Kurseong, previously known as Kharsang meaning “land of the white orchids’ is the most haunted hill station in India. Situated 30 kms from Darjeeling, known for its beautiful vistas, orchid gardens, tea plantations and dense forests, it is a picturesque place. Unlike other haunted places with one prime spot for all super natural activities, this entire hill station is more or less a ghost town. Home to a death road, paranormal happenings, haunted school, headless ghost and countless real ghost stories this place got it all and the locals brag about it quite fondly.
Death Road : A small stretch of road lies between Dow Hill road and the forest office, more commonly known as the infamous Death road. Many petrifying accounts of a young headless boy walking down the road and disappearing in the woods have left the locals shook. A woman in a grey dress wandering around has also been spotted , as well as a red eye staring at them for a blood chilling moment.
The school : Near these woods, witness to countless unnatural deaths, lies a 100-years old boy’s school that is said to be haunted as well. When it remains closed, in the months December to March, constant shrieks, loud whisperings and footsteps are heard from the school. The Victorian style building only adds to the eeriness of the place. However, no deaths have ever been recorded on the premises, either accidental or natural.
Dow Hill of Kurseong : This area along with the forests surrounding it has quite an ominous feeling. People here have also felt like they are being watched or followed by someone when in the woods. The forest seems to haunt the people who had been there. These events have tormented and depressed some to loose their mental health and others to the point of suicide. Another thing Dow Hill is notorious for are the unrecorded murders that have taken place here.
Testimonials :
Hussain, my cab driver shared that if you travel through this place at night, 9 out of 10 times the car will break down. Also, some of the people who insisted on visiting this place after nightfall got mysteriously sick soon after and not in a good way.
Sayan, the manager at the lodge added that when he was new here, he too wanted to explore this place after nightfall. The bike he went on did stop working but what was more weird was that it started back on while the key was not in the ignition. That sure did send chills down my spine.
All in all, these local legends along with the dark eerie forests adds to the eerie ambience of the area. Ghost or no ghost, Kurseong is a stunningly scenic hill station standing still in time. If you are looking for a paranormal encounter, this is where you need to be. Explore this town for yourself and feel free to agree to disagree.
How to reach Dow Hill :
By air : Bagdogra Airport is the nearest one to the town of Kurseong. Dow Hill is located at a distance of 50 km from the airport, which can be covered in an hour and a half in a local cab.
By train : Alternatively, the nearest railway station is Jalpaiguri. A local cab can take cover the distance of 42 km from the station to Dow Hill in an hour and fifteen minutes.
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