Case file · Folklore / legend
The vetala tales, Kashmir
Around 1070 the Kashmiri poet Somadeva included the 'Vetalapanchavimshati', 25 riddling tales told by a corpse-possessing vetala to King Vikramaditya, in his 'Kathasaritsagara'.
1070 CE · 34.08, 74.80 · status: legend
The account
The vetala hangs from a tree in a cremation ground and re-animates corpses. The tales became 'Baital Pachisi' in Hindi and 'Vikram aur Betaal' on television.