Rhesus Macaque

Shimla,29-03-1994. There are about as many mokeys, the Rhuesus Macaque, as there are black crows in any given city in India. Especially at Jakhu Temple which is just a short walk outside town on top of a pine forested hill. These ugly looking, short tailed and reddish brown monkeys are everywhere. But then the Jakhu Temple is dedicated to Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god. In my hotel the staff seems to enjoy jumping up and down the iron corrugated roof, the exact meaning behind this practice is as yet beyond me. As in any other hill station in the Himalayas these hardly looking kullies with their many times repaired narrow ended pants and dirty vests, carry everything imaginable on their back up to the town. From gas cilindres to whole house doors, up and down, up and down these small non asfalted mountain paths. The rich and weel to do indian holyday makers in their best suits and dresses don t seem to mind letting them carry their packs and suitcases as well given them a few tattered Rp. notes. The kullies make a bit of spare money hotel touting.