A Haunting Beginning in Rishikesh
Rishikesh! Around 409 meters above the sea level, a place so beatific until I folded into an encounter and realized that the opposite of divine is actually demonic. This was the second befall in Rishikesh in a span of one year. Travelling with my longtime partner to the same place never felt so charged than this time. As usual, we booked an overnight bus from Delhi and reached Nepali Farm, Rishikesh at 5 in the morning. Booked a hotel in Tapovan following a restful pause, we went out soaking in the ethos. The plan was to celebrate my 22nd birthday and return back the next day.
Lost in the Night Streets
So, on the last of August, after a pleasing dinner at the Friends Cafe, we stepped out under the stars only to realize the city’s winding streets had other plans for us. We Lost our way. The ride back was quiet until we passed by the derelict government property. From the back of the bike, the world felt eerie and still.
The First Encounter – Aanchhri
Then, my heart skipped a beat. Amidst the dark bushes stood a girl, her head tilted at an unnatural angle, hair masking her face. She didn’t move a muscle – she just watched us pass like a silent sentinel of the ruins. AANCHHRI!
The Legend Behind the Spirits
I have heard that legends revealed about these spirits of young girls who died untimely deaths now haunt the mountain ridges and weald of Uttarakhand. At places like Khait Parvat, often called the ‘Land of Fairies,’ travellers are warned to walk with respect and specially women to tie their hair or they attract the gaze of these invisible sisters.
A Strange Encounter at Night
The air felt heavy as it reached near our stay and pulled up to a roadside shop around 9:30 PM. While waiting by our rented bike, a stranger emerged from the shadows. ‘I got it cleaned for you, sister,’ he said, pointing to a white car, the door half opened, where a life had supposedly just ended. ‘I wiped the blood out.’ I saw nothing on the street and tried to shake off his assertions in denial until I got under the hotel lights. There it was: a crimson stain on my white shoes.
Unanswered Questions
My partner ignored it as it was a random accident or the man’s delusions, but I couldn’t stop connecting the dots. Was it just a drunkard’s tale, or had we brought a visitor back with us from that ruined forest building?
A Journey That Didn’t End
We slept for the night and began our journey back to Delhi the following morning. Usually, a trip to Rishikesh leaves you filled with calm and positive energy. But this time was different. I didn’t just bring back souvenirs; I brought back a mystery that keeps me up at night. For the first time, I think I didn’t come home alone.
Conclusion
This Rishikesh horror story remains one of the most unsettling experiences of my life. Whether it was coincidence, imagination, or something beyond explanation, one thing is certain – some journeys don’t end when you return home.
