Malana Village Travel Guide : The ancient Himalayan village namely Malana is nested in the Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. The mystery ancient village is located at an altitude of around 8700 feet and stands by itself amid the vivid valleys of the Malana Nala, Kullu valley and Parvati Valleys. This little town is encompassed by impressive mountain ranges of Chanderkhani and Deo Tibba.
Malana Village Travel Guide – A Journey to India’s Ancient and Isolated Community
History Of Malana:
The village is one of the oldest living democracies that is isolated from the rest of the world and is popularly known for its exceptional culture, evident history, and governance system. The people of the village believe that they are only pure ones from the Aryan race and are the ancestry of Alexander the Great’s soldiers. Malana village community structure is vastly stratified due to its geographical isolation, it has maintained its exceptional culture and traditions.
The people in the village follow an ancient form of democracy and they have a village council known as ‘Jury’, the members of the community make the decisions and people follow the rules imposed by them very strictly. Outsiders are anticipated not to touch the residents, their belongings or the village sanctuary.
The oldest Himalayan nature village is still untouched by the influence of globalization and modernization initiatives, the village is spread about 35 km but still has a lot to offer for the travelers.
‘Kanashi’ is the only language they speak; it’s a combination of Sanskrit and Tibetan and outsiders are not allowed to speak or communicate in their dialect. They worship to Jamlu Devta, who is considered as the supreme god of the village and no decisions is made without his permission. Before the hydroelectric development there was very less connection with the outside world.
The hydro project development made better road connectivity and eased for tourists and the lives of the villagers. The Malana village came into limelight due to high production of world-famous hashish known as “Malana Cream” and the main source of income of the region is from exporting the Cream. Due to it the geography of the region, no other type of crops grows except for the Cannabis plants and that’s the reason the crop is considered as the cash crop for the village. A trip to Parvati Valley is not complete if you miss out on visiting Malana village.
Rules for Tourists in Malana Village
Malana village is a land protected by customs and they wish the people from the outside of the village to respect their lifestyle and rules if you want to enjoy the beauty of the village.
- Do not touch anyone or anything in the village without their permission. You will be fined INR 3000 if you violate the rule.
- Tourists cannot speak their language ‘Kanashi’
- visiting Jamlu Devta temple or any other temple is strictly forbidden for tourists.
- If you want to take any pictures of anything in the village, ask for permission before pointing the camera
- Police are not allowed into the village and outsiders cannot get any help from the police as well. As the village has its own set of rules and regulations.
- There is no permission for outsiders to stay in the village.
- Hunting, burning wood and fixing nails on tress is not permitted without the permission of the village council.
How to Reach Malana?
The hydro project development made better road connectivity and now the route is quite straight forward. Previously, when there were no roads, one must walk for hours and days to reach the ancient village. Though the road connectivity is proper, people still need to trek to reach the village, but the trek time has been reduced to a few hours. The most common road path to the town is by taking a taxi or bus from Jhari.
By Air:
The nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport, which is 50 km away and is well connected with major cities like Delhi and Chandigarh. But there are only a few domestic flights that fly from this airport and prices are quite high. From the airport take a bus or hire a cab to reach Malana gate and hike for about 4km to reach Malana village.
By Train:
The closest railway track to Malana village is in Joginder Nagar, 135km away. At the station hire a cab or take a bus to the village, approximately 5 hours journey. But it is not connected with major cities directly. So, it recommended to catch a train from Chandigarh and Pathankot railway station, as the travel is easier compared to Joginder Nagar. From there take a bus or taxi to Bhuntar or to Jari.
By Road or By Bus:
From Delhi and Chandigarh, the road route is straight forward as it is well connected with national and state highway, if you opt traveling by a car or motorbike.
Motor Bike or Car Route: Delhi – Karnal – Ambala – Chandigarh – Bilaspur -Sundernagar – Mandi – Aut – Bhuntar – Jari – Malana Gate – Hike to Malana village.
