Culture / 7 Characters In Desi Folklore That Put Halloween Spooks To Shame

7 Characters In Desi Folklore That Put Halloween Spooks To Shame

Culture Oct 31, 2024

by Kiran R. Khan | Features Editor - Lifestyle

Happy Halloween, everyone! The night is alive with things that go bump, shadows that linger a bit too long, and that unmistakable creak from the floorboards that sounds suspiciously haunted. While you’re out carving pumpkins and handing out candy, let’s journey to South Asia, where supernatural creatures bring a whole new level of thrill to the season. Think your haunted house has issues? South Asia’s ghosts and ghouls would make your apartment’s little disturbances look like amateur hour. Buckle up for some stories that might have you laughing and glancing over your shoulder all at once.

Chudail – The OG Ghostly Girlboss (Literally)

Ghouls, Giggles, and Ghostly Tales: A South Asian Halloween Adventure – Chudail. Photo Credit: https://mythologyvault.com/

Meet the Chudail, the original supernatural girlboss with killer looks and… backward feet. Yep, you read that right! With hair so fabulous it could star in a shampoo commercial and a sultry stare that could stop you in your tracks (literally, if her feet don’t give you a hint), she’s South Asia’s answer to a vengeful femme fatale. Legend has it that once a village woman was wronged by a man who betrayed her trust. After her untimely death, she returned as a Chudail, haunting men who treated women poorly. One fateful night, a disrespectful youth stumbled into her territory, only to find himself frozen in place as she approached, her backward feet making it clear he was in for a lesson he’d never forget. So, if you see someone looking your way in the dead of night, check if their feet are pointing in the same direction as yours—trust us, they shouldn’t be!

Jinn – The Trickster Spirit Next Door

Ghouls, Giggles, and Ghostly Tales: A South Asian Halloween Adventure – Jinn. Photo Credit: https://www.buzzfeednews.com/

Think ghosts and goblins are scary? Meet the Jinn, the sneaky spirit who’s been haunting abandoned buildings and maybe even your neighbour’s backyard. Jinn are as unpredictable as they come—they could help you out, or they might just decide to mess with you for laughs. One famous tale tells of a traveler lost in the desert who encountered a Jinn. Desperate, he yelled for help, only to have the Jinn tease him by shifting the sand around him. It was only when he humbly apologized and asked for guidance that the Jinn decided to show him the way home, leaving the traveler with a newfound respect for the unseen. So, if you hear mysterious sounds or feel an inexplicable chill tonight, maybe give a respectful nod. They’re the guests you never see coming.

Vetala – The Zombie Riddle Master

Ghouls, Giggles, and Ghostly Tales: A South Asian Halloween Adventure – Vetala. Photo Credit: https://arsgoetiademons.com/

Say hello to the Vetala, South Asia’s ancient zombie with a brainy twist. These spirits don’t just hang out in graveyards for show—they possess corpses and throw riddles at anyone brave enough to cross their path. One infamous tale follows King Vikram, who was tasked with capturing a Vetala hanging from a tree. Every time Vikram thought he had it cornered, the Vetala would escape, taunting him with riddles about life and death. “What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon, and three in the evening?” After hours of chasing and riddle-solving, Vikram finally caught the Vetala, only to be trapped in an eternal game of wits! So tonight, bring your brainpower, and if a Vetala starts quizzing you, you’d better hope it’s multiple choice.

Pishach – The Party-Crashing Ghoul with Prime Real Estate

Ghouls, Giggles, and Ghostly Tales: A South Asian Halloween Adventure – Pishach. Photo Credit: https://oldworldgods.com/

The Pishach is the life of the party—if by “party” you mean lurking in the dark and feeding on fear (and maybe you). These flesh-eating ghouls have even claimed riverside property in India: Pisach Ghat on the banks of the Ganges is said to be a popular midnight hangout. A chilling story goes that a group of friends decided to test their bravery by visiting the Ghat at midnight. As they laughed and joked, one of them noticed a shadowy figure lurking nearby, eyeing them like a midnight snack. They took one look at the pale face and ran like the wind, knowing they’d narrowly escaped being the main course! So, if you find yourself near a shadowy riverside tonight, best to “nope” your way out before this ghoul eyes you up as the next guest at their ghostly dinner party.

The Lady of the Banyan Tree – South Asia’s Own Tree Hugger (Sort Of)

Ghouls, Giggles, and Ghostly Tales: A South Asian Halloween Adventure – The Lady of the Banyan Tree. Photo Credit: https://unsplash.com/

Forget haunted houses; in South Asia, it’s haunted banyan trees you want to avoid. This mysterious Lady in White is said to guard these trees, enticing curious travelers who wander too close. There’s an eerie tale of a group of friends who dared each other to visit a banyan tree at midnight. One of them, drawn by an inexplicable urge, stepped closer and caught a glimpse of her. He later recounted that her gaze felt like it could see right through him, rendering him utterly paralyzed. The others had to drag him away, fearing he might never return. So if you’re near a banyan tree tonight, maybe keep a safe distance. After all, she’s got her tree, and you’ve got… anywhere else to be.

Nishi – The Name-Calling Night Phantom

Ghouls, Giggles, and Ghostly Tales: A South Asian Halloween Adventure – Nishi. Photo Credit: https://folklorechronicles.com/

From Bengal comes the trickster spirit, the Nishi, who loves nothing more than calling your name from the darkness. Imagine walking home alone, hearing a voice that sounds exactly like your best friend’s, calling you to join them. Tempting, right? But answering a Nishi’s call could lead to a vanishing act. One old tale tells of a man who heard his mother’s voice in the dead of night. He turned to follow it, only to vanish without a trace until the morning, when he reappeared, shaken but unharmed. So tonight, if you hear someone calling, just keep walking and avoid saying “yes” to anyone who isn’t standing right in front of you!

Pret – The Hangry Ghost with Attachment Issues

Ghouls, Giggles, and Ghostly Tales: A South Asian Halloween Adventure – Pret. Photo Credit: https://www.secret-retreats.com/

Finally, meet the Pret, the eternally hangry ghost stuck with some serious attachment issues. These spirits are often depicted as wandering around in search of the things they couldn’t have in life. One story tells of a woman who, in life, was obsessed with cooking but died before she could achieve her culinary dreams. Now she haunts kitchens, forever craving the dishes she never got to finish. South Asian cultures make food offerings to keep Prets appeased, often leaving sweets or bread outside. So, while you’re snacking on candy tonight, maybe leave a little out for any Prets nearby. They may just need something sweet to help them move on!

And there you have it—some of South Asia’s most thrilling (and occasionally ridiculous) supernatural legends to add a sacred chill to your Halloween! These aren’t just spooky tales; they carry deeper meanings about justice, karma, and respect for the supernatural. Besides, South Asia’s spirits have a work-life balance most of us could aspire to: they’re both feared and respected, and they manage to keep you guessing.

So tonight, as you hand out candy and share spooky stories, keep an eye out for backward feet, voices in the dark, and trees that seem a bit too welcoming. And remember, somewhere in South Asia, there’s probably a ghost holding off on their haunting until the morning or a demon attending their monthly neighborhood council. And if you hear a knock on your door, maybe check their feet first—just to be safe. Happy haunting, everyone!

Main Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/

Kiran R. Khan | Features Editor - Lifestyle

Author

Kiran R. Khan (@kiranrkhanandco) is a journalism graduate from Sheridan College, possesses an extensive freelance portfolio encompassing various topics, including lifestyle posts and profile stories. Kiran loves to craft engaging content that resonates with readers, aiming to leave a lasting impress...

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