Mid-day Special | What is ‘Dark Tourism’? How the Wayanad landslide in Kerala highlighted the eerie travel trend in India

Chennai-based Gopinath visited Guna Caves in Kodaikanal in the early 2000s as a child. It was long before the 2024 Malayalam film ‘Manjummel Boys' was released, but also definitely after the Kamal Hassan film, ‘Gunaa' was released in 1991. However, Gopinath was an unsuspecting child, who had only gone there sightseeing with his family and expected nothing more. He shares, "At that point, I wasn't aware of its dangerous history or the 16 recorded and multiple unrecorded disappearances in connection with the cave. However, I remember how petrifying the place looked and given the cold Kodaikanal weather, the chills were quite literal."

Ever since the Malayalam film was released in 2024, the 34-year-old says he has heard that a lot more people have been attracted to the site, and that is confirmed by quite a few media reports. Incidentally, as many as 13 people have died falling inside the cave, according to official figures by the Tamil Nadu government. The film, though, is about one man from Ernakulam Manjummel who fell into the cave in 2006 and was saved by his friends. Curiosity has got the better of many film buffs, who have gone to visit the site, even during the off-season, according to the very same reports.

Almost five months after the release, Kerala's Wayanad saw devastating landslides that left many dead and the state in shock as the death toll was over 200, according to several media reports, and many more injured. It was around this time that the Kerala Police tweeted to people saying, "Please avoid visiting disaster-hit areas for sightseeing as it hampers rescue efforts. For assistance, call 112," on ‘X'. Interestingly, ever since then, the term ‘dark tourism' has come to light.

Every year, World Tourism Day is celebrated on September 27, and while ‘spiritual tourism' has been a buzzword this year, the spotlight on ‘Dark Tourism' is hard to miss in retrospect of the recent tragedy in Kerala. Simply put, ‘dark tourism', also called ‘thanatourism', ‘morbid tourism' or ‘grief tourism' is the practice of visiting places that are associated with death, tragedy, or those that indicate human suffering. In recent times, Guna Caves can be considered as one of them in India, apart from the likes of the Jallianwala Bagh in Punjab, and Shaniwar Wada in Pune, among other popular tourist attractions.

Diving into India's ‘dark tourism' spots
Visibly, there is a thin line between dark tourism and sight-seeing a place of historical significance, Gopinath shares, "Visiting Kodaikanal and not going to Guna Caves is the equivalent of flying to Paris and not visiting the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre Museum. Ever since the Kamal Haasan-starrer, the cult classic Guna, came out in 1991, the caves have become an integral part of the hill's tourism checklist."

Gopinath, who is an avid traveller, adds, "Everyone who's been there would probably take a trip down history and learn about how it was initially called ‘Devil's Kitchen' before the titular film was shot there. When I went, I faintly remember how we were not allowed beyond a point and all we could see was a huge drop where the film was said to be shot. I remember how a local, who took us to the place, said what an ordeal it would have been for the makers of the film to send down the heavy equipment needed to shoot the film."

The Guna Caves are not the only tryst that Gopinath has had with ‘Dark Tourism' in Kodaikanal. He narrates, "There are not many people who have heard of this mysterious forest in the hill station named ‘Mathikettan Shola National Park' (man with a confused brain). There is an urban legend that no one who has entered the forest has come out alive and there is a myth that those who enter there end up getting disoriented and demented. As a lover of movies, an additional piece of trivia is that Haasan's ‘Guna' was originally titled ‘Mathikettan Solai'."

Beyond Kodaikanal and even before the term became popular, Gopinath has coincidentally also visited the Cellular Jail, known as ‘Kala Paani', in Port Blair, and the Tower in London -- both known for their respective histories and tragedies. However, the experience at the jail left a lasting impression on him. Having gone to the jail in 2019, he says, "They have maintained the jails quite well and it was quite surreal to see it in person. I remember touching the walls and wondering what these walls would tell if they could speak about the terrible happenings that they witnessed all those years back. The part of the experience that blew me away was how massive the entire complex is and how deviously the buildings were planned and constructed. The building had seven wings, and the spokes were designed in a way that the face of a cell in a spoke saw the back of cells in another spoke, so that the prisoners could be prevented from communicating with each other."

