Yakshi, Indian Horror Story

About this episode

This episode explores the dark folklore surrounding the yakshi, a seductive and dangerous female spirit from Indian traditions.

A yakshi (also called yakshini) is a female nature spirit from Indian religious and folk traditions. Her male counterpart is a yaksha. In early Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions, yakshis were often linked to trees, fertility, water, wealth, hidden treasure, and sacred natural places. They appear often in ancient Indian sculpture as beautiful female figures associated with trees and abundance. In folklore, especially in parts of South India and Kerala, the yakshi becomes darker: a beautiful, seductive, dangerous female spirit who may lure men, haunt roads or forests, drink blood, or take revenge after a tragic death. #indianmythology #indianfolklorehorror #indianhorror

People in this episode

Host: Nikesh Murali

Topics covered

• Indian mythology
• Indian folklore
• horror
• female spirits
• seduction
• revenge

Keywords

• yakshi
• Indian horror
• folklore
• female spirit
• seductive
• revenge
• blood
• nature spirit

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Yakshi, Indian Horror Story

Places: South India, Kerala

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