ichchhadhaari
Ichchhadhaari, sometimes spelled ichchhadhari or ichha-dhari, is a term in South Asian folklore describing a shapeshifting serpent, commonly a naga or cobra, that can assume any form at will. The word derives from Sanskrit ichchha, meaning desire or will, and dhari, meaning bearer or possessing. In traditional tales, an ichchhadhaari is a powerful being capable of taking human, animal, or even inanimate forms, often to deceive, protect, or gain advantage.
In folklore, ichchhadhaaris are portrayed as rare and formidable. Their abilities are typically linked to supernatural
Culturally, the concept remains prominent in Indian media and popular imagination. Ichchhadhari serpents appear in many
From a scientific viewpoint, there is no evidence that real snakes can shapeshift or assume humanoid forms.