Bhubaneswar, Oct 3: As dusk descended, flocks of bats would flutter through the dark sky, while the eerie hoot of owls echoed from broken walls. Jackals and foxes emerged from abandoned rooms, and the rustling of wind through mango and jamun trees added to the eerie silence.
In the darkness, countless fireflies glowed around the deserted premises, creating an atmosphere that frightened people from venturing into the area after sunset.
Around 50 years ago, a dilapidated two-storey mansion stood opposite the Bhaskareswar Temple along the Kedar Gouri Road in Bhubaneswar. Known as Chhaya Nibas, the old building was believed to have been built around 150 years ago by a Bengali zamindar.
The zamindar and his family reportedly used the mansion as a summer retreat, enjoying the lush greenery surrounding the Kedar Gouri area. However, after Independence and the abolition of the zamindari system, the family stopped visiting the property.
Over the years, the mansion fell into disrepair. Large termite mounds appeared on the floors, moss covered the walls, while banyan and peepal trees grew across the structure. Snakes and scorpions were often seen inside the rooms.
With the building abandoned and surrounded by an eerie atmosphere, Chhaya Nibas gradually became known locally as a haunted house. Whether anyone actually saw a ghost remained uncertain, but few people were willing to enter the deserted mansion.
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Chhaya Nibas Attracted Filmmakers
Despite its reputation, the mysterious mansion caught the attention of filmmakers.
In 1979, Odia filmmaker Biswajit Das shot the mystery film Nijhum Ratira Sathi at Chhaya Nibas. Much of the filming took place at night. One of the memorable scenes featured the heroine, dressed in a white sari and carrying a candle, walking through the mansion's veranda.
Later, a Bengali horror film was also reportedly shot at the same location, further adding to the building's mysterious reputation.
From Haunted House to Busy Institution
The old mansion remained standing until 1992. The following year, a businessman from Cuttack reportedly purchased the property and demolished the dilapidated structure.
A new building was constructed there and completed in 1995. It was subsequently rented out to house a Plus Two Council office, transforming the once-deserted property into a busy place filled with activity.
Even then, stories surrounding the old premises continued. Security guards who worked night shifts reportedly claimed to have heard the sound of someone walking through the compound wearing anklets.
Today, a private educational institution stands on the site. Students, parents and staff now fill the premises, and the fear once associated with the old 'haunted mansion' has largely faded into memory.
What remains is the story of Chhaya Nibas -a forgotten mansion that once stood amid the quiet greenery of old Bhubaneswar, became associated with ghost stories, attracted filmmakers and eventually transformed into a bustling educational space.
