Vetala

The Vetala is a vampiric undead creature from the myths of India. They are created when children die and don’t receive proper burial rites and go on to possess corpses. Corpses possessed by Vetala have skin discolored green, white, or light brown. The feet and hands of the corpse twist backward, and the nails grow long and carry poison. The face twists in a manner resembling a fruit bat, and the eyes become slit. The body the Vetala possesses uses dark magic to avoid decay by consuming human blood. They primarily feed on intestines and fecal matter. They target crazed women and children, partially due to them not being believed. They inflict insanity and miscarriages, and victims of the Vetala suffer illness after their attacks. They have in-depth knowledge of the past, present, and future, which makes them a common target of magic users wanting to use their powers. They enter homes by leading an enchanted thread through the chimney and target sleeping or unconscious people. It’s believed they can call green horses to use as mounts. They sleep upside down in trees in cemeteries, forests, and other deserted places. Offerings and gifts can appease the Vetala, and they can be repelled by magic and spells. Giving proper burial rites to the child who became the Vetala will cause it to be destroyed

Citations:

Bane, Theresa. Encyclopedia of Demons in World Religions and Cultures. United Kingdom, McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers, 2014.