Baital
Field Report
Baital is a revenant entity from Indian mythology, known for possessing corpses and engaging in riddles with wise men or kings. In the *Baital Pachisi* stories, King Vikram must capture the spirit and answer its questions correctly. Baital resides in cemeteries or trees and can exit bodies at will. It is associated with moral tests and karmic lessons. Modern interpretations portray it as a demonic vampire. It is feared but also respected in rural communities. It appears frequently in Indian popular media. Some scholars consider it a symbolic guardian of justice.
Classification
Type:Undead Spirit
Location:India, primarily in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh
Traits:Bat-like, ghostly, undead; walks through shadows
Threat Assessment
Danger Level: 6.5
First Reported: 1060s
Sightings: 5
Reveal Full Dossier
Behavioral Patterns
It is believed to possess or mimic the living, often in secret. Its behavior is deceptive and parasitic rather than openly violent.
Folklore & Origins
Hindu legends depict it as a vampiric spirit that hangs upside-down from trees and tells riddles to test humans.
Media Documentation
Featured in Indian mythological tales and included in traditional ghost and vampire lore. Occasionally cited in collections of subcontinental supernatural entities. Media mentions are limited and mostly literary.
Hoax Analysis
Baital, originating in Indian folklore, is a vampire-like spirit associated with ancient tales. No modern hoaxes have been linked to it, and its role is entirely mythological with symbolic undertones.