The village of Malana, also known as the village of taboos is situated in the state of Himachal Pradesh. At an altitude of 9,938 feet, it is a magical green village with views of the deotiba and Chandrakani mountains. The small obscured village is known as the “settlement of Taboos” and has many secrets that have been maintained for centuries, making it one of the 10 Interesting facts about Himachal Pradesh
The Malana village or the taboo village is also known to be one of the oldest democracies in the world. Which is also one of the unique villages seen in India. It is a solitary village that does not interact with the other communities in the same vicinity. One of the main rules to keep in mind while entering the village is to not touch any of the walls or the possessions of any of the local villagers, which seems like a harsh regulation.
The taboo village is famously known for its best hashish in the world, which earned an award at the High Times magazine Cannabis Cup in 1994 and 1996. The extracted hash from the cannabis plant is also the main source of income for the village.
As mentioned earlier, one of the main rules is to not touch any of the walls or villagers’ possession. The fine for doing so could be Rs1500/- or even more. The money is then used to sacrifice an animal as a way of restoring the purity and sanctity of the place. The inhabitants of Malana view all non-Malani as lesser people and untouchable. Their body language makes it abundantly clear when an outsider arrives. If they contact us (or we touch them), they become impure and must undergo purification via sacrifice.
Origin
There are various theories as to how the village came to be. According to one theory, the locals are Aryan descendants. According to legend, when Emperor Akbar was suffering from a terrible ailment, the inhabitants of Malana were able to cure it. Akbar was so happy that he exempted everyone in the village from paying taxes. According to a different theory, Malana was created by remnants of Alexander the Great’s army, however, there is no linguistic connection between Greek and Kanashi.
One of the most interesting things to observe in the hamlet is the residents posing for the camera. The villagers of Malana are not camera-shy and may even request more shots. Since hash is one of the village’s primary sources of income, it can be observed as being sold publicly.
The Malana Cream
Malana Cream is the name given to the highly sought-after hashish that is farmed in this region. The police had initiated a campaign to eliminate cannabis production. This has resulted in a sharp drop in tourist numbers. The villagers are now moving farming to lush
woodlands. The locals blame the government for their apathy, claiming that the limitations have cost them their source of income. Don’t be shocked if a local approaches you to sell you some, as it is sold openly in the village.
How to Reach Malana?
There are two primary entry locations that shared vehicles can access. These vehicles are available in Jari, a small village located between Bhuntar and Kasol. From there, one can begin hiking. The longer route is more interesting and will take between 2 and 5 hours, depending on your level of fitness. The shorter route should not exceed one hour. The village can also be experienced by staying at our resort in Himachal Pradesh.
Best time to visit
It is always possible to do. Even during March, there are still a few feet of snow on the ground. Summers and the months following the monsoon will probably be pleasant.
featured image credits: nativeplanet.com