The vampire — that undead creature of the night, half-human, half-bat, thriving on blood — every culture has one in its lore. And this explains the universal appeal of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.

The Vetala. Vetala is another female vampire of India. This one, according to folklore has the power to enter the bodies of human. 8/17. 8. The Vetala.

Adapted from the ancient Sanskrit work Baital Pachisi, the never-ending story of King Vikramāditya and Vetala (Vampire), brought wide repute to this magazine.

There are bloodsuckers galore in Indian lore: The mischievous vetala that hangs upside-down from trees, flesh-eating pishachas, the night sorceress chedipe who only attacks men.