Below the Chanderkhani pass of the Kullu valley lies a small cluster of around two hundred stone roof houses constituting a village called Malana. Its inmitable culture and the temple of the Jamlu distinguish the village.The village consist of 1500 inhabitants and has an impeccable system of administration with a higher and lower court. Guided by the spirit of the village God Jamlu. Malana stands out as an autonomous, self sufficient unit where inhabitants claim Greek ancestry.
Some stories about the village called a”little Greece”. This village in the interior of the Himalya is its architecture, language, worship rituals and autonomous administrative system. The unique geographical location of Malana. Has availed it to preserve its biodiversity and it is an ecologically heaven.
Malana is connected to kullu by three mountain passes.It can be reached from Parvati valley crossing over the Rashol pass(3180mts.) and via Nagger over the 3600mts. Beautiful chanderkhani pass. The easiest way to Malana is from Jari. Which is 23 km. far from the Malana. Chowki , A small hamlet and the nearest village to Malana. However , the people of Chowki have nothing common with the Malanese.. For the out sider, there is a long list of do’s and don’ts to be followed in the village. The people are friendly but out sider are told to keep distance and not to touch any thing in village
Malana is divided into two upper Malana(Dhara Bhed) and lower Malana (sora Bhed)
Kanashi , the language of Malana does not resemble any of the dialect spoken in its neighborhood but seems to be a mixture of Sanskrit and several Tibetan dialects.
Two important festivals are celebrated in Malana. One called Budoh Mela is celebrated in august and other called Fagli mela in Feb.