Amazed by the experience, he says there is even a camp now that doubles as a museum and also shows the various methods by which the inmates were tortured. "One of the main reasons I visited this place was one of my all-time favourite historical dramas, the Malayalam film ‘Kaalapani' was shot here. The attraction now has guided tours and a sound-and-light show but those who want to experience the building for what it was, should just stroll down its corridors as one might almost hear the cries of those whose lives ended here," he adds.

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Using ‘Dark Tourism' to educate people

Even as one would question his coincidental visits and fascination with ‘dark tourism', Gopinath questions whether dark tourism is simply just another version of history. It is a thought that even Thomson Sequeira, a city-based fashion and travel content creator has when thinking about ‘dark tourism'. At a time when content creators are facing a lot of flak for their insensitivity towards tourist attractions or even posing with the inevitable selfie stick, he says there can be a positive side to ‘dark tourism' too. He explains, "If they are creating informative content, then it is the perfect place for making more people aware about what happened or the history of the place, then dark tourism works in that favour." However, Thomson quickly adds that if content creators, also known as travel influencers, as doing it for fun, then there is a very good chance that it will backfire, because that may not fare well with many people.

Being a travel influencer for over five years now, the Mumbaikar has primarily focused on showcasing destinations through their luxurious properties, but if given a chance, he wants to do more. "I would love to explore such places and talk about it. Travel shouldn't only be from the fun perspective because it can be educational or historically focussed too, especially at a time when the history of a place or the people who died there is ignored or fading away in the name of development and beautification," he adds.

Avalon Consulting, a strategy and management consulting firm with over 30 years of experience in operating within various fields including travel, has also seen the increasing shift of people gravitating towards 'dark tourism'. Premchand Chandrasekharan, a partner with the firm, explains, " In India, a surge in tourists visiting disaster-prone regions like Uttarakhand, even in the aftermath of floods, reflects this growing phenomenon, and it is no different for Guna Caves after the film released. Internationally there is a parallel in terms of historical tragedy-focused tourism. For example, people visiting Holocaust sites or slave trade sites. So, it is not entirely novel, but the nuance in recent times seems to be a trend to visit the sites of very recent tragedies or disasters."

Engaging in responsible ‘Dark Tourism'

However, Premchand believes there is more to dark tourism than just their eerie experience, history, and education. He further explains, "As interest in ‘Dark Tourism' continues to grow, one must not forget the need for ethical considerations and local community support to ensure these visits contribute positively to the region rather than merely capitalising on tragedy-related social media highs."

It is a valid observation that even Thomson makes and is not limited to just content creators but also visitors. "India has considerable potential for historical dark tourism, with destinations like the Cellular Jail in Port Blair and Jallianwala Bagh in Amritsar being top of my mind. The motivation for visitors could be keenness to learn about the country's complex past and rich cultural legacy," adds Premchand, continuing, "It is critical to remember to strike a balance between satisfying tourists's curiosity and respecting the sanctity of these sites, ensuring that dark tourism in India remains a thoughtful and meaningful experience for all involved."

It is no wonder then that Gopinath also chimes in to say, "Given how we have, in just the recent months, seen many people lose their lives over taking selfies in dangerous locations or shooting a reel for their social media, it's better to treat such places famous for dark tourism with additional caution. Not everyone is a Subash to survive a fall down the Guna Caves."

Fascination with ‘Dark Tourism' and its effects

Even as the likes of mindful tourists such as Gopinath have visited known for death and suffering, and travel influencers like Thomson would like to explore the other side of it, there is more to it. What attracts people to places of ‘Dark Tourism'? Mehezabin Dordi, clinical psychologist, at Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Mumbai, explains, "People are often drawn for several reasons. One primary motivation is curiosity. Humans have been known to have a natural interest in the morbid or unknown, and dark tourism provides a safe way to explore these themes."

