25 GB Bungalow Bonacaud — the shadow-haunted colonial estate near Trivandrum

The 25 GB Bungalow at Bonacaud near Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), Kerala, is a former British colonial bungalow located deep in the forests of the Agasthyamalai hills. The bungalow, which served as a rest house for colonial officials and is now a destination for trekkers and adventure seekers, is considered one of Kerala's most haunted locations. The paranormal activity is particularly associated with shadow figures — dark, human-shaped entities that have been reported by visitors who camp near or inside the bungalow. These shadows are seen moving independently of any light source, appearing to pass through walls, and occasionally approaching sleeping visitors. Other phenomena include unexplained sounds in the surrounding forest, the feeling of being watched from the treeline, and electrical equipment failing inside the bungalow. The bungalow's remote location in the Western Ghats — one of the world's most biodiverse regions, with dense tropical forest and no mobile phone coverage — means visitors are genuinely isolated when they encounter the phenomena. In Kerala's folk tradition, forests are inhabited by mala devatha (forest spirits) and other entities that are generally benign if respected but can become threatening to those who disrespect the natural environment.