As described by Pradhuman (Pune)
India is
full of myths and legends – the roots of which sometimes take you back by
centuries. The historical monuments, excavation sites, abandoned villages and
dark forests – each of them have a typical set of haunts attached to them.
Indians have always cherished these haunts & the Indian ghost stories
associated with them – the legends run through generations.
Chhalava (pronounced as ch -
huh – laava) is one such age-old legend which still haunts north-Indian
villages. This legend is quite popular in the remote villages of the state of
Uttar Pradesh. According to what Pradhuman narrated me – a chhalava is not a ghost
as such (no mantrik would be able to
locate and destroy it). He is rather a spirit trapped between earth & hell.
A chhalava, is supposed to be a legend dating centuries back, a notorious
warrior who was punished to be trapped in transition for centuries. He is known
to haunt single men (generally those who have their marriages scheduled in the
near future).
