Shakchunni

**Shakchunni** (Bengali: শাকচুন্নি; also spelled **Shankhachunni**) is a female ghost in Bengali folklore. Stories about her are commonly told in Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. People believe she is the spirit of a married Hindu woman who died while her husband was still alive.

In traditional belief, marriage is very important in Bengali society. A married woman has special social and religious importance. When such a woman dies suddenly, people believe her emotional wishes may remain unfinished. Because of this strong attachment to married life, she may become a Shakchunni.

## Name and meaning

The name _Shakchunni_ comes from the Sanskrit word _Shankhachurni_. In Bengali Hindu culture, married women wear special symbols of marriage. These include white conch-shell bangles called _shankha_ and red vermilion powder called _sindoor_. These symbols show that a woman’s husband is alive.

People believe that a Shakchunni keeps wearing these symbols even after death. This shows that she still thinks of herself as a married woman and cannot let go of her past life.

## Stories and folklore

According to folklore, a Shakchunni misses her home, husband, and family life. Because of this, she may try to return to normal domestic life. Some stories say she may possess or influence married women so she can experience family life again.

Stories about Shakchunni appear in many Bengali folktales. They are also found in traditional story collections such as _Thakurmar Jhuli_. In many stories, a traditional healer or exorcist called an _ojha_ performs rituals to remove or defeat the spirit.

In some tales, she is shown as frightening and dangerous. In other stories, she is lonely and sad. Different regions describe her in different ways.

## Appearance

Shakchunnis are usually described with green or pale skin. Their bodies are thin, and their faces may look tired or sorrowful.

They wear a red-and-white sari, which is commonly worn by married Bengali women. They also wear conch bangles and red vermilion on the forehead. Even as spirits, they are often described as caring about their appearance and clothing.

Some stories say she may look like a normal woman from far away. But when someone looks closely, her strange skin color or unnatural behavior shows that she is not human.

## Food and daily habits

Many stories say Shakchunnis love fish. Fish is an important food in Bengali culture and is often connected with married life and family well-being. Her love of fish shows her wish to return to married life.

Some stories say she eats raw fish, while others say she prefers cooked or even spoiled fish. The type of fish she eats depends on the story.

Some beliefs say she behaves like a careful housewife. She may clean her surroundings and keep things in order. Other stories say she sprinkles water mixed with cow dung around her living area, following traditional rural cleaning customs.

## Place of living

Folklore says Shakchunnis often live near villages, ponds, or quiet homes. Some stories say they live in trees, especially old trees near houses.

People sometimes avoid such places at night because they fear meeting her. She is often believed to appear during late night or early morning, when everything is quiet.

## Cultural importance

Shakchunni is one of the most well-known female ghosts in Bengali folklore. She represents the importance of marriage and family in traditional society. Her story also reflects fear of unfinished wishes and emotional attachment after death.

Stories about her are told to children, shared in folk storytelling, and sometimes shown in modern literature and media. Even today, many people know her name from traditional stories.