The Palki Carriers of Haji Malang

The Palki Carriers of Haji Malang, a photo by firoze shakir photographerno1 on Flickr.

The people who availed of their services are the rich, the devout who must reach Haji Malang Holy Shrine come what may, and they pay a fortune for this human tough service , in thousands but I know poor old folks who take two days to reach up, it is a tough climb.. beggars with deformed legs , with crutches , but fuck who thinks about them , the big fat rich hijra ladies use this service , the hijra gurus with varicose veins use this service from the foothills of Malangad mountains to the top.

Little kids with their parents toddlers crawlers all walk up, or carried by their parents , even sons carry their old parents on their backs ,, and this is a Indian thing and tradition..and both Hindus and Muslims come here including other communities , this is untapped virginal land totally neglected by our erstwhile government , it could have been famous but it is in dispute and sub judice I think..the righ wing Hindus have laid claim over it and earlier there used to be clashes on the first day but now its under control both communities show restrain..the cops do a great job including the community leaders and local administration.. I dont delve on this issue I come for Malang Baba and recently I became a Dam Madar Malang too, and this is Malang pilgrimage ..the other one being the Holy Shrine of Zinda Shah Madar Makanpur head seat of the Malangs of India.

The Malangs are Sufi austere monks are a fascinating community , long dread heads black clothes , here at Haji Malangs the turban is saffron and the Malangs are mostly from Gulbarga Karnataka.