Malana, known for hashish, ‘keeps’ pandemic at bay!

Manali: Malana, known for Malana Cream, the most sought-after forms of hashish across the globe, has kept outsiders and the Covid-19 pandemic at bay – an uphill task for the ancient Himalayan village where the legend of Alexander the Great lives on – when the entire country is battling with the second wave.

The coronavirus is no stranger to Himachal Pradesh with a positivity rate above 30 per cent in half of the state. But the naturally secluded village Malana, with no motorable roads, in the far end of Parvati Valley has been saying no to strangers virtually since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020.

One of the largest villages in Kullu district, it had a population of about 2,350 where the banned cannabis is the source of prime livelihood.

But so far not even a single Covid case has been reported from Malana, say doctors. Also, not a single person in the village has been inoculated.

Health workers say the village head has barred their entry to the village. The locals, known as Malanis, believe only with the permission from the local deity, Lord Jamlu, the outsiders will be allowed to meet them.

Malana panchayat head Raju Ram said the locals were allowed to leave the village only in case of an exigency. “Also the outsiders are barred from their entry to the panchayat owing to our self-imposed tough restrictions on their movement. We don’t need the vaccine as there is no case of coronavirus so far in the entire panchayat,” he said, adding, “even our deity has warned us against the vaccine”.

The Malana inhabitants, who proclaim themselves as descendants of the Greek king, are very sensitive to their cultural heritage and religious beliefs. They considered outsiders an untouchable.

The locals say they don’t believe in wearing face mask, and maintaining physical distance. They say such restrictions are against the wishes of the deity.