After deity's decree, liquor, chicken banned in Malana

Abhinav Vashisht

Kullu, December 15

Malana panchayat has imposed a ban on liquor, chicken and eggs in the remote village in Kullu district after the decree issued by the chief deity Jamdagni (Jamlu) Rishi.

No one will sell liquor. However, goat meat has not been prohibited.

Malana panchayat president Raju Ram said the village had witnessed a couple of fire incidents in which a major portion of the village, including the sanctum sanctorum of Jamlu deity, had been gutted, rendering many people homeless.

Fire the trigger

• Malana (pic) has witnessed a couple of fire incidents
• After the recent fire incident on October 27, in which 16 houses were reduced to ashes, people had taken refuge in the presiding deity and requested him to protect them from natural calamities

He said after the recent fire incident on October 27, in which 16 houses were reduced to ashes, the people had taken refuge in the presiding deity and requested him to protect them from natural calamities.

The president said, “Jamlu Devta gave his verdict through Dev Vani that due to the increasing addiction of alcohol and the use of non-vegetarian food, the sanctity of the sacred place is being disturbed. The rules of deities have been compromised and they are annoyed and to pacify them, it is necessary to improve the conduct.”

According to the panchayat head, the deity has given orders to prohibit liquor, chicken and eggs, which has been accepted by the panchayat, the deity committee and villagers and its implementation will be ensured in letter and spirit till further orders by the deity.

He said in case of disobeyance, a fine would be imposed on the violators and social boycott would be done on the repeated offence. However, the villagers and visitors can consume alcohol and chicken outside the village.

A fine of Rs 1,100 will be charged from the offender, if caught consuming alcohol or chicken. If a person is caught selling liquor, chicken or egg, he will be fined Rs 10,000 for the first instance and face social boycott, if caught the second time.

Former panchayat president Bhagi Ram said, “We have been following the orders of Jamlu Devta for centuries and this is paramount for us. The panchayat has also asked the people coming to Malana to ensure strict adherence to the prohibition rule.”