Abbey Bungalow, Lohaghat

Tucked in the picturesque hills of Champawat district, approximately 15 km away from Lohaghat, lies a small town known as Abbott Mount. This hill station, established by the British during their colonial rule, has garnered fame not just for its scenic beauty, but also for the dark and eerie tales associated with it. A place once considered a prime vacation spot, today Abbott Mount is known for something more sinister: the haunted Abbey Bungalow. Despite its stunning views of the Himalayas, this place harbors a dark secret that still sends shivers down the spine of those who venture into its vicinity.

The Early Years: The Foundation of Abbott Mount

Abbott Mount was established in the early 20th century by John Harold Abbott, a British man who fell in love with the area’s serene beauty. It became a popular getaway for the British officers and elites due to its pleasant weather and enchanting landscape. Surrounded by a rich variety of flora and fauna, the place was a favorite spot to escape the heat of the plains.

The town boasts of several colonial-era buildings, including old mansions and churches, with 16 historical buildings still standing today. Not far from these structures is a picturesque church, which is gradually falling into disrepair. Below the church lies a graveyard containing several tombs, hinting at the place’s long history.

However, among these scenic views and historic buildings, the most infamous is the Abbey Bungalow, now recognized as one of the most haunted places in India.

Abbey Bungalow: A Mysterious Transformation

The Abbey Bungalow, once a symbol of British grandeur, was later converted into a hospital in the 1920s after the death of Mr. Abbott. Initially, the hospital was a charitable venture, catering to the poor and those in need of medical attention. The hospital was a bustling place, filled with patients from all over the region. However, it was not just the medical care that made this hospital famous. The involvement of a mysterious doctor, Dr. Morris, marked the beginning of the hospital’s dark history.

Dr. Morris, who joined the hospital in the early 1920s, became a figure of fascination and fear. He was renowned not only for his medical expertise but also for his uncanny ability to predict the deaths of his patients. It is said that Dr. Morris could look at a patient and immediately determine whether they would survive or not. But what shocked people more was that he could predict the exact date of death. The prediction was always followed by the patient being sent to a ward known as the “Mukti Kothri” (Liberation Room), where they would be found dead the next day.

The Mystery of Dr. Morris and His “Mukti Kothri”

Dr. Morris became quite infamous in the area due to his predictions. His ability to forecast death led to a growing belief among the locals that he had supernatural powers. As the story goes, every time Dr. Morris predicted a patient’s death, it came true. This supernatural aura around him made him a revered yet feared figure, and soon people started trusting him blindly.

However, the real horror unfolded when patients started dying under mysterious circumstances. Whenever Dr. Morris predicted a patient’s death, that patient would be sent to the Mukti Kothri, and they would never return. Some people claimed that the deaths were purely coincidental, while others believed that Dr. Morris was intentionally causing these deaths to validate his predictions.

What was even more unsettling was that some of these patients had no family members to take care of them. The poor patients, coming from distant villages, were often abandoned at the hospital, where they were left to die in the Mukti Kothri. It is said that Dr. Morris started experimenting on these abandoned patients.

The Gruesome Experiments

Dr. Morris, fascinated by life and death, reportedly started conducting gruesome experiments on the patients. He would reportedly open up the brains of living patients and compare them to those of the deceased in an attempt to understand the difference between life and death. His experiments became more bizarre as he tried to measure the weight of the soul, using injections to keep his patients in a semi-conscious state between life and death.

These experiments went on for a while until one day, a colleague of Dr. Morris exposed his practices. The truth behind his experiments was revealed, and the hospital was shut down immediately. The patients who had been subjected to these horrifying procedures were left to die, their bodies being used in Dr. Morris’s macabre research.

The Aftermath: Haunted Abbey Bungalow

After Dr. Morris’s death, the hospital was abandoned, but the tales of his eerie experiments did not fade. Over the years, the Abbey Bungalow gained a reputation for being one of the most haunted places in India. Locals believe that the spirits of those who died under Dr. Morris’s care continue to haunt the area, and the Mukti Kothri is said to be the epicenter of paranormal activity.

