Malinithan

Malinithan, the name of a tiny temple site still remains one of the must see tourist spots in Arunachal Pradesh. Nestled in the calm and beautiful Siang hills in the Likabali area, the tourist spot is known for the relics of stone images. A slew of excavations from 1968 has thrown some lights of the real story after the discovery of the ruins of temples apart from some scriptures. Since then, Malinithan started beckoning thousands of foreign and domestic tourists.

The domestic pilgrims, mostly, call Malinithan a place of worship after the excavations recovered a huge temple basement comprising temple, images, idols of deities and animal motifs.

The researchers and historians get no less lead to carry on their works once they catch a glimpse of the rare granite sculptures which really belong to 14 century. The striking feature for the pilgrims and tourists are the idol of Indra on Airavat (elephant), Surya (The Sun) on a chariot and huge bull which belongs to the Lord Shiva. Apart from this is the wonderful Durga temple which was built on the classical tradition of Odisha.

The local legend has it that the Lord Krishna took away Rukmini on the eve of her marriage with Shishupal to be received by the goddess Parvati with a (mala) garland in this place. The goddess Parvati is also known as Malini and her abode is called the Malinithan.

Now the tourist spot is well connected. The nearest airports are Mohanbari where it requires a journey of 60 kms. From Mohanbari it needs a 95 km journey to reach Malinithan. Chopper services are available from Dibrugarh and Guwahati.

Bus and sumo services are also available.

The nearest railway station to this ideal tourist spot is Silapathar Railway Station in Assam which is 10 km away.

By road the travel is more pleasant from the Likabali bus stop and the Silapathar bus stand.