A neglected & abandoned house in DeMonte Colony is Chennai’s latest claim to notoriety

2015 Kollywood movie DeMonte Colony has succeeded in creating a mystery around an abandoned house in Chennai’s posh and prestigious Alwarpet neighbourhood.

The plot of the movie is centered on a series of inexplicable paranormal activities in the house, which are attributed to the vengeful spirit of the original inhabitant — Mr John DeMonte, a Portuguese businessman, in the 1800s. The movie was a box-office hit and has unwittingly set off horror tourism amongst adventure seeking youngsters.

What makes up this spooky tale centred on this house is a heady concoction of a slew of ghost stories and the historical basis to the tale. There are many who aver to have seen streetlights flickering without a reason in the nights, or the instance of a security guard found dead, or doors opening and shutting suddenly to a noisy blast.

Venkatesh, a third year student at Eswari Engineering College is one of those people.

“We have heard a lot about this place but only after seeing the movie we decided to visit DeMonte Colony late in the night,” he said. Venkatesh feels safer to visit the place in the boisterous company of six friends on their bikes.

DeMonte Colony is named after a wealthy Portuguese businessman who resided in the house in the 1800s. He is believed to have lived a tortuous life as he lost his son on a sea voyage from France to Chennai when weather suddenly turned violent and overturned the ship. On hearing the tragic news, his wife lost her mind, according to the legend. Mr. John De Monte himself died in 1821.

Following the success of the movie, these spooky stories have started to resurface.

The neighbours however dismiss these spooky events and attribute the rumours to the house’s dilapidation and neglect. They explain with a ring of indignation, “There have been no residents in the house for over a decade, the walls are crumbling and the grass has grown wild. And all this fuss over cockroaches, rats and snakes!”

As per John DeMonte’s last testament the entire property was willed to the Church. They rented out the premises but have not been able to finalize a tenant for a decade, which is probably why these horror tales became a subject of gossip.

The movie unfortunately attracts a motley crowd to this house at Alwarpet. Anti-social elements who drink and abuse, and party revellers have made this neighbourhood their favourite hangout spot. As a result a wall has been constructed, the gates have been locked and police patrol has restored a semblance of peace.

However, if you ask the neighbours whether they are afraid of staying in the proximity of this ‘haunted’ spot, they disclaim, “Not from ghosts but more likely from snakes and these nuisance makers.”

Whatever be the truth of this house in De Monte colony, it is sadly associated with primal fear. It is a pity that such a property in a prime location is burdened with such a shady reputation.

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