Khaba Fort and Abandoned Village
A 13th-century frontier fort and abandoned village in Rajasthan's Thar Desert, steeped in mystery and haunting beauty.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Safer and better for exploration
Khaba Fort and Abandoned Village
Best Time
Safer and better for exploration
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A 13th-century frontier fort and abandoned village in Rajasthan's Thar Desert, steeped in mystery and haunting beauty.
"Khaba Fort offers a hauntingly beautiful experience, a poignant reminder of time's passage and enduring historical mysteries."
🚗 Fuel Up Before You Go
The route is isolated; ensure your vehicle has enough fuel. Services are very limited. :fuel_pump:
☀️ Visit During Daylight
Avoid visiting near or after sunset due to the lonely route and lack of facilities. :sunrise:
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Abandoned Village Ruins
Adjoining the fort
Explore the crumbling homes of the Paliwal Brahmins, a poignant glimpse into a community's mysterious exodus.
Khaba Fort Architecture
The fort itself
Marvel at the 13th-century yellow sandstone fort, once a frontier outpost with intricate carvings.
Desert Vistas & Wildlife
From the fort ramparts
Enjoy breathtaking views of the Thar Desert and spot numerous peacocks and pigeons.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Timing is Everything: Daylight Visits Recommended
Embrace the Mystery: A Quiet Exploration
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 Fuel Up Before You Go
The route is isolated; ensure your vehicle has enough fuel. Services are very limited. :fuel_pump:
☀️ Visit During Daylight
Avoid visiting near or after sunset due to the lonely route and lack of facilities. :sunrise:
📸 Perfect for Photography
The ruins and desert landscapes offer stunning, atmospheric shots. Golden hour is magical. :camerawithflash:
🚶♀️ Explore the Village
Don't just see the fort; wander through the abandoned homes for a deeper historical experience. :walking:
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 Fuel Up Before You Go
The route is isolated; ensure your vehicle has enough fuel. Services are very limited. :fuel_pump:
☀️ Visit During Daylight
Avoid visiting near or after sunset due to the lonely route and lack of facilities. :sunrise:
📸 Perfect for Photography
The ruins and desert landscapes offer stunning, atmospheric shots. Golden hour is magical. :camerawithflash:
🚶♀️ Explore the Village
Don't just see the fort; wander through the abandoned homes for a deeper historical experience. :walking:
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Khaba Fort is praised for its haunting beauty, historical mystery, and photographic potential, offering a unique glimpse into an abandoned village. Visitors appreciate the quiet, unspoiled atmosphere and the chance to explore ancient ruins. However, the isolated location and lack of amenities require careful planning.
"I visited this place back in 2021 with family, and there's an interesting story behind how we ended up here accidently.
Actually, we were going to the Kuldhara village from the Sam dunes, and while on the route to Kuldhara, we accidentally took a wrong turn and that wrong turn led us to this place. Sometimes, wrong turns really do take you to beautiful places.
But just to note the route to this khaba fort is quite lonely and feels scary. You barely see any people or cars around, so it's definitely not recommended to visit this place near sunset and absolutely not after sunset. It’s much better to visit during daylight hours with proper fuel in your vehicle.
Very few tourists come here because it is not promoted socially. Most people just visit Kuldhara, Tanot Mata Mandir, the border, and then head back.
But this place, Khaba Fort, is honestly worth a quick stop. It’s not a big fort or anything, but it’s amazing in its own way, made out of yellow stones and full of a quiet charm.
So yeah, that’s a short review of Khaba Fort."
Ronak Mehta
"Khaba Fort in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is a historic site, once part of Kuldhara, a village inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins. The fort, dating back to the 13th century, served as a frontier fort (Sarai Fort) for traders entering Rajasthan via the Silk Route. It was abandoned around 200 years ago under mysterious circumstances. The ruins of the fort, including the homes of 80 families, reveal a well-planned settlement with a temple, and the homes lack roofs"
prathamesh wagh
"Another hauntingly beautiful abandoned village of Rajasthan. Khaba fort is an ideal place which makes you think about the expanse of the villages which were vacated whatever the reason was. It makes us wonder as to how can an entire community just decide and execute mass exodus in a single night that no one knows. There are many such places in & around Jaisalmer which has been abandoned."
Bindya Balakrishnan
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Khaba Fort is located about 30-40 km from Jaisalmer. The best way to reach it is by private car or taxi. The route is quite isolated, so ensure your vehicle is in good condition and has sufficient fuel. It's advisable to start your journey well before sunset.
The road is generally safe during daylight hours, but it is quite lonely with minimal traffic. Travelers recommend visiting during the day and avoiding late afternoons or evenings.
