaar

Nearby Hotels:

• Pine View Cottage
• Dhaulpur Lodge
• Hotel Sunrise Aquila
• Prakash Cottage
• Rocky Knob Shimla

Suggested Read: Islands In India You Should Visit For Romancing In Nature

9. Bantony Castle

Standing within the premises of Bantony Estate, Bantony Castle is known for haunting stories as much as its regal charm. Captain A. Gordon during British rule met a gruesome end within the walls of this grandeur of architecture, and his spirit lingers here even today. He has been spotted wandering around the castle in his military uniform and sometimes staring out from the windows. Very frequently, disembodied whispers and footsteps echo through the empty halls of the castle. Although the castle was restored in 2017 as a digital museum, it continues to give proof of its haunting reputation.

Address: Near Scandal Point, Kali Bari Road, The Mall

Visit Hours: 10 AM to 5 PM

Nearby Attractions:

• Charleville Mansion
• Kali Bari Temple
• The Ridge
• Mall Road, Shimla
• Lakkar Bazaar

Nearby Hotels:

• Hotel Sidharth Regency
• Hotel Taj Palace
• Hotel Pineview
• The Hosteller Shimla
• Hotel Maharaja Shimla with Lazeez Restaurant

Suggested Read: Nightlife In India: Get Overwhelmed With Newfound Side Of The Country

10. Kingal Road

Another popular name on the haunted sites in Shimla list is Kingal Road, located about 90 km away from the main town. While a normal route during the day, it transforms into a sinister lane after dusk with supernatural occurrences and otherworldly souls around. While you drive along this road, some weird lights start to show up, the reason for which is unknown until today. Although it's believed to be due to paranormal activities taking place here. Many have had encounters with a mysterious woman clad in a white saree, who appears into the thin air of hills only to vanish into the darkness. It's advised to not pass through this route at night until you are seeking an encounter with supernatural forces!

Location: Kingal, Kumharsain

Visit Hours: 24/7

Nearby Attractions:

• Durga Mata Temple Challan
• Swaran Jayanti Vatika
• Tanni-Jubbar Lake
• Siri Garh
• Koteshwar Mahadev, Temple Mandholi Kumarsain

Nearby Hotels:

• Aarav Regency
• The Halt @Narkanda
• Hotel Bisht Regency

Shimla is a popular tourist destination with historical significance and breathtaking beauty, but its enigmatic charm equally attracts those intrigued by the supernatural. So, if you are looking forward to uncovering the bone-chilling ghost stories of Shimla, book one of our meticulously curated Shimla tour packages today and start packing your bags for a hair-raising adventure as you explore the uncanniness of the most haunted locations in Shimla. During the trip, don’t miss out on the most popular places to visit in Shimla to experience the best of both worlds!  

Haunted Places in Shimla - FAQs