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The Akashiganga temple is 12-km from Malinithan, West Siang District, Arunachal Pradesh. It is one of the famous pilgrimage site for devotees from all around the country.

Akashiganga Temple in Arunachal Pradesh is been believed to be associated with the legend of goddess Parvati narrated in the 8th century Kalika Purana. It has been said that Lord Shankar was moving around all over universe with the dead body of Parvati (Sati). With the intension to take him out of attachment for the dead body Lord Vishnu using his 'Sudarshan Chakra' cut the body of Sati into pieces.

During this incident it is said that all the pieces of the body of sati fell in different parts of the earth and one of the body piece fell in the area which is 12-km from Malinithan in West Siang District. So this place is called Akashi Ganga and is very popular as a sacred place.

According to another local legend associated with this place, Lord Krishna carried away Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhismaka on her marriage with Shishupal. Then Krishna and Rukmini were welcomed here by Parvati with garlands. Parvati thus got the name as Malini and the place Malinithan.

The temple is placed at Likabali. Malinithan is famous for its excavations of the ruins of temples belonging to the 14th-15th century. The ruins include sculptures of Indra and Airavata, Surya and Nandi Bull. Also to see are the Akash-Ganga waterfalls about 5 km away from Malinithan where people go to take a bath to wash away their sins. The languages spoken here are Hindi, Assamese and English.


The temple of Malinithan is dedicated to Goddess Durga and it is built keeping the classical style of Orissa as a model. The popularity of Malinithan as a holy place of worship brings a large number of tourists as well as pilgrims. From the temple if one goes down 100 meters down through a spiral path, a sparkling object can be seen in the 'Kund' where the devotees take bath.

This temple holds great significance due to which devotees from different corners come in large numbers every year. The devotees come to pray for their wish and even offer their gifts to the Goddess after the fulfillment of their wish.

Ruins of Durga Temples, the Relics of stone images of Malinithan came to be noted from the early excavation of the 20th century. In due course of excavation between 1968 and 1971 ruins of temples and valuable scriptures were unearthed at this site.

The fame of Malinithan as a holy place of worship draws a large number of tourists and piligrims. The temple at Malinithan is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is built on the classical tradition of Orissa.

Nearby tourist places to Malinithan Temple Itanagar Tezpur

The best time to visit this temple is from November to February.

1. By Road- Malinithan is just 12-km away from Akashiganga which is easily accessible by bus or a car. One can also reach Malinithan by bus or car from Guwahati (Assam), as well as by bus from Itanagar.


2. Nearby cities to the temple are Likabali: 23-km, Malinithan: 12-km, Lilabari: 67km.


3. Nearest airport to reach the temple is at Lilabari.


4. The nearest railway station is at Silapathar.


5. One can reach Malinithan by bus or car from Silapathar.