In photos: Eerie and desolate Kuldhara still captures our imagination

There’s no one to say “padharo mhare des” (visit my place) in Kuldhara village. At least no one has said that since the early 19th century. Kuldhara, located approximately 18 km southwest of Jaisalmer city, is an abandoned village and one of the most intriguing places in the country. As per the legend, the entire village got abandoned as people left overnight, leaving their homes as it is. Centuries of abandonment has turned Kuldhara into a ghost town, attracting tourists interested in exploring its eerie atmosphere and the legends associated with its abandonment.

Kuldhara is said to have been abandoned in the early 19th century. The exact reasons for its abandonment are still a subject of speculation and legend. What’s left of the town is just the outlines of erstwhile homes, decrepit traditional homes and a temple or two.

Even though it is a ghost town, curious visitors do flock to see what’s left of the old village of Kuldhara. Its proximity to Jaisalmer city (18 kms away) makes Kuldhara a great day trip option.

According to local folklore, the Paliwal Brahmins, who were the original inhabitants of Kuldhara and the surrounding villages, abandoned the village overnight to escape the oppressive rule of the local minister. As per the story, the evil minister was infatuated with a girl from Kuldhara and threatened to levy heavy taxes on the villagers and forcibly marry the girl if they did not comply with his demands. In order to protect their honor and freedom, the Paliwal Brahmins decided to abandon not only Kuldhara but also 83 neighboring villages.

While leaving their beloved homes, the villagers cursed the land saying no one else could ever inhabit the land. While this legend is widely accepted, there is limited historical evidence to support it.

Though the stories are gripping, some theories also suggest that the abandonment might have been due to a combination of factors, including a severe drought, dwindling water resources, and socio-political changes during that time.