Malana Village & Jamlu Devta Temple is a remote village on a side valley not far (as the crow flies) from Kasol, but culturally very distinct. It sits on a sloping terrace above the Malana Nala, with old wooden houses and temple structures in Kathkuni style (wood–stone interlocking). Malana is famous worldwide for its high-quality “Malana Cream” hashish, but also for its strict rules: outsiders are not allowed to touch houses, people or temples; all interactions must happen from a distance, and fines are imposed if rules are broken. At the village centre stands the Jamlu Devta temple, where the deity is believed to govern everything from justice to tourism decisions through oracles and the village council. Visitors usually observe from outside the sanctum and walk quickly through, respecting the many signboards about do’s and don’ts.
About this place
History & highlights
Local legends say Malana is ruled by Jamlu Devta, an ancient, powerful deity believed to pre-date mainstream Hindu traditions. The village functions like an old republic, with two councils (upper and lower) that claim to act only on Jamlu’s will; some popular stories even say villagers are descendants of soldiers of Alexander the Great, though genetic studies show they are closer to other Indo-Aryan groups of the region. Malana gained outside fame due to documentaries and travel writing calling it “one of the world’s oldest democracies” and because of Malana Cream. A fire in 2008 damaged many old temples, after which rebuilding was done under Jamlu’s guidance. In recent years, the deity is said to have ordered closure of many guest houses and banned tourists from staying overnight or touching structures, as locals felt their culture was being corrupted. So Malana’s modern history is a clash between global attention and a community fiercely committed to preserving its own ancient laws and sacred authority of Jamlu.
Reviews
No reviews yet. Click “Write a Review” above to share your experience.