Churel
South Asian female ghost/witch ('Churel,' 'Chudail,' 'Churail' - also called 'Pichal Peri' = backward feet). Origins: woman who died in pregnancy, childbirth, or wronged by men. Most common: died during childbirth (considered 'impure' death). OR died as bride with husband/family mistreating her - Returns for vengeance. Connected to 'Peri' (Persian supernatural). Mixes Hindu concepts + Islamic jinn beliefs. ONE OF THE Most Feared - drains life force (not just blood): victims wither, age Rapidly - decades in one night. Lures young men by shapeshifting into beauty, then embrace drains life. MEN K