Once a man, having fallen into bankruptcy, decided to leave his village with his family and belongings, journeying to another country in search of a livelihood. One evening, he stopped for the night at a place known as Shamashana – a cremation ground said to be haunted by ghosts and evil spirits. As darkness fell, a fierce and murderous ghost appeared before him.

Without hesitation, the man instructed his daughter-in-law to bind the ghost. She quickly grabbed a rope and ran toward the ghost to tie it up. Meanwhile, he ordered his son and wife to behead the ghost. Following his command, they both chased after the spirit with a sword and an axe, ready to strike.

Seeing himself cornered, the ghost pleaded with them, promising to reveal the location of five jars of buried gold coins if they spared his life. The old man agreed, and the ghost showed him where the treasure was hidden. After securing the gold, he instructed his family to release the ghost unharmed. With this newfound wealth, the man returned home and began to live comfortably.

The man’s sudden change in fortune puzzled his neighbors, who grew suspicious. Eventually, someone envious of his newfound wealth uncovered the story and decided to try his luck the same way. He sold his house and land, gathered his family, and journeyed to the haunted site.

That night, as the ghost appeared before them, the man instructed his daughter-in-law to bind the ghost. Terrified, she fled and hid her face. He then told his wife and son to behead the ghost, but they, too, ran away in fear. Seeing them all cower, the ghost seized the opportunity and killed them one by one.

A folkstory from Uttarakhand sourced from the book Proverbs and Folklore of Kumaun and Garhwal complied by Pandit Ganga Datt Upreti

Story Edited by : Pauline A

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