Malinithan located at Likabali is a place of great devotement, associated with the legend of Lord Krishna. The legend behind the place is that Krishna and Rukmini rested here on their way from Bhismakanagar to Dwarka and they were offered very fine flowers by Parvati.Krishna pleased with the offering praised Parvati and addressed her as Malini-Mistress of Garland.
It is believed that, the place came to be known as Malinithan since then. It is a temple site in ruins. TEMPLES Ruins Of Durga Temple : Relics of stone images of Malinithan came to be noted from the early twenties of the present century. In course of series of excavation from 1968 and ending 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 visitors and piligrims.
The site excavated has beautifully designed and decorated basement of a temple, divine images, icons of deities, animal motifs and floral designs, carved columns and panels. These rich granite sculptures that are discovered belong to 14th -15th century, the more important being 'Indra' on Airavat or Airabat (elephant), 'Surya' (Sun God) on Chariot, Mayurasan (peacock-seat) along with more than 100 Gods And Goddesses, dancing Yakshi, Images of erotic twins on the arch and a huge 'Nandi' bull.
A Shivalinga, made of falic stone is also present over here. The temple at Malinithan is dedicated to Goddess Durga and is built on the classical tradition of Orissa. A Legend According to a Purana, on the way to Dwarka from Bhismaknagar (also spelt as Bhishmaknagar), Sri Krishna with his newly married wife Rukmini Devi begged blessings of Goddess Parvati. Devi Parvati greeted the newly married couple with wreath. So unique was the stringing of the garland that overwhelmed Krishna called Devi Parvati as " Sucharu Malini", meaning, a lady who strings garlands beautifully - hence from Malini to Malinithan being the name.
Likabali
