Chudail (Daayan) - The story of Indian Witch & Witchcraft

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India is a land of myths & legends – centuries of profound history has given this land endless fables rising from every nook & corner. When it comes to ghostly icons, one is obviously drawn to the globally acclaimed vampires, werewolves & Halloween charades. However, it is quite interesting to note that Indian Ghost Stories have its own counterparts to compete with this global folklore, some of which have more horrifying track records. 

The Indian counterpart for the witch is called Chudail or Chudel (चुड़ैल )(pronounced as chew-dale). In many places, it is also referred to as Daayan (डायन) (pronounced as dye-en), although there are many conceptual difference of opinions between these two terms regardless of their common origin. A Chudail is an Indian Witch or Female Ghost and is believed to arise from the death of a woman during child birth. Indian witch stories have many variations across the different states of India. For e.g. the north Indian states often believe that the Chudail can change its physical form and lure young men. Once she lures them into a lonely place, she pounces on them to either kill or have physical contact with them. In both the cases, the victim is supposedly drained off his life. The Chudail is supposed to live near graveyards or deep inside the forests.

To prevent the birth of a Chudail from the death of a woman (during her child birth or menstruation or suicide due to social harassment), the villagers (in olden days) used to spread mustard seeds at their doors. In rare cases, tantriks were called to conduct holy rituals (exorcisms) to bid the dead a peaceful goodbye.

In the western & eastern parts of India, the Chudail is believed to look like a hag (an old woman with disturbing looks) who lures small children away from their families and then kills them. Some even believe that she eats little children so as to keep herself younger through centuries. In the western regions of India, the Chudail is sometimes referred to as Haadal (हडळ) (pronounced as Huddle). However, unlike the beliefs of the north Indian people, the people living in Western regions believe that the Haadal haunts a Chinch (Tamarind) Tree or an old Vad (Banyan) Tree. When people prone to ghostly attacks (based on their birth charts) come in the vicinity of this tree, she haunts them to fulfill her unfinished businesses. A tantric is then called to interrogate with the victim so as to understand the Haadal’s story & negotiate her demands. People from the state of Maharashtra also believe that one who dares to strike a nail through the bark of the tree supposedly haunted by a Chudail (or a Haadal) will not only free his village from the witch’s torment but will also gain good luck for his family for the next seven generations. This act needs to be done at the stroke of midnight on a no moon day (amaavas)

Owing to superstitions pertaining within the Indian systems, there have been acts of tragedies & social injustice taking place through centuries. In olden days, it is believe that when a Queen could not conceive a child for years, she used to be pronounced as a Witch or Chudail. She was then banished from the kingdom or worse, killed. And it isn’t just the history – these scenarios are still prevalent in modern India.

  

In remote villages (and sometimes in well civilized cities), a wife is held responsible for any tragedy taking place with her husband. There have been cases where the family members have banished or burnt the poor wife on account of her possibly being a Daayan. A remarkable case took place in a village close to the borders of Maharashtra & Gujarat. An old woman, living all alone by doing odd chores was blackmarked by the villagers. Apparently, she used to gather the little children around and tell them stories. Some of the villagers found this disturbing (since the children seemed to enjoy her company & visit her everyday) and called up the Panchayat (the village council). Together, they pelted the old woman till she was running past her capacity & finally fell down after her lungs gave up. I believe such tragic deaths can sure result in the formation of vengeful Chudails who might strike back for their rightful justice.