Our Research
Exploring the spectral undercurrents of India’s informal economies and urban imaginations
Exploring the spectral undercurrents of India’s informal economies and urban imaginations
Project Summary
The India Ghost Project is an ongoing interdisciplinary study of paranormal belief, informal economies, and ghost stories in India. Rooted in anthropology and development studies, it explores how hauntings, rituals, and supernatural practices persist—and evolve—within a rapidly urbanising society.
We aim to map the invisible structures—cultural, emotional, and economic—that shape India’s haunted landscape. Our work speaks to researchers in urban studies, religion, folklore, and South Asian society more broadly.
Methodology
We use a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative depth with quantitative reach. Our tools include:
Surveys
Online and in-person questionnaires on belief, spending, and demographics
In-depth Interviews
Conversations with ghost tour operators, spiritual workers, temple priests, business owners, and more
Ethnographic Fieldwork
On-site research at haunted locations, ghost-tour stops, and exorcism clinics
Economic & Policy Analysis
Studying informal markets linked to belief—tourism, healing, and ritual services
Media & Discourse Analysis
Exploring how the paranormal is portrayed in films, news, digital content, and ads
Crowdsourced Geotagging
Collecting public submissions of haunted sites to build an open-access, geospatial dataset
Outputs & Future Plans
We’re working towards:
Peer-reviewed publications and working papers
A public blog and knowledge archive
A national geotagged database of ghost stories
Conference talks and institutional collaborations
Community workshops and interdisciplinary events
Get Involved
We welcome collaborations with scholars, writers, and institutions interested in exploring the ghostly contours of Indian life.