576:, in Pakistan that is actually the area in which Alexander the Great's soldiers took refuge. This legend is also inconsistent with the legendary descent of the local people from Indo-Aryans who would pre-date Alexander the Great's soldiers by approximately a thousand years. Recent genetic typing of the Malani population is much more consistent with an Indo-Aryan origin with a large proportion of Y-DNA haplotypes J2 and R1a which are the haplotypes of majority of Indians, North or South in South Asia rather than with a Greek origin which would have a different characteristic mix of Y-DNA haplotypes such as R2b. J2 and R1a are paternal lineages found in more than 20% and 40% of population of North/South India but are rare in Mediterranean societies like Greece.
369:/Raksh (supposedly the dialect of people residing there long ago), which is understood only by the villagers. "Kanashi, the language of Malana, does not resemble any of the dialects spoken in its neighbourhood but seems to be a mixture of Sanskrit and several Tibetan dialects." Ethnologue classifies Malana as a Tibetan-Burmese language, rather than as a member of the Indo-European languages, and notes that Kanashi has no intelligibility with any Tibeto-Burman language of Kinnaur" although Malana is surrounded by Indo-Aryan language speaking populations.
57:
402:
980:
340:, has brought Malana much closer to the rest of the world and provides revenue for the region. A new road has shortened the walking time from several days to just 4 hours. On 5 January 2008, a raging fire in the village, which burnt for more than 5 hours, destroyed cultural structures and parts of ancient temples located in the village. In 2017, the village ordered the closure of approximately a dozen guest houses and restaurants, ostensibly on the orders of the deity Jamlu.
43:
90:
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Akbar miraculously found the two coins stuck together among the coins in his treasury. The
Brahmins instructed him to make a pilgrimage to Malana to return the coins. But being unable to make the long and strenuous journey, Akbar instead sent a golden statue of himself, his horses, and his elephants
1005:
Local lawmakers and officials say the plant is part of their tradition and empathize with people in steep, remote villages who consider cannabis the only cash crop they can grow in harsh weather and geographic conditions. Maheshwar Singh, a local lawmaker and the descendant head of the royal family
554:
Young believes the tale is based on some truth, due to the existence of the images. Though whether it really involved Akbar is unlikely, since his role in the story has no special significance attached to it. Young believes that the images and the ritual involving them originate from a much older
1119:
An isolated village nestled in the
Himalayas, Malana is popular for Malana Cream, a strain of cannabis with a high oil content and intense aroma Malana Cream is among the most expensive hashish on the famed cannabis menus of Amsterdam. A tola, or 11.66 grams, sells for over $ 250 there and over
592:
Malana is famous for its “Malana Cream”, a product made from cannabis plants which grow in the
Parvati valley. Malana cream is regarded as high purity hash. In order to make Malana Cream the live cannabis flower is rubbed between the hands repeatedly, pulling out the resin to generate a layer of
425:
The social structure of Malana in fact rests on villagers' unshaken faith in their powerful deity, Jamblu Devta. The entire administration of the village is controlled by him through a village council. This council has eleven members and they are believed to be delegates of Jamblu who govern the
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into a crowd of men (called 'Ra Deo') and started to rave and gibber which bewildered the
Brahmin. Nevertheless, he went into the temple with one of the Malana hosts clad in only a loincloth and carrying the parchment. Inside the temple, the Brahmin became paralyzed and speechless and had to be
416:
valley, there is a myth that the
Malanis have very distinct physical features, and a dialect which is different from the rest of the valley. However, in the valleys of Himachal, there are a significant number of distinct Pahadi dialects, some of them totally different from each other. Hence the
277:, the traditional language of the inhabitants of Malana, number approximately 1700. According to the 1961 census, the language speakers were then 563, but today the population of Malana is at least three times as large as 40 years ago. The most common route to the village is by taxi or bus from
264:
shadow the village. It is situated on a remote plateau by the torrential Malana river, at a height of 2,652 metres (8,701 ft) above sea level. Malana has its own lifestyle and social structure, and people are strict in following their customs. Malana has been the subject of various
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army. As the legend goes, some soldiers took refuge in this remote land after
Alexander left the country and later settled there permanently. This myth is however disputed without substantial historical evidence and because there are those who claim that it is the valley of
477:, despite the contempt of it shown by the villagers. Jamlu is sometimes referred to by the alternative name of "Jamdaggan", and his supposed older brother Gaiphan, is also called "Jagamdamb", both are seemingly variants of Jamadagni. Moreover, the youngest son of Jamadagni,
292:. As for the villagers, one may rush to take bath once they touched an outsider. Shops may ask visitors to leave money on the floor in exchange for goods to not touch one another. Villagers strictly keep up with this custom to "preserve the 'purity' of the village".
539:, who told him of the exact cause of his affliction. They told him that the disease would continue until the sacred money that was taken was found and returned to Malana. Akbar asked for the value that was taken, and the Brahmins said that it was only two
393:. While tourism is now a major source of income for the village, tourists can only stay outside of the village in cafes like The Marley Shed, Baba Cafe, Cafe Rudra, and more, but not inside the village or in homesteads which was previously allowed.
