The village of Kuldhara, located 18 km from Jaisalmer, India, has been deserted for over 200 years. According to local legend, the village was cursed after its inhabitants, the Paliwal Brahmins, left suddenly one night. The reason behind their departure was the cruel Diwan Salam Singh, who wanted to capture the village and marry a priest's daughter against her will. The villagers, determined to protect their honor, decided to leave the village together, taking only their most precious belongings and leaving the rest behind. They placed a curse on the village, saying it would never prosper again. Today, Kuldhara is considered one of the most haunted places in India, with many paranormal sightings and unexplained occurrences reported. Despite efforts to settle the village, no one has been able to stay there for long.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. Kuldhara village is located 18 kilometers away from Jaisalmer city in Rajasthan.
2. The village was once inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins, who were known for their intelligence, education, and scientific knowledge.
3. In around 1291, the Paliwal Brahmins settled in Kuldhara village, which was then a thriving community with 600 houses and 84 villages.
4. The villagers were skilled in agriculture and built many wells and ponds to support farming in the desert region.
5. The village was abandoned overnight, and the reason behind this is attributed to Diwan Salam Singh, a cruel and ruthless administrator who wanted to capture the Sonar Fort.
6. Salam Singh's cruelty was sparked by an incident in his childhood when his father's garden was destroyed, and he became determined to take revenge.
7. The villagers decided to leave the village rather than compromise their honor, and they did so in one night, leaving behind their belongings and homes.
8. The villagers were said to have placed a curse on the village, stating that it would never be inhabited again and that anyone who tried to settle there would meet with bad luck.
9. Salam Singh and his army searched the village but found no one, and later, his soldiers tried to settle there but were unable to do so.
10. The village remains abandoned to this day, and many people believe it to be haunted.
11. In 2013, a team from the Paranormal Society investigated the village and detected negative energy using a specialized device.
12. The Rajasthan government has built a boundary around the village and allows visitors to enter during the day, but they are required to leave by 4 pm.
13. The village is now a tourist attraction, and visitors can see the remains of the old homes and buildings.