It is said that the four white pillars called Char Khambe on the road in St. Cruz in Goa are haunted. Strange things seem to happen to cars passing them, with some even going as far as to claim that they are cursed.
On the Old Santa Cruz-Panjim road, now known as Vasantrao Dempo Marg, stand four white pillars known as Char Khambe, abandoned and forgotten among the rice fields of St. Cruz. Shrouded in mystery and a palpable sense of dread, these seemingly innocuous structures have gained a bad reputation as one of the most haunted places in Goa.
The four pillars of whitewashed minaret-style obelisks were built in 1896 to commemorate a Portuguese prince living in the colony of Goa. The prince was the son of the Duke of Porto, Afonso de Bragança. It also marked a line leading into the city, from where it was forbidden to walk bare-chested, and where all farmers dressed in kashti changed into something else.
Cursed pillars
The history of Char Khambe is unclear, with various accounts attempting to explain the haunting. Some suggest that the pillars mark the site of a tragic event or an unmarked burial site, awakening restless spirits.
Others believe that the pillars themselves are cursed, perhaps due to rituals or gloomy practices that have imbued the area with a lasting, malevolent energy.
One of the most common and disturbing phenomena recorded in Char Khambe is the sudden and mysterious breakdown of vehicles, especially motorcycles. Many motorcyclists became stuck near the pillars, their engines inexplicably stalling and refusing to restart. The darkness and isolation only escalate the feeling of helplessness, as attempts to repair vehicles often prove futile until dawn. This recurring issue has led to a widespread belief that the area is under a malevolent influence, deterring those who would otherwise travel this route at night.
It is also worth adding that there are several reports of cars being driven into poles. There is something cursed going on here or what will happen when pillars are placed in the road.
Ghostly figures around the pillars
The ominous atmosphere is enhanced by repeated reports of apparitions and ghostly figures appearing around the pillars. Witnesses describe seeing shadows that appeared out of nowhere and disappearing just as quickly, and heard strange screams at night.
On full moon nights, sightings become clearer and more numerous, and some claim to see full-bodied apparitions dressed in archaic clothing, wandering silently between the pillars.
There are also stories of a woman in a white sari asking for a ride from passing cars, which is the story of many other haunted road stories in India.
Reference:
The Four Silent Guardians of St. Cruz | Goa News – India Times
Image Source: Pixabay.com
