Malinithan Mandir, Likabali

Malinithan Mandir

Location: Malinithan is an archaeological temple site in Lower Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, near Likabali, close to the Assam-Arunachal border.

“मालिनीथान की देवी केवल पत्थर की मूर्ति नहीं, पहाड़ों में गूंजती माँ की शक्ति की पुकार हैं।”

― Malinithan Mandir

Era: Excavations suggest the original temple was built between the 13th and 14th centuries, with some sources extending the range to the 10th–14th century AD.

Mythological Significance & History

Location: Malinithan is an archaeological temple site in Lower Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, near Likabali, close to the Assam-Arunachal border.
Era: Excavations suggest the original temple was built between the 13th and 14th centuries, with some sources extending the range to the 10th–14th century AD.
Legend: According to myth, during their journey from Bhismaknagar to Dwarka, Lord Krishna and Rukmini rested here and were garlanded by Parvati, whom Krishna fondly called Malini—thus the name Malinithan (“Abode of Malini”).
The site was later archaeologically excavated (1968–71), uncovering remnants of a stone temple, sculptures, and structural relics.

Significance of the Temple

Archaeological Value: The site holds a rare example of stone temple architecture (Asmamayai style) in Northeast India, crafted with granite and constructed without mortar—using iron dowels similar to those in Tamreswari temple.
Sculptures Unearthed: Notable granite carvings include:
Indra on Airavata
Kartikeya on a peacock
Surya on his chariot
Ganesha on a mouse
A massive Nandi bull
Erotic Maithuna depictions suggest tantric fertility rites, while a decapitated female figure is believed to represent Goddess Malini or Pupane, a tribal Mother Goddess.