
‘Deity orders’ closure of joints, guest houses at Malana village famous for hash
Malana village in Himachal Pradesh, famous for its premium quality hashish, has just become off limits for tourists after its presiding deity Jamlu ‘ordered’ the closure of all guest houses and restaurants ‘to protect’ local culture and traditions.
The deity’s diktat came on the heels of a meeting of the village’s own ’parliament’ which concluded that outsiders thronging their village were a threat to their culture. The ‘parliament’ comprises an upper house called Jayeshthang and a lower house called Kanishthang. Villagers invoked Jamlu after the ‘parliament’ met.
Villagers in Malana invoke Jamlu through a chosen medium – in this case an oracle, who then conveys to them what the deity ‘said.’ Devotes believe Jamlu responds to all kinds of queries.
“The deity did not want any of the villagers to rent out their property for running guest houses and restaurants. He has forbidden everyone from doing this, and those violating his orders will have to bear the brunt of his curse,” Malana panchayat pradhan Bhagi Ram told HT on the phone.
Corroborating the development, district tourism officer in Kullu, Rajnish Gautam, said, “I learnt that the deity has forbidden the villagers from running guest houses.” The restaurants and guest houses have to be registered with state government’s tourism department’s office in Kullu.
There are nearly a dozen guest houses in the village with a population of 4700.
Inhabitants of Malana known as the Malanis have a distinctive dialect called Kanashi, which is different from the others spoken in the Kullu region. Malana is an isolated village in the Parvati Valley and its reclusive inhabitants are said to be descendants of soldiers of Alexander’s army.
A few months back, the village had banned photography because villagers felt that visitors clicking pictures were portraying Malana as a hub of narco-tourism.
“It’s unfortunate that cannabis trade has defamed our village. People of this village have their own culture and beliefs,” said Mahila Mandal pradhan Ram Kali, adding that they have been struggling to shed this cannabis tag.
Vivek Mohan, winner of a national award for his critically acclaimed documentary on Malana, said, “Malana managed to preserve its culture due to two factors: devotion to Devta Jamlu and its geographical isolation. Now both are getting diluted due to the Malana hydro project and mobile telephony. Their devotion to the devta is keeping them together, but how long will it be before it becomes a cosmetic ritual.”
Traditionally, inhabitants of this land-locked village used to make baskets, ropes and slippers from hemp. But in the late 1980s, the visiting foreigners taught the villagers to extract the intoxicating resin from cannabis.
Though successive governments have tried to wean the villagers away from narcotic trade, there is no other cash crop to rival cannabis in Malana. The maize and potatoes grown by the villagers do not fetch handsome returns.
_1614884674395_1614884685385.jpg)
Similipal blaze contained, Odisha asks for rapid response to forest fires
- The biosphere reserve spread over an area of 5569 sq km contributes 38% of the total protected area network in Odisha. It is also one of the oldest tiger reserves in the country having the largest zone of Sal trees.

Top military meet in new avatar, to be ‘multi-layered and informal’
- For the first time, junior commissioned officers (JCOs) and jawans are taking part in the top conference, as reported by Hindustan Times on Wednesday.

Four days into March, Mumbai sizzles at 38 degrees Celsius
- According to the IMD's forecast, Friday and Saturday may see higher daytime temperatures that could rise to 39 degrees Celsius.

More than 1 million Covid-19 vaccine doses given in a day: Government

Complainant fails to join probe against Karnataka ex-minister Ramesh Jarkiholi
- A police officer said that the complainant's status as witness in the case of alleged sexual exploitation against former minister Ramesh Jarkiholi is also unclear.

‘Choice between smart city and decay’: Minister on Ease of Living Index report

Press Association seeks priority Covid-19 vaccination of accredited journalists

ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India plans $6.88 billion steel plant

SC suggests law to create more courts to clear pendency of cheque bounce cases
- On Wednesday, the Centre had submitted a note prepared by Department of Financial Services (DFS) which did not agree with the Court’s suggestion to create additional courts as a solution to curb high pendency of Section 138 cases.

Kotak Mahindra Bank signs MoU with Indian army to handle salary accounts

Indore ranks ninth in Centre's Ease of Living Index 2020, gets CM's praises
- Indore was ranked the ninth-best city among cities with over a million population.

Odisha govt has data on number of people under OBC category: Dharmendra Pradhan
- Pradhan, who has written at least three letters to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik demanding immediate implementation of 27 per cent quota for OBC category, in a statement said that his demand for reservation in jobs and education remain unaddressed till date.

SII writes to PMO proposing reforms in drug regulatory system

Military leaders will have to match political vision behind theaterisation: CDS
- General Bipin Rawat said the Indian armed forces face greater challenges than any other military in the world and India urgently needs to bring about structural reforms in higher defence and operational organisations.
