Malinithan Temple

Rules to know

• Indian citizens need an eILP to visit.
• A tourist eILP is valid for a stay of up to 14 days.
• Foreign nationals may apply for a PAP or RAP.

Why devotees come here

Malinithan is the stone ruin of an early medieval temple on a hill by the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in Arunachal Pradesh. The temple is carved entirely out of stone, and the tribal deity Kechai-Khaiti is considered its chief deity.

Malinithan is an archaeological site with the ruins of an early medieval temple. Legend says Krishna and Rukmini stopped here on their way to Dwarka. There they were guests of Shiva and Durga, who were doing penance. In the 16th century, Srimanta Sankardev linked the place to Bhishmaka, the mythological king of Vidarbha. These are legends, not settled history.

Archaeologists have opined that the temple belonged to the 13th century. The temple is of a type known as Asmamayai. It is only assumed that the Chutia kings built it in the 13th or 14th century, so the builders and the date are not settled. Excavations revealed a carved plinth of the temple, 8 feet (2.4 m) high, with sculptures of deities and animals.

Four lion sculptures on two elephants were found, one at each corner of the ruins. Notable granite carvings show Indra riding Airavata, Kartikeya riding a peacock, Surya on a chariot and Ganesha mounted over a mouse. The ruins stand on a hill that affords a commanding view of the plains and the Brahmaputra River. The state tourism site describes the ruin as having rich sculptural and architectural value.

Tips for your visit

• A Times of India report names Likabali as part of the Likabali-Basar-Aalo-Mechuka tourism circuit.
• Likabali was the temporary headquarters of Lower Siang district when the district began in 2017.

Questions people ask