The most haunted places in Mumbai for a spooky night out

An abandoned Portuguese-built church (dating back to 1579) with crumbling stone walls and a roof open to the sky sounds like the setting of a gothic horror film – and St John Baptist Church has the story to match. The old burial grounds and ruined state of the church, which was abandoned in the 19th century, fuelled stories of supernatural encounters. One of the best-known involves the spirit of a young bride said to haunt the area. The local lore goes that in 1977, an exorcism was conducted to rid the church of the apparition. The place’s eerie atmosphere has kept the legend alive for decades.

Where: St John Baptist Church, Cross Rd C, SEEPZ, Andheri East

Opening hours: Not specified 

Entry: Restricted

With its dense greenery, winding roads, and stretches that feel far removed from Mumbai’s urban chaos, Aarey Milk Colony (or Aarey Colony) has long inspired several spooky tales. The most persistent legend concerns a woman dressed in white appearing to motorists after dark, asking for a lift. Some stories also say that she follows vehicles, appears in rear-view mirrors, or disappears just as drivers approach her.  Also, the tales of mysterious figures and unexplained encounters have helped Aarey Colony turn into a regular fixture on Mumbai’s haunted places list. Plus, the landscape itself adds to the atmosphere: dimly lit stretches, thick forests, and limited visibility can make a late-night drive feel unsettling even without supernatural intervention – if you pass through Aarey, remember that it is a living ecosystem.

Where: Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon East

Opening hours: Mon-Sun, all hours

Entry: Free

The former textile mill dates back to the late 19th century and was once part of the city’s textile industry until a devastating fire in 1982 killed several workers, leaving the property with a tragic chapter in its history. Later, it became a location for film shoots, and many actors and crew members shared stories of paranormal experiences like strange sounds and unexplained sensations while filming there. These anecdotes have cemented Mukesh Mill’s reputation as one of Mumbai’s most haunted places, even though no paranormal activity has been verified.

Where: Mukesh Mills, Azad Nagar, Colaba 

Opening hours: Not specified

Entry: Generally restricted for public access, as it's a private waterfront property

The reputation of Poonam Chambers is linked to the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts and a wall collapse reportedly involving the building in 1997. Over the years, these incidents became intertwined with tales of unexplained activity after office hours – security guards complained of strange disturbances, heard doors rattling, and experienced unsettling moments while working late at night. 

Where: Poonam Chambers, Markandeshwar Nagar, Shiv Sagar Estate, Worli 

Opening hours: Mon-Sat, 10am to 6pm 

Entry: It's a corporate office space, so entry might be restricted unless you’re visiting for business purposes.

The story of Nasserwanj Wadi near Mahim Railway Station centres on a Pari gentleman named Nasser, who owned the property and resisted multiple attempts by builders to acquire it for redevelopment. As per local lore, Nasser was subsequently burnt alive, and people believe that his spirit remains in the premises, guarding the land he owned. The tale has acquired an especially eerie detail: folks trying to trespass into the area have allegedly experienced a sudden stinging sensation on their faces, as if an invisible hand had slapped them. Some versions of the story differ on the circumstances surrounding Nasser’s death.

Where: Nasserwanj Wadi, Gabriel Road, Mahim West

Opening hours: Mon-Sun, all hours

Entry: Not specified, as it’s an open residential compound

The ghost story of D’Souza Chawl in Mahim is centred on a well that is said to have claimed the life of a local woman who accidentally fell into the well while drawing water and drowned. Reportedly, the well lacked a protective boundary. As years passed, the residents said to have spotted a female apparition wandering the compound after sunset. Some versions of this spooky tale also describe a woman in a white saree appearing near the well and vanishing before dawn. Unlike more menacing stories of vengeful spirits, this one often portrays the supposed ghost as harmless. While the alleged sightings remain unverified, the story reflects how a tragic incident can become woven into a neighbourhood’s identity over generations. 

Where: D’Souza Chawl, Near Canossa High School, Mahim

Opening hours: 24/7 

Entry: Not specified