Well, in Indian ghost stories, you often find spirits that are tied to a particular location. It could be because of an unfinished business. For instance, the spirit of the girl near the abandoned temple might have been trapped there because of some mystery related to her disappearance. Also, a lot of these stories involve a moral aspect. The wrongdoings that led to the creation of the ghost often teach a lesson. And the way the ghosts are described, usually as pale figures, is also a common feature. They often make their presence known through physical sensations felt by the living, like a cold breeze or a touch.
One common element is the presence of ancient or abandoned places like old palaces, forts or temples. These places are often believed to hold spirits because of their long history and the many events that might have occurred there.
One common element is the idea of revenge. Many of the ghosts in these stories are seeking revenge for some wrong done to them during their lifetime. For example, a woman who was mistreated may come back as a vengeful spirit.
Common elements include the role of local superstitions. In India, different regions have their own beliefs, and these often get incorporated into ghost stories. For instance, in Kerala, the tribal beliefs might be related to the story of the banyan tree spirit. Family curses are also a common element. The Kolkata mansion story shows how a family's misfortunes can be linked to a haunting. And then there's the idea of a spirit's appearance being related to a particular time, like seeing the priest's shadow in the Tamil Nadu temple at certain times of the year.
One common element is the connection to nature. For example, many spirits are associated with specific trees or areas in the forest. Another is the idea of revenge. Often, the ghosts are there to seek revenge for some wrong done to them in their past lives, like the pontianak who might be angry about her death during childbirth.
One common element is the idea of revenge. Many Indian ghost stories feature ghosts that are seeking vengeance for some wrong done to them in their past lives. Another element is the connection to a specific place, like a fort or a tree which becomes haunted.
One common element is the connection to the land. Many of the ghosts are tied to specific places on the reservation like burial grounds or old tribal sites. Another is the idea of unfinished business. The spirits seem to be lingering because they have something they still need to do, like find a lost family member or protect their tribe.
The use of ancient curses is really scary in Indian ghost stories. For example, in the Bhangarh Fort story, the curse by the sorcerer led to the supposed haunting. It gives a sense of something very powerful and malevolent that can't be easily undone.
The idea of spirits being stuck in a place due to unfinished business. In Indian ghost stories, there are often tales of spirits that can't move on because of something they left unresolved in life. This makes the stories scarier because it gives the impression that death doesn't end everything and there are lingering problems that can affect the living.
The scariest element in many Indian ghost stories is often the unknown. For example, in the Bhangarh Fort story, no one really knows what exactly causes the strange noises and apparitions. It's the mystery that sends shivers down the spine.
The sudden apparitions are really scary. For example, when a figure just appears out of nowhere in a dimly lit hostel corridor. It gives you a jolt.