The Indian hinterland is full of wonders. And anyone bitten with true wanderlust will not feel wanting when it comes to exploring unique and unbeaten paths in India. One such hidden gem lies in the region of Eastern India.
Located on the Jharkhand- Bengal border is the hamlet of Maluti. It is the site of 108 temples, where you will feel as if you have entered the gates of Narnia, and lost yourself in time and space, to some other world of a bygone era.
The story begins the time of the King Basanta who was a religious person and wanted to build temples, instead of palaces. Interestingly, his clan was also fascinated about constructing shrines. The four clans competed with each other and built 108 shrines in total in the region.
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Maluti Temples not only have unique temple style but also are made out of terracotta. They don’t resemble any architectural style popular throughout India. Isolated from rest of the country, the artisans built structures uninfluenced by other regions. Hence, the temples here are extremely unique and reflect the traditional ethos of the region.
Most of the temples of Maluti follow the char–challa (four sloped roofs) form of architecture, however, there are a few flat roof temples and a single pinnacle temple. But the star attraction of Maluti temple is its intricate terracotta. The delicate carvings are the major highlight of these terracotta structures.
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The heritage village of Maluti is located on the banks of Chila river in Dumka. It has been placed on the list of ‘vanishing heritage’, because it continues to be neglected. Only few conservationists are trying to preserve this rich site.
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The village is a small one with only 350 families. There is almost no facility for accommodation. So, it is best to make it one day trip from Kolkata.
Maluti is best approachable from Rampurhat station in West Bengal, from where it is only a 16 km ride. Only autos fare from the station to the village, but the ride is made more interesting as it cuts across an abandoned airstrip from the time of World War II.
So, if you are a traveller in search of the lost worlds, you should definitely plan for Maluti.