Beyond the curiosity, she says ‘dark tourism' can also offer an opportunity for reflection on mortality and human suffering, creating a deeper understanding of historical events. "For some, dark tourism may also satisfy a sense of thrill, much like horror movies or extreme sports. There is also an educational element, as visiting places like concentration camps or disaster sites help people connect with history and the consequences of human actions," she adds.

Moreover, Dr Sonal Anand, a psychiatrist at Wockhardt Hospitals in Mira Road, adds that visiting sites associated with death, suffering, or disaster facilitates a deeper understanding of human experiences, their misery, and their condition. She explains, "Dark tourism is also believed to help with empathy-building. For example, the visitor at a site where an earthquake occurred or a tsunami a battlefield or even a memorial may induce a feeling of profound emotional response, transforming tragedy into tangible reality. This engagement helps cultivate awareness and sensitivity towards the events that have left lasting impacts on societies and claimed lives." It can help people to process the trauma and help with new learnings, she says, adding that it is believed to give a better understanding of the situation instead of just reading in the book.

While there are many different kinds of experiences, emotions and learnings, it may also leave a lasting impression on many people who come face-to-face with such macabre sites. So, how does it affect a person? "This type of tourism tends to trigger a wide range of emotions such as anxiety, stress, trauma, pain, panic, and nervousness. The person can feel extremely uncomfortable as it can be unsettling to know about the history of the particular place wherein many people have lost their precious lives. Exposure to dark places can cause emotional exhaustion and one will experience psychological vulnerability. The people who visit dark places may have some coping issues. It is not only this, but tourists can experience a sense of danger and fear, often, mixed with excitement," explains Dr Sonal.

Mehezabin adds, "Dark tourism can have psychological effects that are both positive and negative. On one hand, it can lead to emotional reflection, growth, and a heightened sense of empathy. Some people may find a sense of catharsis or emotional release when confronting painful or tragic events in a controlled setting. For many, it is purely the possibility of being able to emotionally absorb oneself in a place of tragedy. People need to engage and immerse themselves in history and culture. By visiting dark tourism sites, we can give ourselves time to reflect on history. Dark tourism has close ties with educational tourism." However, she says, dark tourism can also be emotionally overwhelming, especially if the person visiting has a personal connection to the tragedy or is sensitive to distressing stimuli. Apart from Dr Sonal's observations, she says it might evoke feelings of sadness or even trauma, particularly when the experience is immersive or particularly graphic.

Approach ‘dark tourism' with caution

With so many different kinds of emotions, there also entails a word of caution, especially for those who might be seeking the thrill of ‘dark tourism' but also suffer from mental health issues. The Mumbai-based psychiatrist is quick to state, "People with mental health issues, particularly those who are dealing with depression, PTSD, or anxiety, might need to approach dark tourism with caution. Exposure to tragic or disturbing themes may exacerbate their symptoms or trigger past traumas. While some might find it cathartic, others may feel distressed or unsettled after the experience."

It is also why the Mumbai mental health expert believes that it is important for individuals with mental health concerns to assess their emotional state before engaging in dark tourism and consider whether they have the coping mechanisms in place to handle the psychological impact. If in doubt, consulting with a mental health professional is advisable before planning such a trip.

On the other hand, Dr Sonal is quite direct with her approach because she says, "It will be better for those struggling with problems such as anxiety, depression, or stress to avoid visiting dark places." It is simply because visiting such places can aggravate fear, anxiety, and trauma by stealing one's mental peace. The fact that Dark Tourism can also trigger those psychological scars that one is trying to forget is another reason. Understandably, she has a solution. "In such cases, it is better to opt for positive places such as natural heritages and monuments. Remember, any travel experience should not impact your mental well-being instead it should make you feel good, motivate you, and make the trip memorable," she concludes.

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