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In honour of spooky season and Halloween Eve, here are ten supernatural entities from South Asian folklore:
1. Bhoot
Bhoots are your everyday common spirits of the deceased that are trapped in our realm. They result from someone who died a death that was extremely violent, or someone who died during a process that they didn’t see the outcome of (ie. childbirth, constructions, etc.)
Bhoots are your everyday common spirits of the deceased that are trapped in our realm. They result from someone who died a death that was extremely violent, or someone who died during a process that they didn’t see the outcome of (ie. childbirth, constructions, etc.)
Bhoot literally means “past” in Sanskrit. Bhoots live out their recent past and try to find fulfilment or revenge. They’ll often try to accomplish this by possessing someone who will obsess over the bhoot’s goal. This is where the idiom “bhoot swaar hoiaa” comes from.
Bhoots are said to fear natural substances like water, pure soil, and salt. They also stay away from pure iron. According to folk belief, they form due to improper last rites. So some people believe that the best way to get rid of a bhoot is by holding a proper funeral prayer.
2. Chudail
A chudail is often referred to as a witch, but she is actually a revenant of a vengeful woman who died a traumatic or tragic death without getting her revenge.
Chudails are completely human like except for one detail: they’re feet are backwards.
A chudail is often referred to as a witch, but she is actually a revenant of a vengeful woman who died a traumatic or tragic death without getting her revenge.
Chudails are completely human like except for one detail: they’re feet are backwards.
They cling to trees and lure men (especially those who prey on women) away from their paths. The chudail will then suck the man’s life force, leaving him a frail old man.
In Punjab they’re known as Pichal Pehris as they only come out in the pichla pehr (second half) of the day.
In Punjab they’re known as Pichal Pehris as they only come out in the pichla pehr (second half) of the day.
Chudails who died during childbirth will also prey on children, thinking that the little ones are their own.
Not all are malevolent though. In Hindu and Buddhist tradition, some chudails will serve the Goddess Kali as Dakinis, and assist in killing malevolent beings.
Not all are malevolent though. In Hindu and Buddhist tradition, some chudails will serve the Goddess Kali as Dakinis, and assist in killing malevolent beings.
3. Jinn
According to Islamic belief, Jinn are beings created from smokeless fire. They predate the creation of humankind, & live amongst us. They’re not inherently good or evil - they live on free will like us. They have their own communities and they come from varied religions.
According to Islamic belief, Jinn are beings created from smokeless fire. They predate the creation of humankind, & live amongst us. They’re not inherently good or evil - they live on free will like us. They have their own communities and they come from varied religions.
Jinns have the power to possess human beings, and human beings can also control jinn through through magic.
@aaolomi has some extremely fascinating threads about jinns on his Twitter. Y’all should definitely go give it a read if it’s something that interests you!
@aaolomi has some extremely fascinating threads about jinns on his Twitter. Y’all should definitely go give it a read if it’s something that interests you!
4. Dayan
A Dayan is the closest thing to the western concept of a witch. She’s a psuedo-human/pseudo-demonic being who holds spiritual powers to hurt people, but she also utilizes black magic to hurt people.
She holds her power in her braid, which she will protect at all costs.
A Dayan is the closest thing to the western concept of a witch. She’s a psuedo-human/pseudo-demonic being who holds spiritual powers to hurt people, but she also utilizes black magic to hurt people.
She holds her power in her braid, which she will protect at all costs.
A chudail is not a dayan as a chudail becomes one against her own will. A dayan chooses to be a dayan and has full control and will over her actions.
She lives off of misery and torment, and will use jadoo toona to inflict pain on her victims.
She lives off of misery and torment, and will use jadoo toona to inflict pain on her victims.
She chooses victims without rhyme or reason so anyone can fall prey to her.
The best way to end her path or destruction is by finding a way to cut off her braid, which will drain all her energy.
The best way to end her path or destruction is by finding a way to cut off her braid, which will drain all her energy.