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This story is reenacted in Malana on the 12th of
Phaggan. The images were said to be paraded to a grove, where a small stone is embedded on the ground to mark the place where Jamlu waited to receive the emperor's homage.
655:
348:
Although the village is situated in
Himachal Pradesh, India, people of this village do not consider them to be a part of India. They have their own judiciary system as well. The village is governed by a
1021:
Giroti, R; Talwar, I (April 2010). "The Most
Ancient Democracy in the World is a Genetic Isolate: An Autosomal and Y-Chromosome Study of the Hermit Village of Malana (Himachal Pradesh, India)".
310:(deity) Jamlu rishi. Although Jamlu is currently identified with a sage from the Puranas, this is a relatively recent development. Jamlu is believed to have been worshipped in pre-Aryan times.
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dragged out by his companion. Neither of them would say what happened inside the temple, but the
Brahmin supposedly tore up the parchment and left, confessing to not knowing who Jamlu was.
465:) to the village of Malana, written on a piece of parchment. The villagers suggested that he lay it on the temple to see if Jamlu recognizes it, whereupon the spirit of the god supposedly
306:(sage) inhabited this place and made rules and regulations. The locals claim it was one of the oldest democracies of the world, with a well-organized parliamentary system, guided by their
524:, whereupon part of the sacred money was taken from him as tax for entrance into the city. This sacrilege supposedly angered Jamlu, and Akbar was stricken with a disease (allegedly
1132:
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As per the village's strong custom, outsiders are prohibited from physically touching anything in the village, including its people and temples, a rule punishable with a fine of
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visiting Malana on a pilgrimage. And on his departure, he was given a blanket and a small sum of money from Jamlu's treasury, as was customary. The sadhu journeyed onwards to
481:, exists as a deity in one of the nearby villages and is also acknowledged as a son of Jamlu. While Young still believes that Jamlu and the other local deities of
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physical/lingual uniqueness cannot be proven, given the inaccessibility of the Malana people, except for the trade of Marijuana / Hashish in the Parvati valley.
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priest, who visited Malana, and tried to educate the locals about the pedigree of their god, but had to leave while confessing to not knowing who Jamlu was.
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village in his name. His decision is ultimate in any dispute and any outsider authority is never required. Thus Malana has been named the Athens of the
56:
543:. Akbar protested that it would be impossible to find such a small amount in his treasury, but the Brahmins nevertheless urged him to try and do so.
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The village has several ancient temples. (1) Jamlu temple, built in Kathkuni style, with wooden carving and deer heads (2) Rukmini temple
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Malana has been called ‘one of the oldest democracies’ in the world. The villagers believe that they are descendants of the soldiers of
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of Kullu, said a look at the old tax books shows that the plant was legally cultivated and sold for decades before India's drug law.
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The economy of Malana was traditionally based on making baskets, ropes and slippers from hemp. Marijuana was cultivated as a legal
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Young believes that the Brahmin in the story (if it was factual) actually succeeded in his goal of incorporating Jamlu into the
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There are various legends about their origin. According to one of them, it is believed that they are the descendants of
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The village administration is democratic and is believed, by locals, to be the oldest republic of the world.
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353:, consisting of lower house called the Kanishthang and an upper house called the Jayeshthang. The current
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Other photos had an entry gate of Malana, considered to have the best quality of cannabis in the world.
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509:. The images are said to be taken out once a year during the festival of Jamlu in the month of
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A tale involving Jamlu and Malana was recounted by the villagers to the English historian
1109:"An ancient Himalayan village known for India's best hash is now off limits for tourists"
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506:
1085:"Hash through hashtag: Himachal's famed marijuana on sale via Instagram, Speed Post"
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629:"'Deity orders' closure of joints, guest houses at Malana village famous for hash"
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in 1911, involving the origins of religious images allegedly sent to Malana by
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876:"Experts to study Alexander's 'last descendants' in Himachal - Times of India"
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1133:"Among the world's top stoner spots, Malana now cannot do without marijuana"
733:"Documentary Film makers & Film Productions. Watch Documentaries Online"
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originate from older indigenous gods, he also noted that over time, they
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390:
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995:"For this Himachal village, banned cannabis is its source of livelihood"
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808:
Penelope Chetwode (1972). "Kulu The End of the Habitable World. p. 90.
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for centuries. Beginning in the 1980s, Malana became a destination for
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656:"Why tourists are not allowed to touch anything in this Kasol village"
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Realizing the disease was supernatural in origin, Akbar consulted his
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532:
458:
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953:
851:"यहां सदियों से गांव की संसद ही तय करती है कायदा कानून - Amarujala"
790:
Young, George Malcolm (1916). "Malana and the Akbar-Jamlu Legend".
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with Hindu elements and their original names were lost to history.