To reach Malana village via bus journey, take a bus to reach Bhuntar from Delhi or Chandigarh. There are various private and HRTC buses that run through the route. After reaching Bhuntar take a local bus to reach Jari and from Jari take a bus or book a cab to reach Malana Gate. As already mentioned, Malana village can only be reached by a trek and the hike journey starts from Jari which is around 4 km.
Bus Route: Delhi or Chandigarh – Bhuntar- Jari- Malan Gate- 4km hike to Malana Village
Distance to Malana from various Destinations:
- Delhi to Malana Gate – 525 Km
- Chandigarh to Malana Gate – 293km
- Kasol to Malana Gate- 22km
- Manali to Malana Gate-84km
Best Time to Visit Manala:
The summer season (May to August) is considered as the best time to visit Malana village, as the weather is quite pleasant. During this period the temperature is very good for trekking and exploring the region. It is advised not to visit during the monsoon season (late June to early September) due to the risk of landslides and during the winter months (November to February) when the hiking paths are fully covered with snow which makes the trek challenging.
Things to Do in Malana Village
Malana’s Ancient Democracy:
Malana follows the oldest democratic system in the world, and it’s governed by a council known as the “Jury,” comprises of members chosen by the village community. They take all the decisions from village affairs, resources to solving disputes of people in the village
Trek to the Chanderkhani Pass:
It’s the best spot for adventure seekers, the hiking stars from Malana and you pass through the greenery forest, alpine meadows and get to experience mesmerizing views of the Deo Tibba, Pir Panjal, and Parbati ranges. This trekking trail to Chanderkhani Pass offers the best views of the Himalayas.
Jamlu Devta Temple (Jamdagni Rishi):
The antiquated sanctuary Jamlu Devta is considered as the heart of Malala, as their key divinity is Jamlu Devta. The temple is a spiritual center of Malana, built in traditional Kathkuni style and has greatest historical significance. Outsiders are not allowed to touch the wall or the temple’s artifacts as the locals have a strict devotion to its customs.
Malana Fagli Festival:
Their festivals are also quite unique, During the month of February the Malana Fagli Festival is celebrated and is also known as the Harlala mask dance. A group of villagers wear masks and cannabis leaves around them and perform a traditional dance around the village house and throw cow dung on them.
Shaun Jach Festival:
Every year on 15th August this festival is celebrated, and the villagers perform their traditional local dance, Nati, mark the changing seasons and offer their crops to the god.
Hike to the Magic Valley:
Hiking to the Magic Valley is one of the best experiences, it offers peace and gorgeous nature. It’s a short distance trek from Malana and the surrounding mountains are quite silent and get to enjoy the moments of meditation and peace.
Local Cuisines:
Don’t miss out trying the best local Himachali cuisines like Siddu, Babru, and local variants of lentils and bread.
Malana Dam:
The visit to Malana is incomplete without seeing the Malana Dam. It supplies hydroelectric power to the region, but the surprising part is that the dam stands as a symbol of development, but the village is isolated from the rest of the world. Travelers get to experience a moment of manifestation at the intersection of modernism and tradition.
Shrine of Renuka Devi:
The sanctuary is dedicated to goddess Renuka Devi and it’s a spiritual heritage site of Malana.
Dev Ropa:
Dev Ropa is considered very sacred by the locals and it’s another of the best spots for trek enthusiasts. It is a 7 day and 6-night trek that starts from Malana Dam. You get to explore Deo Tibba and Malana Glacier treks.
Parvati Valley:
This valley is considered a heaven for nature lovers surrounded by flourishing greenery, flowing waterfalls and the relaxing Parvati River. The adventures trek through the valley offers the best scenic views of the Himalayas.
Conclusion:
A trip to Malana village, himachal pradesh is not just about exploring the geographical location but it’s all about engaging oneself in the ancient village which is equipped with rich culture, history and mother nature. This small, isolated village offers you a unique blend of lifetime experiences to cherish, from the adventure trill activities to the warmth of its people.
