From An Abandoned Mansion To A World War Cemetery: 7 Of Pune's Most Haunted Haunts

Pune has always had an incredibly rich history. From the Peshwas in the 18th century to the British Empire taking over a century later, the city reflects its varied, and sometimes wild, past. To some, it’s the place to get the best bhakarwadi; to almost everyone online, it’s the butt of every “dating mishap” joke. But to me, well, it’s all of the above, and it’s also home.

Now, the city’s historical baggage doesn’t just show up in its food, architecture, and language. With Halloween around the corner, let me take you through some of the city’s eeriest haunts (yes, actual ghosts, not just the ghosts of people’s dating pasts). These are stories I’ve grown up hearing, from my mother, as we’d avoid taking the Holkar Bridge after 6 PM, to my teachers, who’d share ghostly tales during school trips to the Peshwai-era Shaniwar Wada.

The Holkar Bridge, located over the Mula River, is said to be one of the most haunted stretches in India. Numerous accounts describe eerie sounds, mysterious figures, and shadowy silhouettes appearing late at night. Some believe the bridge was built atop an old cemetery, while others trace its hauntings to a tragic hit-and-run accident that claimed the lives of a mother and her child, leaving the mother’s restless spirit behind. As with most ghost stories, the reasons are many and tangled.

So, the next time you’re headed towards Yerwada or Khadki — the two areas the bridge connects — try to avoid crossing it after dark. And if you can’t, whatever you do: don’t stop to look around.

Symbiosis College, known across the country for its 'vibrant' student life (whatever vibrant means to you), hides a spookier side behind all that buzz. Tucked away in Viman Nagar, the road leading up to campus has quite the haunted reputation. Locals swear by it, dogs bark at thin air, people faint for no reason, and after dark, even the bravest students suddenly remember they have “assignments due”.

The century-old single-screen cinema hall, Victory Theatre, is one of Pune’s oldest. Its history is as dramatic as the films it screens — once a playhouse during British times, it even became the site of a bomb blast during the freedom struggle. If those walls could talk, they’d have stories for days. But at night, the theatre seems to come alive in more ways than one. The old chairs creak without reason, and screams and maniacal laughter are said to echo through the hall, even during movies. So, if you’re a horror movie enthusiast, a late-night stroll past Victory Theatre might just give you enough jump scares to last a lifetime.

Choice Hostel, a boys’ hostel, has its very own version of Moaning Myrtle —the ghostly girl from Hogwarts who haunts the bathrooms. Students have reportedly seen a woman in a red saree, holding a candle, staring at them while they’re sleeping or bathing. Locals claim the apparition resembles a woman who once lived there and was tragically murdered. The ghost is said to have a sorrowful, melancholic expression, and her wails are sometimes heard echoing through the corridors late at night.

An abandoned mansion in the middle of a bustling road has long been the subject of eerie tales and reports of paranormal activity. With its crumbling walls and a thick ring of trees enclosing it, the house stands as a haunting contrast to the lively city around it. Many have claimed to see a woman sitting on the roof, silently watching the road below. At night, the air grows heavier as sounds of sobbing, screaming, and laughter echo from within the decaying structure.

One of Pune’s most iconic monuments, Shaniwar Wada, was built in 1732 by Bajirao I. Despite its historical grandeur, the heritage site is almost always avoided after dark because of its haunted past. Legend has it that the young Peshwa prince, Narayan Rao, who ascended the throne at just 17, was brutally murdered on his uncle’s orders in 1773, a result of bitter family politics and an insatiable thirst for power. Even nearly 300 years later, it’s said that the fort’s walls still echo with the prince’s desperate cries for help : “Kaka, mala vachva!” (Uncle, save me!), especially on full moon nights. I still remember visiting Shaniwar Wada on school field trips, and every time I heard this story, I’d immediately get the heebie-jeebies.

The Kirkee War Cemetery, Khadki a burial ground for soldiers, is one of the most serene and beautiful spots in Pune during the day. Lush greenery and quiet pathways give it an almost meditative calm. But as the sun sets, that calm reportedly turns eerie. Locals claim to have heard loud shrieks echoing through the night, believed to be the anguished cries of fallen soldiers. Some visitors have even reported feeling a sudden jolt or striking sensation on their feet after accidentally stepping on a grave. So, no matter what, remember to tread carefully — and never disrespect the dead.

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