Pichal peri orpichhal pairī (Punjabi:ਪਿੱਛਲ ਪੈਰੀ,Hindi:पिछल पेरी,Urdu:پچھل پيری "reverse-footed") is the name given to thechurel in northwesternSouth Asia andCentral Asia because of their typical appearance as a woman with long hair covering the face and feet pointing backward.[1]
Pichal peris are said to roam the mountains ofIndia andPakistan.[2] They are said to be found in the Himalayas, though it occasionally enters some Indian villages.[2] InPakistan, sightings are usually reported in the rural mountainous regions of theKhyber Pakhtunkhwa province, however sightings in thePunjab province are also occasionally reported. People who claim these reports are usually elders of rural villages who are known to hold superstitious beliefs, it is possible that people inPunjab have taken inspiration from their northern neighbours and made their own versions of the legend. The characteristics of the pichal peri vary depending on region.[1]
In some versions, pichal peris appear in the woods at night and target lone men. Most stories will have the victim escaping as these are usually told by people who claim to be first hand witnesses. It is believed that pichal peris have two forms. In most stories they appear as beautiful women in order to lure men and get exposed only due to their backward feet. In some cases witnesses claim to see the female form transforming into a tall demonic creature.[1]