Malinithan
| Malinithan | |
|---|---|
|
Ruins of Malinithan temple | |
  Malinithan Malinithan in Likabali | |
| Geography | |
| Coordinates | 27°39′24″N 94°42′21″E / 27.65667°N 94.70583°ECoordinates: 27°39′24″N 94°42′21″E / 27.65667°N 94.70583°E |
| Country | India |
| State/province | Arunachal Pradesh |
| District | Lower Siang district |
| Locale | Likabali |
| History and governance | |
| Date built | 14th to 15th centuries |
| Website | |
Malinithan is an archeeological site which consists of ruins of a Hindu temple of the early medieval period on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. The archaeological studies of the ruins indicate that the temple was built with granite stones during the period of Aryan influence in the region, distinct from the other temples in the northeastern region built with bricks.[1][2] Durga is believed to be the chief deity who was worshipped in the ruined temple in her Shakthi form.[3]
Location
Malinithan archaeological site is located at the base of the Siang mountains in the Likabali town and a sub-Division of the Lower Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh.[1][4] It is situated on a hill that rises to a height of 21 metres (69 ft), which gives a commanding view of the plains around it and the Brahmaputra River.[5]
Legend
In local mythology it is said that when Lord Krishna who wanted to marry Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmaka, the king of Vidarbha, he abducted her prior to her wedding with Shishupala. They then traveled from Bhishmakanagar to Dwarka, and on the way stopped over at Malinithan where they were guests of Shiva and Durga who were doing penance. Parvati, Shiva's consort, warmly welcoming her guests, presented them with garlands made of flowers plucked from her orchard.[1][5][6] Then Krishna was so much enamored by the beauty and the scent of the flowers that he addressed Parvati as Malini, meaning "the mistress of the garden", and since then the place is named as Malinithan.[7] In another legend it is said that an image of a female without the head, which was unearthed during the excavations, represented Malini who was the lover of Shiva.[6] The image of the goddess Durga found here is also known as "Pupane", an ancient name for the Divine Mother.[6]
History
Based on the archaeological finds of worship by people of Shiva cult and the sculptures found of Durga, a Shiva linga and a bull, the mount of Shiva, it is conjectured by archaeologists that Shakti cult was practiced in the region. Further confirmation of the prevalence of Shakti cult is based on a copper plate inscription of the Pala Kings which confirms that an Aryan colony on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra existed in the northeastern region where and worship of Shiva and Parvati was in vogue.[8] It was one of the three leading centers of Shaktism, the other two centers are stated to be Bhaghawati, the mother goddess at Gorehoga village in North Lakhimpur, and Hahithan in Dhakuakhan in the west end Tamareswari in the east. There was also then the influence of the Vasudeva cult, the earliest form of Vaishnavism in Assam which was followed during the reign of Mahabhuti Varman (554 AD).[9] From all archaeological evidences at the site, archaeologists have opined that the temple belonged to the early medieval period in India.[10]
Features
The archaeological excavations revealed a very well designed and carved plinth of a temple, of 8 feet (2.4 m) height, sculptures of deities and animals, designs of flowers, damaged columns and panels.[1] Four sculptures of lions on two elephants were found at the four corners of the ruins of the temple. The architects of the temple are said to be skilled craftsmen who were brought from Aryan India, outside of Assam.[8]
Among the sculptures found at Malinthan five notable ones carved out of granite stone are of Indra riding his mount Airavata, Kartikeya riding a peacok, Surya (Sun) riding a chariot, and Ganesha mounted over a mouse, and a large Nandi bull.[5] On the basis of the erotic Maithuna sculptures found here in different postures it is believed that tantricism prevailed here as a fertility rite of the primitive tribal people who held the "mother principal as the procreative power of nature".[6]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "Malini Than". Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Retrieved 3 May 2015.
- ↑ Tripathy 2008, pp. 351-355.
- ↑ Tripathy 2008, pp. 350-351.
- ↑ "Likabali". Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- 1 2 3 Sali 1998, p. 148.
- 1 2 3 4 Tripathy 2008, p. 351.
- ↑ Tripathy 2008, p. 11.
- 1 2 Tripathy 2008, pp. 353-55.
- ↑ Tripathy 2008, p. 354.
- ↑ Tripathy 2008, p. 355.
Bibliography
- Sali, M. L. (1 January 1998). India-China Border Dispute: A Case Study of the Eastern Sector. APH Publishing. ISBN 978-81-7024-964-1.
- Tripathy, Byomakesh (1 January 2008). Religious History of Arunachal Pradesh. Gyan Publishing House. ISBN 978-81-212-1002-7.