Mallooti in Jharkhand lies very close to the West Bengal border in the Dumka hills. Once it was the capital city under Mahadev Chandra (1680) and was known as Gupt Kashi. It was during this golden period that the terracotta temples were built here in the hundreds. The history of Mallooti however, goes back to ancient times and it was know as long ago as 185-75 BC. It was then that Pushyamitra Shunga chose it for his famous ashvamedh yajna. It was also visited by the Adi Shankaracharya on his way to Varanasi.
Today Mallooti is more like a ghost village with a large collection of beautifully carved terracotta temples. Just a few are standing; others are in various stages of decay and ruin. Though this temple village is a mere 16 km from Rampurhat it is a wonder that its ancient treasures have not been discovered by tourists. It also has a large undiscovered treasure trove of Paleolithic stone weapons with the riverbed of Shirali strewn all over with them. No one seems to care or perhaps it is a case of plenty.
This land of legends is someplace the country has forgotten. About 108 terracotta temples lie clustered in a radius of about 350 meters. This is surely important enough to be preserved. As they lie with no security they are virtual sitting ducks for vandals. Surviving centuries of nature's fury it is doubtful if they will survive for another century. The vandals and art collector's greed will probably destroy them sooner.
So do try a visit before this exquisite collection of temples becomes just a page in history books.
Mallooti was also once a great seat of learning where people came for religious studies. This capital of king Basanta dynasty became a place where people vied with each other to build temples in the Bishnupur style. Inscriptions can still be read on the temples. So walk around and admire the craftsmans work.
As dusk descends the lamps in some of the temples are lit giving the area an eerie glow. The ghost village is now ready to sleep for the night and perhaps fade into the dusk of history.
The whole year the village lies mostly deserted except for a few odd visitors. It springs to life however during Kali Puja when many residents return home and Mallooti seems alive again.
In the evening the Bamdev temple becomes the center of activity with the epics, Ramayan and Mahabharat recited on most days. It is believed that the around 1857 Swami Bamdev of Bamakhypa, came here to become a priest and stayed on. His trident is still preserved here and highly prized and venerated.