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Khaba Fort, situated near Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, stands as a hauntingly beautiful abandoned village with crumbling structures and eerie silence. Believed to be cursed, it offers a unique glimpse into the past, showcasing the architectural remnants of a once vibrant community. Visitors experience a blend of history and ghostly charm.
The Indian state of Rajasthan is widely known for its rich forts and palaces. Among its uncountable number of forts, one Khaba Fort is very popular for being one of a kind. Located near the town of Jaisalmer, Khaba Fort is situated in the Khaba village amid the giant Thar Desert. Discover Khaba Fort on your Rajasthan trip package for a historic and mystical experience.
This ruined fort once housed a kingdom in it and was the epicenter of the Kuldhara village. Many tourists visit the place to unearth its history and several mysteries that haunt the village to date. The abandoned houses near the fort are a popular spot for adventure seekers and myth-busters.
The broken entrance for the Khaba fort starts near the spooky Kuldhara village. One can see the entire village and the nearby areas from the top of the fort.
You’ll always see some peacocks mingling around the fort with their wings wide open. Though the Khaba Fort is majorly ruined, one can still find some beautiful walls and a few windows. Among the other remaining structures, one would also find a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Khaba fort has a museum in it that is loaded with ancient vestiges and a few age-old rocks.
Inside the fort, there is a staircase that leads to an underground hallway that has around 70 to 80 stranded houses.
Before any visitor leaves the fort, the locals and a few former residents cast an incantation to restrict any visitor to settle in the village. Call it blind faith, superstition or something else, the locals have been practicing this to prevent any other epidemic.
Khaba Village -
The village of Khaba was home to the Paliwal Brahmins from the late 13th century. Around 80-90 families were residing in various huts and small houses scattered around the village. The mysterious story of Khaba starts in 1825 when in one night, all the villagers deserted the village and went to some other place.
To date, nobody knows where the villagers went and this remains an unsolved story. Some possible tales that explain the sudden disappearance are
- An earthquake shook the village
- Dwindling water supply in the village
- Forceful marriage of the King (Kshatriya) with a Brahmin girl
Museum at Khaba Fort-
Situated amidst the Thar Desert, the Khaba fort’s museum consists of many sand formations that have flourished in the area for years. The visitors can witness some of the geological artifacts that are native to the Thar desert.One can also see some different fossils which were found in the region.
Other than this, the visitors can also see varied rock formations with each of the formation having in-detailed information about it inscribed on a board. The spooky village is quite famous and attracts a lot of visitors from many states.
How To Reach
By Train - You have to take trains from Jodhpur to reach Jaisalmer. There are daily trains that run to Jaisalmer from Jodhpur. From Jaisalmer station, you can take private cabs that run till Khaba Fort.
By Air - If you wish to come by air, the closest airport to Jaisalmer is in Jodhpur. From Jodhpur, it is advisable to take trains to Jaisalmer.
Best Time To Visit
Since the Khaba Fort is located in the Thar Desert, it is advisable not to visit the fort during Summers (March to May). The scorching heat of the sun and the hot or locally called ‘loo’ will exhaust you.
The best time to visit Khaba Fort is during the winter season (October to January) as the climate is comparatively cooler than the summers. You can also experience the famous Jaisalmer Sand Dunes safari during the winter season.
Other Essential Information
Location: Dedha, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, 345001, India
Timing: Daily 8 am to 6 pm
Price: Entry fee of Rs. 50 per person and Rs. 50 for Camera
Places to Eat near Khaba Fort -
Since Khaba fort is close to Jaisalmer City, you will see many eating options available in the city. Among them, here are the top ones:
1. Hocus Pocus
The restaurant is located near the Jaisalmer Fort and is famous for its Indian and Vegan food. The traditional ‘Veg Thali’ served here is known for its taste in and around the city.
The ambiance of the restaurant is mild serving finger-licking food with a mild music in the background.
Other than its food, the restaurant also gives the best possible view of the Jaisalmer Fort. This roof-top restaurant is a must-visit place if you are looking to grab a bit of the traditional food.
2. Suryagarh Restaurant
Serving gluten vegetarian and gluten-free food options, Suryagarh Restaurant is known for its quality of food. Located in a courtyard near the Jaisalmer Fort, the restaurant is quite expensive compared to other restaurants.
3. Prithvi Restaurant
This roof-top restaurant serves Indian as well as international dishes from the kitchens of the Asian, Europian and Romanian cuisine. The restaurant is on the roof of the hotel of the same name near the Jaisalmer Fort.
4. The Traveler’s Cup: Premium Coffee Shop
Located near the Sun Temple in the Jaisalmer Fort, this cafe is a hotspot for tourists to grab a cup of coffee. The cafe is situated inside a bookstore making it a popular place for readers to read and drink beverages.
5. The Lal Garh
Lal Garh is famous for its Italian food and ambiance in the region. The restaurant is located near Patwa Haveli Road serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. In the dry regions of Rajasthan, this restaurant also serves some mouth-watering sea-food.
Tourism Board Alliances
Khaba Fort Jaisalmer FAQs
Is Khaba fort a haunted Place?
Many theories are revolving around the haunting of Kuldhara and Khaba Fort. A few theories that revolve around are:
- It is said that an earthquake made the people to leave the village
- From years immemorial, the region is scarce in water supply. A theory says that the dwindling water supply forced people to leave the village
- Forceful marriage of the King of the region (who was a Kshatriya) with a Brahmin girl of the village
These theories are unsure and the question that Khaba Fort is a haunted place or not remains a question.
