The Devil is a Serpent.

Another Tale from Meghalaya.

Photo by Handerson Chupet.

This tale is something that I heard from my friends and then my teachers at school and then ultimately my grandmother. This story is about a huge serpent that has the ability to fulfill the desires of any person all you have to do is worship it. The place where this story began from is an actual location in Meghalaya, India. The village is now called Dain Thlen it lies on the way to Cherrapunji, Sohra.

What is interesting is that if you were to go and visit this village which is mostly ruins and a beautiful water, you will come across a cubical right at the center and if you look down to where your feet are, then you will see what is believed to be the ruins of the tail of the serpent.

U Thlen means “The Serpent.”

Way back in time, spirits and creatures roamed around the land of the tribal Khasi, there used to be a gigantic serpent called “U Thlen”. But he was no ordinary snake, U Thlen had supernatural powers and craved for human flesh. It was believed that he resided in a deep, dark cave near a river and his presence brought terror to the local people. Local people didn’t dare to go near where he resided as if one went in then there is just no way of return.

The locals feared him so much and always lived in constant fear, dreading the day they would be chosen as its next meal. Then one day the elders of the village and brave warriors decided to hatch a plan in order to end this serpent.

One of the warriors while devising the plan to defeat U Thlen, knew that U Thlen cannot be slayed by simple means. But he learned that Thlen had a weakness for food and hunger.

The warrior along with the elders prepared for a feast, by preparing special meals that were laced with sharp metals. They placed the offering near U Thlen’s cave and waited. Tempted by the sweet aroma of the food, the serpent ate the food greedily, but he was unaware of the sharp metals put into it. As he ingested the food the sharp metals cut his insides and he groaned to the pain, finally succumbing to his internal wounds.

The locals filled with joy that he finally died, dragged his massive body out and burnt him as well as ate him as it was advised by the elders. They were to eat his meat completely otherwise he would regenerate. As everyone bit into his meat and old lady took a piece of Thlen and save it in a little box for her granddaughter.

That stored piece of Thlen she forgot to give it to her granddaughter and lo! behold! U Thlen regenerated after certain number of days.

The old lady terrified of what has come out once again and the sheer terror of realizing what she has done decided to remain quiet. U Thlen told her that if she worshipped him and brought him human flesh then he would give bless her with riches and wealth. And just like that she kept him under her bed and went out of her house every day to try and fulfill the serpent’s wishes.

Slowly he grew in size and so did a local cult grew to worship him as well. People who rear U Thlen called Nongshohnoh meaning “the people who ate the beast.” Thlen started to live in people’s households as a spirit since then, the local cult would bring him these offerings by carefully selecting their victims and cutting off the tip of them and their children’s hair or nails.

It is said that a family who possessed U Thlen could be identified by a strange mark — usually an unexplained scar or burn — on their bodies.

This is one of the most terrifying tales in the Khasi society and parents even warn their children to be careful of the friends they make because you may never know where or when this secret cult might get a hold of you as their next sacrifice.

However, whether this legend is true or just a mere superstition, one thing is certain — U Thlen’s legacy will continue to haunt Meghalaya, serving as a not just a powerful tale of greed, fear, and the darkness that lurks within human desires but also a reminder to becareful in life.