In India, tourism is famous for various historical events, rich cultural heritage, and plenty of natural resources; people are attracted to beaches, valleys, desserts, and wildlife. India is a diverse country and serves several different options for travelers based on their interests, One of which is dark tourism. It is also popular because the government has gone through several natural emergencies. Wars, the fight for freedom. Poverty, which is still prevalent, and other tragedies in the past.
Dark tourism involves people taking curiosity to discover places that represent tragedies. It calls for paranormal activities, visiting sights associated with death, destruction, and human sufferings. Though this concept sounds strikingly bizarre, it has gradually attracted enormous young and energetic tourists aged between 21-35.
Only sheer curiosity drives people insane to explore such places and explains the human mind, which seeks pleasure through dark experiences.
Bhangarh Fort Rajasthan
It is considered one of the most haunted forts located in the district of Alwar in Rajasthan. The visitors are strictly prohibited after 6:00 PM as many odd and paranormal phenomena have been detected.
According to the nearby villagers, it is said that a priest had cursed the place, due to which no one is allowed to visit the site until sunrise.
Jallianwala Bagh Amritsar
It is one of the most grief-stricken places where more than 1500 unarmed people were brutally injured and killed in a massacre on 13th April 1919.
Thirty-six marks of the bullet on the walls of Jallianwala bagh is evidence of how terrifying that day was. Tourists visit the place mostly to go through those marks of the bullet on Jaalianwala bagh walls.
Cellular jail Andaman and Nicobar
Cellular jail was a colonial prison popularly known as Kala Pani located in Andaman and Nicobar. It was used to exile the political leaders and activists who raised their voices against the colonial government during independence. The leaders were kept in isolation there; the prison cells didnβt even have windows; prisoners were severely attacked and torched to death.
You can visit the place and feel the pain as the cellular jail walls are testaments of the suffering of more than 80000 innocent prisoners.
Shaniwar Wada Pune
This grand fort was built in Pune during the rule of Peshwa Bajirao. Apart from being a tourist destination, this place can be a dark sport for you as it is believed that evil spirits surround the site.
According to the nearby inhabitant, human-like growls and screams prove paranormal activities with the place; hence people are advised not to visit this place after sunset.
Tajmahal Palace Hotel Mumbai
It is a seven-star luxury hotel situated in the Colaba region of Mumbai. On 26th November 2008, it has witnessed one of the most significant terrorist attacks for almost two and a half days; thus, hundreds of people were found dead and injured.
You can now visit Mumbai especially where you can go through a series of the incident took place on the night of 26/11
Challenges
The basic ideology behind dark tourism has been questioned many times as people often perceive it negatively due to a lack of understanding and proper knowledge.
Several places are not entirely opened for everyone, and others are not well maintained, which makes it more dangerous, keeping the paranormal factor aside.