GHOST LIGHTS (Aleya)

The hair raising view of colorful ghost lights in the swamps of Bengal is a delight to watch for paranormal lovers

Aleya (or marsh ghost-light) is the name given to an unexplained strange light phenomena occurring over the marshes as observed by the Bengali people, especially the fishermen of West and Bangladesh.

Unexplained marsh ghost lights or Aleya lights have been reported by local fishermen in the West Bengal swaps. It is said that if one follows these lights, he often gets confused, loosing his way, which may result in his drowning. Many bodies have been discovered. It is said that these lights are the ghosts of fisherman who died while fishing. However, these lights prove to be helpful sometimes.

The earliest attempt at explanation was by the Italian scientist Alessandro Volta, who also discovered the methane gas. The clue lay in the location of these lights, he reasoned, which was always in swamps. He surmised that the colours were due to the ionisation of methane found in swamps and bogs, caused due to phenomenon like atmospheric lightning.

However, it wasn’t until recently that the most accurate explanation surfaced. It is now known that decaying organic matter produces certain gases such as phosphine, diphosphane and methane, which oxidize when they come in contact with the oxygen found in the air. Upon ionization, the molecules of these gases emit packets of lights, more correctly known as “photons” to the scientific community, which cause the illumination. Because different gases emit photons of different wavelengths, the result is lights of different colour.

While the rational explanation does take the steam out of the intriguing, long-cherished beliefs about ghost lights, there’s nothing stopping you—if you ever come across this mesmerising sight—from feigning ignorance and enjoying the adrenaline rush. But don’t try to get too close, as the ground will be swampy and unsafe.