Whispers from the Beyond: Ghosts of India

SummaryWhispers from the Beyond: Ghosts of India is a journey into the rich and diverse supernatural folklore of India, exploring the ghost stories, haunted places, and rituals that have captivated the country for centuries. Spanning both urban legends and rural folklore, the book delves into the unique cultural and religious beliefs that shape India's understanding of the spirit world. The book opens with a look at how different Indian religions-including Hinduism, Islam, and Buddhism-view the afterlife, and how these beliefs influence the country's ghost lore.
It introduces the concept of bhutas, prets, and pishachas-different types of spirits mentioned in Hindu texts-and examines their role in hauntings and the paranormal. From here, the reader is taken on a tour of some of India's most famous haunted locations, including Rajasthan's Bhangarh Fort, Pune's Shaniwarwada, and Mumbai's D'Souza Chawl, where mysterious apparitions and eerie phenomena have been reported.
These places, often tied to tragic historical events, are rich with both history and ghostly legends. In rural India, stories of vengeful spirits like the churail and the vetala reveal how deeply embedded supernatural beliefs are in the countryside. The book explores how villagers use traditional healers, known as ojhas, to rid their communities of malevolent spirits and how ancient rituals still play an active role in protecting people from ghosts.
The supernatural has also found its way into Indian popular culture, especially in Bollywood films. From early gothic thrillers like Mahal (1949) to modern horror hits like Raaz and Bhool Bhulaiyaa, the book discusses how Indian cinema has portrayed ghosts, drawing from traditional folklore while also adapting to modern storytelling. Real-life ghost encounters are also highlighted, with stories from everyday people and paranormal investigators offering a glimpse into the ongoing belief in spirits across India.
The book further explores scientific explanations for paranormal experiences, including sleep paralysis, environmental factors, and psychological phenomena, providing a balanced view between belief and scepticism. In addition to ghost stories, the book examines rituals and exorcisms used to deal with spirits. From Tantric practices to Christian and Hindu exorcisms, these spiritual ceremonies play a significant role in managing supernatural disturbances.
Protective charms, prayers, and ancestral rituals, such as Pitru Paksha and Bhoot Chaturdashi, offer insight into how people seek to appease or ward off spirits. The book concludes with a reflection on how ghost stories are evolving in modern India. With the rise of technology, urbanisation, and paranormal tourism, the belief in ghosts has taken on new forms. Yet, whether told around a village fire or shared via social media, ghost stories continue to captivate the imagination, providing a bridge between the past and the present, the living and the dead.