Day 13 of the "virtual (digital) tour" of places known for unusual customs, practices, mysterious phenomena. This post is part of the A to Z Challenge and Blogchatter A2Z 2026
However, the ultimate authority is not human; the village is ruled by its deity, Jamlu Devta. All major administrative decisions are believed to be direct decrees from Jamlu, communicated through a spiritual spokesperson known as the Gur.
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| Image courtesy: BBC / © Sauriêl Creative | Samantha Leigh Scholl/Alamy |
'NO TOUCHING' RULE
Perhaps the most unique custom is the village's strict taboo on physical contact. To preserve the "purity" of their community, residents prohibit outsiders from touching them, their belongings, or their sacred temples.
Touching a temple or a designated holy place can result in an immediate fine ranging from ₹2,500 to ₹3,500.
When buying items from a local shop, visitors are expected to leave their money on the counter or the ground rather than handing it directly to the shopkeeper.
Villagers have even been known to bathe immediately if they are accidentally touched by an outsider, in order to wash away the perceived misfortune.
MALANA CREAM
Beyond its customs, Malana is renowned for "Malana Cream", a strain of hashish. It is produced using a specific hand-rubbing technique that extracts resin from live cannabis plants. The possession of cannabis is illegal under Indian law.
While all these unusual customs and practices have drawn significant number of tourists, the villagers themselves remain very protective of their culture.
(Information sources: BBC, The Times of India, The Hindustan Times)
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