5. Ichhadhari Naag/Naagin
Snakes hold special spiritual powers in South Asian/Hindu folklore. They appear as aids of Hindu deities, and even have their own realm called Naaglok. Some snakes are shapeshifters and can take on (dhaar) a human form if they so desire (ichhaa).
Snakes hold special spiritual powers in South Asian/Hindu folklore. They appear as aids of Hindu deities, and even have their own realm called Naaglok. Some snakes are shapeshifters and can take on (dhaar) a human form if they so desire (ichhaa).
An ichhadhari naag/naagin will assume human form in two conditions. The first is if their mate was killed. They will exact revenge on the person who killed their spouse.
The second is to protect the Naagmani. The Naagmani is a legendary gem that is kept in naaglok and grants...
The second is to protect the Naagmani. The Naagmani is a legendary gem that is kept in naaglok and grants...
...any human who possesses it control over the whole world.
Knowing the evil that can arise from that, Naags keep this gem hidden and will assume human form to fight off anyone who tries to steal it.
Knowing the evil that can arise from that, Naags keep this gem hidden and will assume human form to fight off anyone who tries to steal it.
6. Pret
A pret is the ghost of a human who died with immense attachment to physical objects. They’re cursed to roam the earth with an immense insatiable hunger as punishment for a fruitless life spent being miserly over their possessions rather than being charitable.
A pret is the ghost of a human who died with immense attachment to physical objects. They’re cursed to roam the earth with an immense insatiable hunger as punishment for a fruitless life spent being miserly over their possessions rather than being charitable.
Prets are also found in Chinese tradition and are known as “Hungry Ghosts.”
A pret is a soul going through torment as a form of punishment, and will eventually move on in the cycle of reincarnation.
A pret is a soul going through torment as a form of punishment, and will eventually move on in the cycle of reincarnation.
7. Pisaach
A pisaach is the closest thing to demons in Western folklore. Pisaach are malevolent beings that live off blood and human flesh.
They’re repulsed by anything sacred so the best shield from them is prayer.
A pisaach is the closest thing to demons in Western folklore. Pisaach are malevolent beings that live off blood and human flesh.
They’re repulsed by anything sacred so the best shield from them is prayer.
8. Yaksh/Yakshini
Yaksh and Yakshini are nature spirits, a lot like sprites or fairies. They’re not inherently malevolent by nature, but some will try to lure men or women into their trap and try to seduce them while feeding off their life force.
Yaksh and Yakshini are nature spirits, a lot like sprites or fairies. They’re not inherently malevolent by nature, but some will try to lure men or women into their trap and try to seduce them while feeding off their life force.
They’ll appear as attractive men or women by day, but at night will secretly feed off their spouse in their true form and will kill anyone who sees their true form.
9. Brahmrakshas
A brahmrakshas is a revenant Brahmin who died while abusing his power and knowledge. He is cursed to roam the planet and they only food he can consume is human flesh. Proper funerary rites are needed to liberate a brahmrakshas.
A brahmrakshas is a revenant Brahmin who died while abusing his power and knowledge. He is cursed to roam the planet and they only food he can consume is human flesh. Proper funerary rites are needed to liberate a brahmrakshas.
10. Asur
Asurs were created alongside the Devas (Hindu deities). They are the Deva’s main opposition and have a tendency to wreak havoc and cause chaos before they are eventually killed. Many Hindu festivals like Navratri celebrate the destruction of such Asurs.
Asurs were created alongside the Devas (Hindu deities). They are the Deva’s main opposition and have a tendency to wreak havoc and cause chaos before they are eventually killed. Many Hindu festivals like Navratri celebrate the destruction of such Asurs.
However not all Asurs are malevolent. Bhagat Prahlaad Ji, one of the greatest devotees of God that is even mentioned in Guru Granth Sahib, is an Asur who was born to the Asur king Hiranyakashipu.
Ending the thread here for brevity, but are there any other supernatural beings that I didn’t mention that you’d like to acknowledge? Add onto this thread!
My friend Justin just told me about a creature I didn’t know anything about! The Baitaal.
