This is in response to Sadje’s Weekly Photo Prompts on #Whatdoyousee.
The guide said, “This is the jharokha through which the jenana of the palace had glimpses of the outside world.
When they saw the victorious enemies marching towards the fort they performed jauhar – self immolation to save themselves from being manhandled by the greedy king and his indisciplined soldiers.”
He took us below a steep flight of steps where the women of the palace had burnt themselves alive. It was dark and musty. The ancient walls carried the indelible memories of the devouring flames.
“It is said that after nightfall you can still hear the painful cries of the women – their bodies licked by the all consuming fire invoked by them through secret chants.”
We came out of the fort a little dazed. The guide followed us, “You see the Board of the Archaeological Survey of India at the entrance. It carries strict instructions that the tourists should vacate the premise before 5.00 PM. This fort is haunted.”
Somebody scoffed in the group. The guide turned around and looked at him directly in the eye, “No babuji. Don’t laugh. Somebody like you had once strayed from the group to stay back and experience the paranormal. His body was found the next day inside the well in the courtyard overlooking the hamaam where the royal ladies used to take baths.”
There was a funny look in his eyes. Almost sinister. The locals believed in keeping the fort alive and we had been specifically told not to humour them.
I involuntarily looked at my watch. It was about time we left. The sun was setting in the western horizon streaked with red and purple. A wind had started blowing bringing in a chill which was not felt during the day.
We took the jeep back to the hotel. I needed a cup of garam chai very badly. We stopped at a departmental store to pick up some snacks to munch with the tea. The tour of the fort still playing vividly in our minds we stood in front of the shelf stacked with chips and cookies for quite some time before making our choice.
I guess we have to forego our plan of going back to the fort at midnight for that real time experience of ancientness and forgotten history.
We wish to be back home alive to tell the stories.
This short story is inspired by a trip to Bhangarh Fort, Sariska, Rajasthan, which is famously haunted. The Board of Archaeological Survey of India at the entrance of the Fort has written instructions for all the tourists to leave the premise before sunset.
This is part of Blogchatter’s #WriteAPageADay Campaign.
What an intriguing story Geeta! Loved how you’ve incorporated both the images in your story. Thanks for joining in.
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Thank you very much Sadje
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You’re most welcome my friend
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[…] Visit To The Fort […]
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Thank you so much Sadje. I am glad you liked the story. It’s a pleasure to interact on this platform.
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What a great story, Geeta! Also you put the two photos together so well. Excellent!
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Thank you Very much Chris
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Great haunting story and that image of the Fort looks very sinister 🙌
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Thank you Ange. We in fact visited the Fort to see if we could get the spooky feel. During the day it’s very crowded and hot. So no spooky stuff. At night nobody is allowed to stay back. I believe some News Channel did take special permission to stay the night at the Fort but the tumour is that the journalist was not left in a state to recount her experience.
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That’s scary!
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A wonderful story, Geeta. Thanks for adding that interesting footnote, it’s somewhere I’d really like to visit should I find myself back in Rajasthan one day!
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You must. The whole of Rajasthan is a historical heritage. The story is taken from the legends of Chittorgarh and the jauhar committed by Rani Padmini to save herself and other palace ladies from the lust of Allauddin Khilji who hopelessly fell in love with the queen seeing her reflection on the waters of a pond.
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I enjoyed your story a lot, Geeta! I wonder if I would have stayed? lol
I hope you’re having a happy Monday!
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Thank you very much Kimberly. A happy Monday to you too.
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Nicely done
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Thank you so much Derrrick 🙏
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Wonderful story.
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Thank you so much
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You’re most welcome
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[…] Geeta; Visit to the fort […]
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Wonderful, Haunting story, Geeta!
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Thank you so much 👍
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