Even today, people claim to hear strange noises, including the sound of footsteps, whispers, and even anguished cries, coming from the bungalow. Some say that they have seen apparitions or felt a sudden chill in the air when passing by the area. Due to the reports of strange occurrences, the place has become notorious for being a haunted location.

Local residents avoid going anywhere near the Abbey Bungalow, especially at night. Many claim to experience unexplained psychological disturbances, such as dizziness, nausea, and feelings of dread when they approach the site. There are even stories of people who have ventured into the area only to never return or to experience life-threatening situations shortly after.

Abbey Bungalow Today: A Place to Avoid

Today, the Abbey Bungalow remains a place of curiosity for ghost hunters and those fascinated by the supernatural. However, it is also a site that locals warn against visiting. The once-beautiful area now stands as a haunting reminder of a dark chapter in history, where science and superstition blended into a series of tragic events.

Local authorities have restricted access to the area, and it is considered dangerous to visit the site alone, especially after dark. The eerie aura that surrounds the place and the terrifying stories about Dr. Morris’s experiments ensure that the Abbey Bungalow remains an unsettling landmark in Uttarakhand’s rich and mysterious history.

FAQs about Abbey Bungalow, Uttarakhand

Where is Abbey Bungalow located?
Abbey Bungalow is situated on Abbott Mount in the Champawat district of Uttarakhand. It is approximately 15 kilometers from Lohaghat and offers stunning views of the Himalayan range.

What makes Abbey Bungalow a haunted place?
Abbey Bungalow is known for its eerie history, particularly its transformation into a hospital run by Dr. Morris, who was believed to predict patients’ deaths. Locals claim that Dr. Morris’s predictions were often followed by the patient’s death, leading to rumors that he may have killed them. The bungalow is now believed to be haunted by the souls of the deceased.

Who was Dr. Morris?
Dr. Morris was a doctor at the hospital in Abbey Bungalow during the early 20th century. He gained fame for his ability to predict the death of his patients, often sending them to a special ward called “Mukti Kothri” shortly before their passing. Many believe that Dr. Morris may have been involved in the deaths of the patients, although this remains a subject of local legend.

What is Mukti Kothri?
Mukti Kothri, meaning “Freedom Room,” was a special ward in the hospital where patients, who were predicted to die soon, were sent. The patients would pass away soon after entering this room, leading to speculation that they were either killed by Dr. Morris or died of natural causes, but the exact truth remains uncertain.

Is Abbey Bungalow safe to visit?
While some people visit Abbey Bungalow for its history and spooky reputation, it is advised not to go alone or after dark. The place is believed to be haunted by the souls of those who passed away under mysterious circumstances, and there are reports of strange occurrences and paranormal activities.

Can you visit Abbey Bungalow today?
Abbey Bungalow is now considered one of the most haunted places in Uttarakhand, and visiting it is not recommended unless you’re well-prepared for a supernatural experience. Many locals advise against visiting after sunset or when you’re alone.

What other attractions are near Abbey Bungalow?
Apart from the spooky Abbey Bungalow, Abbott Mount is known for its scenic beauty, offering breathtaking views of the Himalayas. The area is dotted with old colonial buildings, churches, and cemeteries, adding to its historical and eerie charm.

What are the other haunted places in Uttarakhand?
Uttarakhand is home to several other haunted locations, including the Lambi Dehar Mines, Savoy Hotel in Mussoorie, and the haunted house in Jabarkhet. Each of these places has its own mysterious history and eerie tales associated with them.

Why is Abbott Mount considered a haunted place?
Abbott Mount is believed to be haunted due to the supernatural occurrences surrounding Abbey Bungalow and the dark history tied to Dr. Morris and his patients. The area is thought to be a hotspot for paranormal activities, making it a favorite among ghost hunters and those fascinated by the unknown.

Is there any scientific evidence supporting the haunting claims?
There is no scientific evidence to confirm the paranormal activities at Abbey Bungalow. Most of the stories surrounding the place are based on local folklore, personal experiences, and mysterious events that have occurred over the years. Whether these claims are factual or merely the result of superstition remains unclear.