Barlowganj Mussoorie Cemetery

A very famous saying in the 19th and 20th centuries echoed, “The sun never sets on the British Empire.” But when it finally did, the empire left its traces all across the world for future generations to follow. The town of Mussoorie in Uttarakhand, India, is just another proof. It was one of the favourite destinations of the British in India, and while they have left, their past still breathes in its air- either as architecture or in spirit, quite literally.

Today, you can hardly spot a Briton in Mussoorie, but if you wait for the mist to settle down in the night forests of deodar and pine trees, the buried seem to rise from the dead and might stumble across you. And this experience is very infamous in the Barlowganj Christian Cemetery in Mussoorie. But is this just folklore or a reality?

Located steeply in the midst of the hills of Mussoorie, Barlowganj is home to one of the most picturesque and lush landscapes in the town. The location is just as mystical and calming as it could be. It offers a slight chill along with a deep sense of mystery. But it also has a Christian Cemetery, which, just like many hidden haunted places in Mussoorie, stands still and unknown. Many people pass it on their way to Mussoorie but hardly make a stop, and those who do have reported unusual experiences.

There are many haunted places in Mussoorie, but Barlowganj stands out due to its anonymity. Many people do not recognise or widely talk about the paranormal experiences locals and travellers usually report here. And they all stem down to one place – the Barlowganj Cemetery. People have reported sounds of heavy military thumping and platoon drills. Many have reported faint cries for help from small children or women. It is often said that the cemetery haunts with its silence, which suddenly diminishes at night into whispers and faded rhythmic sounds, while some have simply stated that they have felt like someone is watching them.

A few experiences even explain how visitors have stumbled upon unknown and unprecedented obstacles that hinder their way into the cemetery. There have been reports of sudden battery drainage, unexplained chills, and strange feelings of anxiety. But these experiences are not limited to feelings and sounds. A few visitors or trespassers have also reminisced about visual sightings of British men, women, and children who appear extremely faded and vanish in the blink of an eye.

It was difficult for the Britishers in India to feel at home. Hot and humid weather, different geography, unfamiliar architecture, and unusual faces – there were not many places where they could settle and turn them into what would feel closer to Britain. Thus, the hills of Uttarakhand and Himachal often attracted them. Mussoorie was one such town that they completely captured as their own. From observatories, military camps, and hotels to homes, schools, and cemeteries – they built everything in the town. The Barlowganj Cemetery was one such infrastructure.

Many Britons, including soldiers fighting in wars, families fleeing the plains’ heat, or those struck by cholera and other illnesses, never made it back to their homes in England. They were buried at different cemeteries in Mussoorie instead, including the Barlowganj Cemetery. The graves were often placed under deodar trees and fading crosses. These were people living away from their homeland and even their families. There were strong pangs of separation and homesickness that remained in their hearts and died with them.

Locals and their folklore often reason that the experiences near Barlowganj, Mussoorie, are of the ghosts of Britishers still pensive about their displacement from their homes.

While there have not been any strong incidents that would signal a terrifying presence of spirits and ghosts in Barlowganj Cemetery, the place itself feels petrified due to ancient historical evidence. There are graves from the 1800s, covered in ivy leaves and resting below tall deodar trees. The tombstones read British names, and many military men can be found buried here. It is strongly imagined that all these old burials are home to ancient spirits who never rest in a foreign land and crave their homes.

The truth is unknown, whether the spirits really knock at the back of visitors, but one thing is assured: the cemetery haunts, amuses, and surprises, either through the experiences, folklore, or even the landscapes.

Disclaimer:
This content is for educational and awareness purposes only. Information may be interpretative, culturally influenced, or drawn from multiple sources. The Unknown India does not claim absolute accuracy in all cases.