Malinithan Temple

Goddess Malini (Parvati)

Likabali, Lower Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh

Folktale & Sacred Story

Malinithan's best-known legend concerns Krishna and Rukmini. As the story goes, Krishna, wishing to marry Rukmini, abducted her before her arranged wedding to Shishupala. Travelling toward Dwarka, the couple rested at this hillock, where they were received as guests by Shiva and Parvati; Parvati presented garlands woven from flowers of her own garden, and Krishna, enchanted by their fragrance, addressed her as "Malini," mistress of the garland, giving the site its name. Scholarship on the site notes this narrative appears to have been popularized in the 16th century through the Assamese Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardev's poem Rukminiharana; the deity originally worshipped at the ruined temple is understood by scholars to be Kechai-Khati, a tribal mother goddess traditionally served by tribal Deori priests.

Most Revered Practice

Malinithan today functions as an active pilgrimage site where devotees offer prayers to the goddess (worshipped popularly as Malini/Durga/Parvati) at a rebuilt temple, alongside continued veneration of the original ruins as a sacred archaeological monument.

Prasadam & Offerings

Prasadam details not independently verified — confirm locally.

Temple Speciality

Malinithan is one of the few sites in Northeast India where a medieval Hindu temple was built entirely of dressed granite stone rather than brick. Archaeological excavations between 1968 and 1971 uncovered an elaborately carved temple plinth along with granite sculptures of Indra, Kartikeya, Surya, Ganesha and a large Nandi bull. Generally attributed to the Chutia kings of the 13th-14th century, the site is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and sits atop a 21-metre hillock with views over the Brahmaputra plains.

Why Pilgrims Visit

Malinithan rewards both devotees and history enthusiasts: it combines a cherished legend of Krishna, Rukmini, Shiva and Parvati with genuine, ASI-documented medieval stone carving rarely found elsewhere in Northeast India.

History & Legend

Ruins of stone temples on a hillock, believed to date to the 14th-15th century, associated in legend with the Mahabharata-era sage Chyavana and linked culturally to nearby Assam's Vaishnavite heritage.

Divine Significance

Local lore ties the site to divine narratives from the Puranas; it remains a revered pilgrimage and archaeological spot for the region's Hindu and tribal communities alike.

Darshan Timings

Generally reported as open daily from around 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with no entry fee (please confirm exact timings with the temple before visiting, as they vary by season and festival).

How To Reach

Nearest airport: Lilabari (Assam), nearest railway station: Silapathar (Assam); the site is a short drive from Likabali town.

Where To Stay

Basic guesthouses in Likabali and Along; more options are available across the state border in Assam's Dhemaji.

Local Food Nearby

Likabali is a small town with modest, local dining options; the surrounding Adi tribal cuisine features dishes such as Galho (rice with meat, vegetables and bamboo shoots) and Apong, a traditional fermented rice beer.

Contact & Official Info

Contact Arunachal Pradesh Tourism for current visiting arrangements.

Location Map

View on Google Maps → (27.65667, 94.70583)