Public transport options are very limited for Khaba Fort. Hiring a private taxi or car from Jaisalmer is the most practical and recommended way to visit.
The best time to visit is during daylight hours, especially in the late afternoon when the light is soft and ideal for photography. Avoid visiting near sunset or after dark due to the isolated location.
No, the route to Khaba Fort is largely undeveloped with very few facilities. It's crucial to carry sufficient water, snacks, and ensure your vehicle has enough fuel before you depart from Jaisalmer.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Currently, there is no mention of entry fees or tickets required for Khaba Fort. It's generally accessible as an abandoned historical site.
As an abandoned site, Khaba Fort does not have official opening or closing hours. However, it is strongly recommended to visit only during daylight hours for safety reasons.
Khaba Fort is an ancient, abandoned site and is not actively maintained in the way a living fort would be. It retains its historical charm through its ruins.
Yes, you can explore the ruins of the abandoned village freely. It's a key part of the experience, offering a glimpse into the lives of the former inhabitants.
No, there is no visitor center or formal facilities at Khaba Fort. It's a raw, historical site.
📸 📸 Photography
The crumbling yellow sandstone walls, the desolate village lanes, and the panoramic desert views from the fort ramparts are excellent for photography. The late afternoon light creates a magical atmosphere.
While drone regulations can vary, the open desert landscape around Khaba Fort offers potential for aerial shots. However, always check local regulations before flying a drone.
Khaba Fort is ideal for architectural, historical, landscape, and atmospheric photography. Its abandoned nature lends itself to moody and evocative shots.
Yes, visitors often report seeing numerous peacocks and pigeons around Khaba Fort, making it a good spot for casual wildlife photography.
The 'golden hour' during late afternoon provides the most beautiful, soft light that enhances the yellow stone and desert landscape.
🎫 🤔 History & Mystery
Khaba Fort dates back to the 13th century and served as a frontier fort for traders. It was part of the larger Kuldhara village, inhabited by Paliwal Brahmins, and was mysteriously abandoned around 200 years ago.
The exact reason for the mass exodus of the Paliwal Brahmins from Khaba Fort and the surrounding village remains a mystery, adding to its haunting allure. Theories range from water scarcity to social or political reasons.
The Paliwal Brahmins were a community known for their agricultural prowess and prosperity. They inhabited villages like Kuldhara and Khaba before their mysterious abandonment.
While not officially designated as haunted, the abandoned nature and mysterious past of Khaba Fort lend it an eerie and mysterious atmosphere, often sparking such discussions.
You can see the ruins of homes, a temple, and the fort structure, which reveal a well-planned settlement. The homes are roofless, adding to the desolate charm.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Key recommendations: Visit during the day, keep children close, and use the visit as a storytelling opportunity about ancient communities and desert life. The open spaces are good for letting kids roam a bit, but always supervise them closely.
📸 Photographers
Tips for photographers: Arrive in the late afternoon to capture the best light. Focus on details like crumbling walls, doorways, and the textures of the stone. The presence of peacocks and pigeons can add a dynamic element to your photos. Remember to bring extra batteries and memory cards, as you'll likely spend a good amount of time capturing the site's unique charm.
🚶♂️ History Buffs & Introspective Travelers
Experience highlights: Explore the remnants of the 13th-century fort and the 80-family village. Ponder the reasons behind the sudden abandonment by the Paliwal Brahmins. The lack of commercialization allows for an authentic, undisturbed experience of history.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Enigmatic Abandonment of Khaba
Walking through the ruins, you can still see the remnants of a well-planned settlement, including homes, a temple, and the fort itself. The homes, with their distinctive yellow sandstone architecture, are roofless, adding to the desolate beauty. This abandonment makes Khaba Fort a poignant reminder of time's passage and the enduring mysteries of history, offering a stark contrast to the bustling Jaisalmer Fort.
For visitors, this mystery is a significant part of the attraction. It invites contemplation about the lives of those who once lived there and the circumstances that led to their departure. It’s a place that sparks imagination and offers a unique historical perspective unlike any other in the region.
Photography at Khaba Fort: Capturing the Atmosphere
The best time for photography is undoubtedly during the golden hours – early morning and late afternoon. The low-angle sunlight casts long shadows and bathes the ruins in a warm, ethereal glow, enhancing the textures and details. The vast expanse of the Thar Desert surrounding the fort also provides a stunning backdrop, especially when captured from the fort's ramparts. Keep an eye out for the local peacocks and pigeons, which can add a splash of color and life to your shots.
When composing your shots, focus on the interplay of light and shadow, the architectural details of the ruins, and the sense of scale against the desert landscape. The absence of crowds here is a major advantage, allowing you to capture the solitude and quiet grandeur of the site without interruption.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit