The writing on the wall of the Old Manali village in the panoramic Kullu valley is clearly Hebrew. Israelis flocking to the valley in large numbers each year has turned this once-sleepy village into a thriving Jewish enclave. Better known for its cool climes and snow-capped peaks, over the past one-and-a-half decades the overcrowded-yet-quaint cafes along the Beas river have steadily emerged as the new paradise to which thousands of Jews annually migrate for an uninterrupted treat of drugs, rock ‘n roll and nirvana. ...
According to state officials, two-thirds of the estimated 1,00,000 foreigners that visit Old Manali, Vashisht, Naggar and Kasol and villages surrounding Dharamshala are Israeli backpackers. Most of them have been discharged from the three-year compulsory military service, say officials.
In the dense forests, with an endless supply of Malana Cream hashish, the backpackers come to escape the incessant armed confrontation back home and etherize in the valley’s seemingly infinite trance parties. The Malana Cream has time and again been rated as one of the best hashish in the world at the annual Amsterdam Cannabis competition.
"From April to September, this place is so packed with Israelis that no other tourists want to come here," says Tilak Ram, who works as a part-time waiter in many of the small hotels and guesthouses in Old Manali.
"They stay for weeks, months and sometimes even years thus creating permanent Jewish settlements. As a result many traditional pahadi villages have taken on the distinct appearance of the kibbutz or Jewish settlements..."
Though young Israeli backpackers have boosted the economy of villages around Manali, residents say they prefer other foreign tourists. "Israeli backpackers are misers. They bargain over everything, even a cup of tea..."
Google appends an ad for "Kosher [Zone] Diet Home Delivery." Not sure whether the diet extends to "Manala Cream", or whether that puts you "in the Zone."
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