Mashhad Screaming Forest | Iran's Scariest Natural Wonder

Mashhad's Screaming Forest, known for its eerie sounds echoing through dense trees, intrigues visitors with its haunting atmosphere and mysterious allure. Known as one of the most terrifying forests in Iran, the Mashhad Screaming Forest is shrouded in mystery and intrigue. According to local legends, the forest is cursed and inhabited by jinn and demons. However, research suggests that the eerie screams heard at night are actually caused by local cicadas (known as chez or zanjira). Despite its terrifying reputation, the forest is a beautiful place filled with tall trees and diverse plants.

History of Mashhad Screaming Forest The Mashhad Screaming Forest, or "Jangal-e-Jigh ," has a unique and eerie history rooted in local legend and natural mystery. Located near the village of Sarbarj, this forest is associated with a river by the same name.

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Years ago, this river was full of water, but it eventually dried up, only flowing sporadically until 2011. Mysteriously, from that year onward, the river became consistently full and roaring once more. Shortly after the river returned to its full flow, strange, chilling screams began to echo through the forest at night. Locals attributed these eerie sounds to supernatural beings and believed the forest was cursed or haunted by jinn. The haunting tales quickly spread, with many claiming demons visit the forest at night to scream, cursing the land.

 

These legends have given Mashhad Screaming Forest a reputation as Iran’s most terrifying forest, attracting curiosity and fear alike. Mashhad Screaming Forest Local Legends The haunting sounds in Mashhad’s Screaming Forest have given rise to numerous tales and theories. The eerie screams that echo through the trees at night have sparked imaginations, making the forest a topic of fascination and mystery. Despite the forest's lush and picturesque appearance, stories of supernatural occurrences persist. One popular theory attributes the sounds to the wind. Locals say that when the wind blows through the trees and leaves, it creates an unusual whistling or "screaming" sound. But this explanation leaves questions: on calm nights, when there's no wind, how are these sounds still heard? And why were these eerie noises unheard of before 2011? Another theory suggests that the influx of locusts in the area after 2011, following the return of water to the Sarbarj River, might be the source of the sound. People say the locusts produce these strange noises at night. However, if locusts were the cause, one would expect signs of crop damage, yet there’s no evidence of this in the forest's vegetation. Some locals believe in more supernatural causes, claiming the forest is haunted. They say demons roam the forest at night, creating unsettling noises. Another tale speaks of a woman who was allegedly burned alive in the forest long ago; her spirit is said to wander, screaming for justice against her killer. Ref: Mashhad Screaming Forest | Iran's Scariest Natural Wonder