The Dark Tourism
The Dark Tourism
Dark tourism, thanatourism, black tourism, morbid tourism, or grief tourism is a concept of tourism involving travel to places of historical importance involving death, tragedy. Also known as doom or grief tourism, it comprises places that reminds us of bloody confrontation, human suffering and natural disasters, concentration camps and prisons;.
Dark Tourism' was coined by Lennon and Foley the faculty members of the Department of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Management at Glasgow Caledonian University in 1996. The term 'thanatourism' was first mentioned by A. V. Seaton in 1996, a Professor of Tourism Marketing at the University of Strathclyde
The travel to tourist attraction which hold some historical value rather than the tragedy itself makes a visitor a dark tourist. The holocaust tourism contains aspects of both dark tourism and heritage tourism. Kashmir Genocide in Kashmir, The Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus in 1990’s, The Mappila Rebellion of Malabar of 1921, or Battle of Bobbili in 1757 in Vizianagaram, in Andhra Pradesh are few historical events which come to mind immediately.
It wouldn’t take much time for “Dark Tourism” to get popular, due to the curiosity of our minds, though it sounds strange, but a melancholic curiosity attracts tourists to the strangest, doomed, abandoned and most foreboding corners of the world
Something unique about these places are their power to engage with representations of death, possibly unsettling and offending the visitor, triggering shock as well wonder and excitement.
Dark tourism in India includes;
1. The Cellular Jail of Port Blair, “The Kalapaani”, a colonial era prison in Andaman & Nicobar Island for political prisoners
2. The Jallianwala Bagh Massacre of 13 April 1919, also known as Amritsar Massacre
3. The Shaniwar Wada, a historic fort in Pune boasts of a chilling and haunted history.
4. The Bhangarh Fort, Rajasthan. Situated in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, Bhangarh Fort tops the list of dark tourist spots in India. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) prohibits people from visiting or staying within the premises after sunset. As per the stories narrated by the locals, people who stayed at the place never returned and spirits roam around the premises at night time.
5. Roopkund lake also known as skeleton lake in Uttarakhand which lies at an altitude of 16500 feet. The skeleton origins are still a mystery.
6. The Lothal Gujarat the Indus Valley Civilization in Gujarat, around 80 kms south of Ahmedabad.
7. The Dumas beach Surat is known to be haunted due to its association with ancient cemeteries. People interested in the paranormal are drawn to the area because of local folklore and paranormal enthusiasts who report strange happenings and ghost encounters.
8. The abandoned Kuldhara village in Rajasthan
More that could be added in the list are
The Moplah rebellion of 1921, a movement by Mappila Muslims, at Tirurangadi in Northern Kerala against the British and the Hindu landlords of Malabar which killed more than 10,000 people including 2000+ rebels and more than 45000 imprisoned
The Kashmir Genocide of 90’s, The Exodus of Kashmiri Hindus, where Kashmiri Hindus were killed and their properties and temples destroyed (South Kashmir, Ananthnag, Sopore). Of a total population some 90,000–100,000 left the valley or felt compelled to leave by the mid of 1990 experienced fear and panic set off by targeted killings of some members of their community—including high-profile officials.
The Battle of Bobbili, at Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh in 24 Jan 1757
The spell-binding story of Garo tribe which can send shivers to your spine. The people known to possess mystical & spiritual supremacies. Ruled by a queen with invincible power. She thunders “Since 500 years we had been waiting for this day, for him, I am fortunate and glad that i am bestowed with this responsibility”.
Have you heard about the “Weretigers”?
The legendry Tigermen, the magical shape-shifters?
As per one of the tribesman they still live… anonymously.
Read the “Thrilling Story”