Haunted stories and tales of paranormal activity have always been an intriguing issue. Hauntings have been a part of our lives both consciously and sub-consciously.
Some skeptics say "seeing is believing". Historian and educator Daniel J. Boorstin said:
"We suffer primarily not from our vices or our weaknesses, but from our illusions. We are haunted, not by reality, but by those images we have put in their place."
But believers counter the saying, stating "some things cannot be seen, but can only be felt."
As children, the idea of horror dwelled on a stack of 'Goosebumps'-inflicting "R.L Stine" books and at least one place, home or area in the neighborhood which was rendered haunted. As we passed the age of innocence, the TV and the Internet took over our lives. We explored movies, websites, games and several documentaries on paranormal/supernatural happenings. We are all enticed by the aspect of the mystique, the unknown and the downright spooky.
Usually, a place is said to be haunted if some unusual conspicuous incidents happen out of the blue. The place gets an additional value depending on its elaborate history as well!
"In culture after culture, people believe that the soul lives on after death, that rituals can change the physical world and divine the truth, and that illness and misfortune are caused and alleviated by spirits, ghosts, saints ... and gods," Steven Pinker wrote in his book "How The Mind Works".
For ages now, the debate on fact versus fiction, and science versus philosophy has raised an unquenchable curiosity in the minds of people. To add to the ever-existing and undying inquisitiveness, here is a list of the most unusual haunted places on Earth:
