Tradition: Bengali Mythology
Alternative Names: আলেয়া, Marsh Lights, Ghost Lights
Category: Flame
The Myth
The Aleya is a mysterious supernatural light associated with the marshes and wetlands of Bengal and Bangladesh. It appears at night as a glowing orb of fire that floats above the ground or hovers over the water. These eerie lights are especially feared by fishermen, who believe they are the ghosts of fishermen who died while working on the water. Their flickering glow can appear inviting in the darkness, but those who follow them risk being led away from safety.
According to local folklore, the Aleya deliberately lures fishermen toward the water, confusing them with its strange movements until they lose their way and drown. Like the Nishi, another supernatural being known for drawing people into danger with an irresistible call, the Aleya is sometimes said to possess a voice that its victims cannot resist. Its appearance is therefore regarded as a warning of danger in the marshes, where the spirits of the drowned are believed to continue their haunting.
Fishermen of the Sundarbans delta, particularly members of the Khasti and Manna fishing communities, traditionally take these lights seriously. Before setting out to fish, they perform a ritual known as Atoshi-taron for protection against the dangers associated with the Aleya. The ghost light remains a frightening presence in regional folklore, representing the restless dead and the perilous boundary between the living world and the waters where lost souls are said to wander.
Sources
“Ghosts in Bengali culture.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 11, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghosts_in_Bengali_culture