Chedipe
In its own language: चेदिप
from Hindi, translating to prostitute
A witch-vampire spirit of the Godavari region that drains men and feeds on sorrow
The chedipe is a witch-vampire figure from Indian folklore near the Godavari River. She is said to rise after an untimely death to drain men of blood and energy while feeding on household strife and marital discord.
- She rises after an untimely death or suicide.
- She forces open locked doors and puts families to sleep.
- Blood is drawn from men through their toes.
- She transforms into a one-legged tiger named Murulupuli.
- She feeds on the sorrow caused by shattered marriages.
What it is
The chedipe belongs to the folk tales of central India, specifically the area surrounding the Godavari River. She appears as a witch-vampire spirit rather than a living person. Communities tell stories about her rising from the grave after a violent or sudden passing. She is often linked to other restless spirits called betals. Locals describe her as a coarse woman who rides a tiger across the landscape under a full moon. Her presence marks a shift from ordinary life into a nightmare where households lose their safety and peace.
Where it comes from
The tales explain that certain women transform into this creature after meeting a tragic end. Those who perish during labor, take their own lives, or work as sex workers are said to cross over into her state. Some versions classify her strictly as an undead entity. The stories place her within a broader network of local ghosts and restless dead. This background helps explain why she targets families and why her actions disrupt daily routines so thoroughly.
How it is done
Nightfall brings her movement across the countryside. She approaches a chosen home and uses magic to push open locked doors without breaking them. Once inside, she walks barefoot and naked while casting a heavy sleep over everyone present. She then moves to the bedrooms and draws blood from the men through their feet. In some accounts, she visits repeatedly until the victim grows weak and wastes away. If threatened, she shifts into a tiger shape with a single human leg before vanishing into the woods.
Chedipe, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Indian folklore linked to betal spirits
- Timing
- during the night under a full moon
What it is for
Her hunger focuses on male vitality and bodily strength. She drains energy and leaves victims feeling dizzy and drained the next morning. The stories also emphasize her interest in domestic turmoil. By sharing intimate contact with sleeping husbands, she plants seeds of doubt that fracture marriages. The spirit feeds directly on the grief and anger that follow these broken bonds. Physical violence, such as tearing out tongues or driving burning sticks into flesh, serves as punishment for those who resist or survive longer than expected.
At a glance: who, where and when
Belief worlds
Questions people ask about Chedipe
What exactly is a chedipe?
She is a witch-vampire figure from Indian folklore near the Godavari River. Stories describe her as a restless female spirit who returns after a sudden death to drain men and feed on household sorrow.
How does she enter a home?
Folktales say she rides a tiger at night and uses magic to push closed doors open. She then casts a deep sleep over the residents before moving through the house.
What happens to those she visits?
Victims wake with no memory of the night but feel exhausted and unsteady. Repeated visits sap their strength, damage their health, and can lead to wasting illness or death.
Why are marriages affected?
The stories claim she shares intimacy with sleeping husbands, which creates suspicion and breaks trust between spouses. The spirit is said to draw nourishment from the resulting grief and conflict.
Good reading and sources
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Chedipe", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-07.
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