Malana is an Indian village in the state of Himachal Pradesh. It is a small village looks like a model village, but has a profound archaeological value. It is known as the "Little Greece of India" The majestic peaks of Chandrakhani Peak and Deotibba Peak shadow the village of Malana and it allure the trekkers.
Location of Malana
Malana is a solitary village located in the Malana Nala, a side valley of the Parvati Valley to the north-east of Kullu Valley.
Geography of Malana
Malana has a geographical extension on a remote plateau by the side of the torrential Malana River, at a height of 3,029 metres (9,938 ft) above sea level. Malana has its own lifestyle and social structure and people are strict in following their customs.
Population of Malana
The ancient history says that the people of Malana have the similarity with the Greek people. The existing speakers of the local language Kanashi, the traditional language of the inhabitants of Malana, number approximately 1700. According to the 1961 census, the Kanashi language speakers were then 563, but today the population of Malana is at least three times as large as 40 years ago.
Culture of Malana
The social structure of Malana 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 as delegates of Jamblu who govern the 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 Himalayan Mountain Range. The Malanis admire their culture, customs and religious beliefs. They generally do not like to change though some traces of modernization are visible throughout India. People in Malana consider all non-Malani to be inferior and consequently untouchable. Visitors to Malana town must pay particular attention to stick to the prescribed paths and not to touch any of the walls, houses or people there. If this does occur, visitors are expected to pay a forfeit sum that will cover the sacrificial slaughter of a lamb in order to purify the object that has been made impure. The trekkers are also made to sign a letter of consent stating that anything that happens in the village of Malana shall be sorted by the village administration and no other jurisdiction can intervene in the process. Malani people may touch impure people or houses as long as they follow the prescribed purification ritual before they enter their house or before they eat. Malanis may never accept food cooked by a non-Malani person, unless they are out of the valley. Malanis may offer visitors food but all utensils will have to undergo a strict purification ritual before they can be used again. This is also seen as a technique used by the people of Malana to protect their vested interest in the marijuana fields in the mountains above their village.
