Bhutas, also known as bhoot, are a type of ghost, usually of a deceased person, found in Hindu mythology. The belief of the bhutas is deeply ingrained in the minds of the people of the Indian subcontinent across generations.
Interpretations of how bhutas come into existence vary by region and community, but they are usually considered to be perturbed and restless due to some factor that prevents them from moving on. This could be a violent death, unsettled matters in their lives, or simply the failure of their survivors to perform proper funerals.
Bhutas are able to alter and assume forms of various animals at will, but are usually seen in human form. However, their feet often reveal them to be ghosts, as they are backwards facing. As the earth is regarded as sacred or semi-sacred in many traditions of the Indian subcontinent, bhutas go to lengths to avoid contact with it, often floating above it, either imperceptibly or up to a foot above. Bhutas cast no shadows, and speak with a nasal twang. They often lurk on specific trees and prefer to appear in white clothing. Sometimes bhutas haunt specific houses, which are typically places where they were killed or which have some other significance to the bhuta.
