Malana: The untamed, untouched beauty of India.

Malana, Himachal Pradesh has been called ‘one of the oldest democracy’ in the world. The villagers believe that they have pure Aryan genes and that they are descendants of Alexander the Great’s soldiers. This village is independent of Indian law and lives by its own rules and regulations.

Having trekked to the top and seen it for myself I can assure you it is something I have never seen before. The ladies are laded with beautifully made gold jewelry and the men seem to be sitting at the village chhauraha (center) and enjoying each other's company. From the moment I entered a shepherd informed me not to touch anything as they believe themselves to be superior race and the decision they make of punishment will be final and cannot be intervened by even the Indian law enforcement.

I have to admit, I was a little intimidated, you don't get the best stares from the people there either. But they look so ethnic and beautiful. They take the untouchability so seriously that I shared a narrow path there with the villagers who were carrying wood and they stop at the side so as to not touch me on my way out. But having something so beautiful as this, I too would like it untouched and protected.

You see farms of Marijuana and Hemp which have been grown for centuries and is legal in the region. It is also the main source of income for the region as they do not entertain tourists or any outsiders. The whole place looked like what I can imagine an old, regal Afghanistan would have been like. Man is allowed to have multiple wives and I only saw women doing farming in the region while men relaxed and enjoyed a good smoke.

I tried finding a local market to buy some jewelry given my love for one of a kind thing. I was told there isn't any and what people are wearing are made by themselves and not for sale. The beauty and uniqueness of this place both scared and amused me.

Kasol is the nearest big town and is a base camp for hikers from Ukraine and Russia. The menu's too are available in these languages.

Below are some images I could click. PS I was very scared to take pictures, as I didn't want to offend the villagers.

#Art #Culture #India #Malana #Marijuana #Hemp #Unique #Tribal #Secret #Democracy #Harvarddivinityschool #Himachalpradesh #Tourism #Hikking #Athropology #Culturalstudy #Cluturallearning #Uniquesocieties #Triballiving #Lovefortravel #travel #tourism #HarvardschoolofArt