Most Haunted Place In Chennai De Monte Colony, Pattinapakkam

There is no lack of allegedly haunted locations in Chennai: from the Theosophical Society Campus and Broken Bridge in Adyar to Madras Christian College in Tambaram. But while most are quick to dismiss these eerie tales, there is one location that no local takes lightly: De Monte Colony. The secluded and nearly deserted area has captured the imagination; the spooky legends fueled by word-of-mouth horror stories and a feature-length horror film. So what is it that makes De Monte Colony the most ghostly district in Chennai?

A haunting from ages past

The tale of the De Monte Colony in Chennai begins with a wealthy Portuguese prince who established the initial settlement here. John De Monte lived with his wife, Mary, and owned several acres of land in what are now some of the most affluent areas in the city, including Moubray’s Garden, Greenways Road, and the Madras Club.

He was a devout Christian and a prosperous man for most of his lifetime. He was also credited with having built the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Kovalam, where he owned a weekend residence. But as with every compelling horror narrative, this one lacks happy endings.

According to verified reports, at some point during their residence here, De Monte’s wife suffered from a mental illness. Additionally, his son, who was raised in Europe, purportedly passed away at 22 on the brink of departing for India to join his father. These two tragedies left De Monte a sorrowful old man yearning for home.

Towards the end of his life, De Monte entrusted all of his properties to the care of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, and over time the lands were leased to various tenants. However, tales of the locality and its supposed curse due to De Monte’s misfortunes began circulating in the vicinity; enhanced by reported supernatural occurrences.

De Monte Colony today

A little over a decade ago, the rumors of specters in the vicinity prompted a mass departure of inhabitants, and the area now lies deserted and dilapidated. It has become a hub of criminal activity and antisocial conduct, potentially posing more danger to visitors than the alleged spirits.