Maluti Temple Village
Maluti Temple Village Jharkhand — 72 Terracotta Temples from the 17th Century in Dumka District
The Village of 72 Terracotta Temples — Jharkhand's Hidden Heritage Marvel
About Maluti Temple Village
Maluti is a heritage village in Dumka district, Jharkhand, containing 72 terracotta temples built between the 17th and 18th centuries by the Baj Basanta royal dynasty. It is recognized by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) as a heritage village. The temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Goddess Durga, Vishnu, and various folk deities, and are known for their ornate terracotta panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and local tribal mythology.
Maluti's 72 temples are concentrated in a small rural village — walking the village lanes, you encounter a new intricately carved terracotta shrine at almost every turn, many draped in moss and reclaimed by time. The terracotta relief panels are the artistic highlight: each temple's outer walls are decorated with detailed miniature scenes depicting divine figures, mythological narratives, and everyday village life from three centuries ago. Despite its ASI recognition, Maluti remains largely undiscovered by mainstream tourism — offering an authentic, uncrowded cultural experience that is genuinely rare in India today. Maluti is located 35 km from Dumka town and is best combined with a visit to Baidyanath Dham (Deoghar) as part of the Santhal Pargana cultural circuit.
Quick Info
October to March
Dumka
heritage
Frequently Asked Questions About Maluti Temple Village
Common questions about visiting Maluti Temple Village, Jharkhand
Maluti village contains 72 terracotta temples, most built between the 17th and 18th centuries by the Baj Basanta royal dynasty. The temples are dedicated to various Hindu deities including Shiva, Durga, Vishnu, and folk deities of the Santhal Pargana region.
Maluti is famous for its extraordinary cluster of 72 terracotta temples from the 17th to 18th century, recognized by the Archaeological Survey of India. It is known for intricate terracotta relief panels depicting scenes from the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and local mythology. The village is sometimes called the 'Temple Village of Eastern India.'
Maluti is approximately 80 km from Deoghar — drive to Dumka town (80 km from Deoghar) and then 35 km to Maluti. Many visitors combine Maluti with a Baidyanath Dham pilgrimage in Deoghar on a 2-day itinerary through the Santhal Pargana region.
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