Ghosts in Bengali culture

Ghosts are an important part of folklore in Bengal. Fairy tales, both old and new often use the concept of ghosts. In modern day Bengali literature as well, references to ghosts may be often found. It is believed that the spirits of those who cannot find peace in the afterlife or die unnatural deaths remain on Earth. The common word for ghosts in Bengali is bhut (Bengali: ভূত)

• Shankchunni: Ghost of a married female usually ware a special kind of bangles in their hands which is a sign of married woman in Bengal. The word "Shankchunni" comes from Shankhachurni (Sanskrit). Shankchunni usually captures the wives of rich men so that they can lead a life of a married woman and can enjoy everything that a married woman usually do. People say that they live in Mango trees.
• Petni: Petni are female ghost usually unmarried. It is a ghost of usually those who committed crimes in life and are cursed to walk the Earth as ghosts. The Petni can be very vicious, and apparently can appear to be almost completely human until they attack. The only distinguishing characteristic of the ghost is the feet – the feet of Petni are backwards.
• Chorachunni: thief ghost, very mischievous and usually the souls of dead thieves.
• Penchapechi: An unusual form of ghost, the Penchapechi take the form of owls and hunt in the Bengali forests. The ghost follows hapless travelers through the woods until they are completely alone before it strikes. Unlike other ghosts, the Penchapechi actually consumes its victims, feeding on their body in an almost vampiric way.
• Mechho: This is a kind of ghost who likes to eat fish. Mechho usually lives near to the village ponds full of fish. Sometimes they steal fish from kitchens in village or from the boats of fisherman.
• Maal: This is a mermaid like creature which dwells in the rivers and lakes of Bangladesh. It drags unsuspecting people into the water, drowning them.
• Nishi: One of the most cruel of ghosts, the Nishi lures its victim to a secluded area by calling to the person with the voice of a loved one. The Nishi only strike at night, and their victims are never seen again, so it is unknown what happens to them. They may become Nishi themselves. According to folklore, the Nishi cannot call out more than twice, and so no one should answer a voice at night until it has called three times.
• Mamdo bhut: Ghosts of Muslims
• Brahmadaitto or Brahmodatti: Ghosts of Brahmin or Brahmo people
• Aleya: Marsh gas apparitions that confuse fishermen, make them lose their bearings and eventually drown
• Skondhokata or Kondhokata: A headless ghost
• Bego Bhoot: This is a ghost of those person who are killed or eaten by the tigers in jungle. Mainly in Sundarban area (in West Bengal, India) which is a Royal Bengal Tiger Sanctuary, the villagers believe in this kind of ghost. These ghosts use to frighten persons who entered the jungle in search of honey, woods and try to put them in front of tigers. Sometimes they do the mimicry of tigers to terrify the villagers.   

source:   wikipedia