History and Significance of Malinithan Temple

Malinithan Temple was an impressive temple that is now completely in ruins. It is located amid the foothills of the Siang hills, just a kilometre from Likabali. These temple ruins were discovered in the 20th century, between 1968 and 1971. The remains unearthed around the temple show that it was constructed with granite stones during the period of Aryan influence in the region, which is unusual because most temples in the Northeast were made from bricks.

Location of the Temple

Arunachal Pradesh is, without a doubt, one of India’s most attractive states. The exquisite beauty and marvellous structures only add to the state’s awe-inspiring splendour. One such structure, the Malinithan temple, is of enormous archaeological and mythological significance in this area. Malinithan is a restricted monument that contains the ruins of an early mediaeval Hindu temple, making it archaeologically significant. It is near the beautiful town of Likabali in Arunachal Pradesh and is situated in the foothills of the Siang mountains. The temple is on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra river. 

Excavations at Malinithan

Malinithan is a temple that has fallen into disrepair. Since the twentieth century, fragments of stones from the Malinithan temple have been discovered. Ruins of temples and precious scriptures were discovered during a series of excavations in 1968 and ended in 1971. Malinithan’s reputation as a holy place of prayer attracts many pilgrims. Archaeological evidence reveals that the temple was constructed of granite stones instead of the bricks used in most other temples in the Northeast. 

Excavations uncovered a well-designed and carved temple platform, statues of deities, animals, including flowers, and damaged columns. At the four corners of the temple ruins, four statues of lions riding two elephants were discovered. Indra riding Airavat, Kartikeya riding his peacock, Surya riding on his chariot, Ganesha riding his mouse, and a gigantic Nandi were some of the granite statues discovered. A fascinating sculpture of a girl without a head was discovered that is considered to be of Goddess Durga. She is regarded as Pupane or the Divine Mother to the locals.

Historical and archaeological significance

The archaeological digs uncovered a temple plinth with sculptures of deities or animals, floral motifs, and ruined columns with panels, all of which were very finely designed and crafted. Four sculptures of lions riding two elephants are discovered at the four corners of the temple’s ruins. Tantricism is thought to have reigned here as a fertility rite of the primordial tribal people, based on the erotic Maithuna sculptures that can be seen in various postures. The temple is an Asmamayai temple, meaning it is entirely made of stone. Iron dowels found in the stone temple ruins mimic those found in Sadiya’s Kameswari temple, indicating that a certain people had constructed it.

Divine pictures, deity iconography, animal patterns and floral decorations, and carved columns with panels can be seen in the ruins. The granite sculptures uncovered are believed to belong to the 14th-15th century. These include Indra on Airavat (elephant), Surya (Sun God) on a chariot, Mayurasan (peacock-seat) with more than 100 gods and goddesses on it, dancing Yakshis, images of amorous twins on the arch, and a colossal Nandi bull. There is also a Shivalinga built of phallic stone here. Malinithan’s temple is devoted to Goddess Durga and therefore is designed in the Orissan classical era. According to a Purana, Sri Krishna and his recently married wife Rukmini Devi asked for Goddess Parvati’s blessings on their route to Dwarka from Bhismaknagar (also spelt Bhismaknagar). Devi Parvati presented a wreath to the newlywed couple. The garland’s stringing was so unusual that Krishna dubbed Devi Parvati ” Sucharu Malini,” which translates to “a lady who weaves garlands perfectly,” therefore the name Malinithan.

Conclusion

The architectural model of the Likabali Malinithan sets it apart from all other Hindu temples in North East India. Instead of bricks, it is constructed from granite. It lies roughly 174 kilometres from Itanagar, across the Siang Hills, and on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River. The site has now been uncovered with remnants of the Malinithan temple, dating from the 10th to 14th century. The Malinithan temple’s unique carvings and amazing architecture have made it famous all over the planet.