Malinithan temple is one of the
prominent religious sites of Arunachal Pradesh. This religious site is placed
at the foot of Siang hills,which falls under the Likabali Sub-Division of West Siang District of the state. The temple is situated at a mere distance of about 1 km towards east of Likabali.
Attractions
Malinithan temple, dedicated to
Goddess Durga, has been structured in a traditional style of Orissa architecture.
Now, most of the parts of the temple are in the state of ruins. The temple is
dedicated to Goddess Durga and it is considered as one of the popular
pilgrimage centers of the region. The excavation between the years of 1968 to
1971 had resulted in the discovery of temples and valuable scriptures at this
place. Further excavations during the early 20th century unearthed
the various idols of Gods and Goddess. Among these the most significant ones are
of God Indra, on top of an elephant, the Sun God, on a chariot and the Nandi
Bull. Due to the popularity of this place as a holy site a large number of
tourists come over here from different parts of the country.
Tourists visiting this temple can also
opt to visit the captivating Akash-Ganga waterfalls, located at a distance of
about 5 km from the temple. Devotees visiting the Malinithan temple generally
make it a point to visit these waterfalls, as it is believed that by taking a
bath under these falls will wash their sins away. Another interesting part of this place is a
Kund, located at a distance of about 100 m, which is also considered to be a
perfect place for taking a holy bath.
Legend
As according to the legend associated
with this temple, when Lord Krishna carried away Rukmini, the daughter of King
Bhismaka, on the eve of her marriage with Shishupal, he stopped at Malinithan.
On their visit, Lord Krishna and Rukmini were warmly welcomed by Goddess
Parvati with garlands. Hence, Goddess Parvati also came to be known as Malini
and the place was named after her as Malinithan.
Best Time to
Visit
The best time to visit the temple is
from the months of April to October.
Accommodation
Malinithan offers very limited option
for accommodation with a Circuit House and an Inspection Bungalow. While on a
visit to this temple, tourists and devotees can also opt to stay at Likabali,
which is dotted with various budget and mid budget hotels and lodges.
How to Reach
By Air: The nearest airports to
this temple are Mohanbari Airport and Lilabari Airport in Assam, which are
located at the distance of about 60 km and 95 km respectively. Tourists can
also opt for the helicopter services that are available from Guwahati to
Dibrugarh. Bus and hired taxi services are available from the airport to
Malinithan.
By Rail: The closest airport to the
temple is Silapathar Railway Station in Assam, located at a distance of about
10 km. Bus and hired taxi services are available outside the station to
Malinithan.
By Road: The place is well
connected through road with major cities within the state and Assam. But it is
advisable to opt for sturdy vehicles while getting to this place, as the roads
are note well maintained. The Likabali bus stop and the Silapathar bus stand
are the closest bus stands to Malinithan temple.
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