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in his stead. This placated Jamlu, and Akbar's disease was cured.
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Kulu The End of the Habitable World By Penelope Chetwode page 89
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Dr. Virendra Bangroo, "Malana: A Lost Utopia In The Himalayas,"
248:. The only village in the Malana Nala, a side valley of the
256:, it is isolated from the rest of the world. The peaks of
281:. Roads to Malana Village trekking gate are developed.
273:. The existing speakers of the autochthonous language
461:) brought Jamlu's supposed true lineage (said to be
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714:Malana: Globalization of a Himalayan Village, 2010
433:Jamlu is invoked through a villager serving as an
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535:, but they could not help. He then consulted the
1152:"Malana: A Himalayan village shrouded in myth"
690:"Malana: A Himalayan village shrouded in myth"
497:Another tale involving Jamlu was also told to
333:who got stranded here on account of injuries.
8:
513:, though what the images depict is unknown.
267:Malana: Globalization of a Himalayan Village
1175:Himalayan Culture and Mountaineering Museum
826:"Malana - World's Oldest Democracy - Kullu"
23:
963:
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1170:Malana : Shangrila in the Himalayas
792:Journal of the Panjab Historical Society
746:Malana : Shangrila in the Himalayas
907:. Outlook magazine. M/s Kasturi ad sons
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1072:Malana (Manali): Athènes de l'Himalaya
993:Dutta, Prabhash K. (4 December 2016).
683:
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437:. The deity Jamalu is known as Rishi
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688:Chakraborty, Mehk (21 August 2018).
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1107:Balachandran, Manu (11 July 2017).
903:Joshi, Namratha (26 January 2008).
76:Location in Himachal Pradesh, India
300:According to local legends, Jamlu
21:Village in Himachal Pradesh, India
14:
1083:Chhabra, Aarish (21 March 2017).
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954:http://ignca.nic.in/nl002401.htm
593:sticky hashish across the palm.
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627:Bisht, Gaurav (11 July 2017).
453:when he visited it in 1911. A
445:The tale of the Brahmin priest
365:The residents of Malana speak
96:
63:
1:
412:Despite being a part of the
385:. The village also produces
79:Show map of Himachal Pradesh
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1195:Villages in Kullu district
405:Aerial view of the village
338:Malana Hydro Power Station
383:recreational drug tourism
265:documentaries, including
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1120:Rs4,000 ($ 60) in India.
516:The tale begins with a
271:Malana, A Lost Identity
493:The Akbar-Jamlu legend
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397:Culture and lifestyle
205: • Official
141:32.06278°N 77.26056°E
1035:10.3378/027.082.0201
719:28 June 2010 at the
351:bicameral parliament
1150:Chakraborty, Mehk.
559:Hellenic connection
336:A dam project, the
331:Alexander the Great
137: /
1135:. 4 December 2016.
880:The Times of India
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322:about an orthodox
192: • Total
146:32.06278; 77.26056
976:(25th ed., 2022)
316:Penelope Chetwood
252:northeast of the
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112:Show map of India
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798:(2): 77–149.
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588:Malana Cream
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567:soldiers of
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254:Kullu Valley
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1000:India Today
569:Alexander's
487:syncretized
479:Parashurama
451:G. M. Young
312:G. M. Young
144: /
1184:Categories
973:Ethnologue
855:Amar Ujala
597:References
499:G.M. Young
467:incarnated
344:Government
187:Population
132:77°15′38″E
129:32°03′46″N
1023:Hum. Biol
885:9 January
860:9 January
835:9 January
699:29 August
668:29 August
463:Jamadagni
428:Himalayas
379:cash crop
355:panchayat
262:Deo Tibba
216:Time zone
200:Languages
1059:22324205
1051:20649396
1043:41466666
717:Archived
537:Brahmins
457:priest (
439:Jamdagni
391:potatoes
361:Language
318:recount
221:UTC+5:30
1156:bbc.com
968:Kanashi
938:26 July
911:12 July
580:Temples
533:mullahs
526:leprosy
511:Phaggan
505:of the
455:Brahmin
373:Economy
367:Kanashi
324:Brahmin
296:History
275:Kanashi
157:Country
35:Village
1114:Quartz
1057:
1049:
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812:
760:
574:Kalash
555:date.
459:pandit
435:oracle
320:a tale
290:₹3,500
286:₹2,500
269:. and
238:Indian
234:Malana
166:
103:Malana
70:Malana
28:Malana
1190:Kullu
1055:S2CID
1039:JSTOR
565:Greek
541:paisa
522:Delhi
518:sadhu
483:Kullu
414:Kullu
387:maize
308:devta
303:rishi
279:Jhari
242:state
209:Hindi
195:4,700
176:State
169:India
1047:PMID
940:2010
913:2015
887:2018
862:2018
837:2018
810:ISBN
758:ISBN
701:2024
670:2024
389:and
314:and
260:and
1031:doi
970:at
694:BBC
528:).
288:to
244:of
225:IST
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