Kunal Roy
Dominique Lapierre has described this city as the “City of Joy” in the novel of the same. The glamour and glitz of the city would make you fall in love! A lovely destination of historical and cultural mansions. Yet there is a rumour that it is the zone which speaks of supernatural occurrences. However, there are enough evidences of supernatural activities that send a chill down the spine. But before you move ahead to weave the scary tales, you need to bear in mind that you shouldn’t visit alone to prove your spirit.
Lady Metcalf, the spouse of Governor General Charles Metcalf was a cleanliness freak. Claims are there to witness her presence in the National Library. Her footsteps and activities are still the talk of the town. One of the spookiest places is an interesting place to visit with prowess. The Royal Calcutta Turf Club is another location where George Williams, a diehard fan of racing died on the tracks. It is said that on every moonlit Saturday night, he is seen to be racing on the track. The late night guards have become accustomed with such a ghostly obsession. On the other hand, staff and the hostel girls complain of their vision of an English man entering into the premises and galloping on the college grounds of Hastings. A little boy who died there, is also viewed to be playing on the ground. A silent place resembling an absolute Necropolis! The Park Street Graveyards is much famed for the paranormal activities. The tall edifices seem to bear a strong testimony to such unearthly occurrences . The photographers feel their presence. The uncanny ambience can make you feel breathless and dizzy! The much popular Rabindra Sarobar Metro station is a favourite zone for committing suicides. Agile shadows are seen rambling and jumping over the tracks. Returning home by late night metros can be a cause to frighten your soul! Moreover, Nawab Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh abdicated his throne with the hope that British would give him a place to live in London amid luxury and comfort. But the summon didn’t come, rather he was captivated on the dock! He breathed his last there, but still he is seen roaming there. Soldiers who died there were a part of the Nawab’s revenge for betraying him. Sailors and other workers seem to be petrified in trepidation here. Ghosts and their movements have become an integral part of our socio- cultural status. The Writer’s Building is a favourite haunt of ghosts. Staff and others opine that shrieks and cries are heard in the darkest hours of the night. One can easily feel the hair on one’s skin. Things still manage to evoke curiosity in people. Besides, the Ganges, Doll’s House are the most wanted haunted places as shadows, cries, sounds of moping the floor or an uncanny feeling still rule the roost. Forsooth no matter how socially advanced we become, ghosts and their companions are always there to entertain us amid fear and tears!
A monsoon dusk. The clouds have amassed in the sky. The lights are extinguished. The curvy reptilian tunes are heard, all of a sudden. And you feel their cold touch, see the blood stained teeth and the long, sharp nailed fingers. Fear will creep. The heart will hopefully skip a beat or run like an unbound doe amid the green meadows and you seem to be a stranger on this earth. Such is the impact of those shapeless figures. We may not believe in their existence, but we cannot afford to ignore their presence. After all who can say what will happen in the very next moment! Any explanation?
– Kunal Roy