Along,

West Siang

Arunachal Pradesh

India

Local dialects

October To March

+91-3783

Ram Krishna Mission Ashram and one of the Shaktipeeths of India

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Situated right in the middle of the North eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, Along is far away from the capital of Itanagar.

One of the border towns of Arunachal with Assam it is a gateway to the various bountiful beauties of nature. One of the older towns of Arunachal on the Sipu River Along is famous for its Ramakrishna Mission Ashram and the recently built Dayani Polo temple, the Sun and moon temple, the presiding Hindu deities of the region. The Akashi Ganga falls are 25 km from Along on the road to Assam. It is one of the Shakti Piths present in the Country. It is said that the head of Sati fell here and a stream that emerges flows downwards. Hence the place got the name Akashi Ganga falls. Another place to visit is the Malinithan ancient temple. This temple has been excavated which is dedicated to God Malini, a form of Goddess Parvati. It is said that when Krishna married Rukmini, he came here to take the blessings of the Goddess who in return gifted them with a beautiful garland. The flowers were stringed so beautifully that Lord Krishna called her Malini, hence the name Malinithan.
The temple that got excavated from this place in the late 60s of the last century has a beautifully decorated basement of the temple. The carvings seem to be from the 14th and the 15th century and are beautiful. They present the nymphs and floral patterns and various seductive postures of the normal ladies. The temple has a huge Shiva Lingam with the Nandi, and though in ruins presents its glorifying days when it would have been built.