‘Haunted walks’ to horror movie screenings: Delhi’s interest in ‘paranormal’ goes beyond Halloween

Delhi's fascination with the paranormal has transcended Halloween celebrations as enthusiasts seek thrilling experiences through haunted heritage walks and horror movie screenings. Anoushka Jain, an author and curator, notes that her haunted walks tend to draw larger crowds compared to her usual heritage tours. At sites like Jamali-Kamali and Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, participants claim to have had supernatural encounters, including seeing a Djinn in the form of a Nilgai.

Anthropologist Mohammad Anas, founder of Unzip Delhi, has been hosting cultural walks since 2021, with recent events reported to generate considerable engagement. Enroute Indian History, led by Anas, is organizing haunted walks on Halloween. The walk at Feroz Shah Kotla is set to mark the first anniversary of Anas's book, 'Ghosted: Delhi's Haunted Monuments'.

While some heritage walk curators like Shah Umair prefer to focus on history rather than paranormal legends, others like Anas and Eric Chopra aim to provide a balanced perspective, intertwining the historical and supernatural aspects of Delhi's monuments. The challenges of hosting these events include site closures and safety concerns, as well as the need to balance the immersive experience with historical accuracy.