In Likabali, Arunachal Pradesh, Malinithan Temple is a shrine to Krishna and Rukmini legend site, associated with Shakta goddess worship. It is also known as Malinithan Ruins.
One of the most important archaeological and pilgrimage sites in Arunachal Pradesh, Malinithan is valued both as a Hindu sacred site tied to the Krishna-Rukmini legend and as physical evidence of a prosperous pre-Ahom Hindu polity in the region, showing a synthesis of Hindu and local tribal religious traditions. Malinithan is an archaeological ruin site on a hillock on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, near Likabali in Lower Siang district.
Arunachal Pradesh carries a distinct temple identity of its own: India's easternmost state, home to ancient archaeological pilgrimage sites like Malinithan and the major bathing tirtha of Parashuram Kund.
Darshan hours and daily worship
Published sources do not give a single clean daily window for this temple; see the notes below for what is documented.
Specific daily darshan timings were not found in verifiable sources; it is maintained as an Archaeological Survey of India protected site.
History and architecture
Architecture
Stone (granite) temple complex on an 8-foot-high carved plinth, blending Orissan (Kalinga) and local Himalayan styles, with lion-on-elephant sculptures at the corners and carved panels of Indra on Airavata, Kartikeya on a peacock, Surya in his chariot, Ganesha on a mouse, and a large Nandi bull
History
Malinithan is an archaeological ruin site on a hillock on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra, near Likabali in Lower Siang district. Excavations conducted between 1968 and 1971 uncovered a carved temple platform, damaged columns, and granite sculptures of several deities. Local legend, tied to the 16th century Vaishnavite reformer Srimanta Sankardev's retelling, holds that Krishna and Rukmini rested here while fleeing to Dwarka, and that Rukmini's companion Malini stayed back, giving the site its name. Archaeologists also link the site to the tribal goddess Kechaikhati/Pishasi and to Shakta worship traditions shared with the Bodo-Kachari groups of the Brahmaputra valley.
Planning your visit
How to reach
Located about 1 km from Likabali town in Lower Siang district, Arunachal Pradesh, on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra river.
Where this information comes from
Confidence: Medium. Dating varies across sources (10th-14th century range vs. 13th-14th century attribution to the Chutia kings); no verified timings, entry fee, or festival calendar found