Akashiganga is located about 12km from Malinithan Town in the West Siang District of Arunachal Pradesh. This small pilgrim center and its surrounding area are situated at the foot of the Siang hills.
Akashiganga is one of the most significant pilgrimages located in the north eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh in India.
This place is believed to be associated with the legend of Parvati (Sati) mentioned in the 8th century Kalika Purana. The legend says that Lord Shiva after seeing the dead body of Sati could not resist himself from anger and started doing Tandava (the dance of destruction). To bring him out of attachment for the dead body of Sati and save the world from destruction, Lord Vishnu used his `Sudarshan Chakra` to cut the body into pieces. It is believed that the head of Sati fell in this area. The place is, therefore, held high in esteem as a pithasthan where the devoted Hindus on pilgrimage take a holy dip in a nearby water-pool formed by the falls. The place provides a magnificent bird’s eye view of the Brahmaputra glimmering far below.
There are many ancient temples of which many are in ruins. These holy temples belonging to the 10th and 12th century attest to the stories and lores that are commonly believed by the pilgrims at large. There are ruins of rock temples at the foot of the waterfalls. At the foot of the fountain, there is a rock which has the semblance of a forehead.
Sacred Kund at Akashi Ganga Temple
The Sacred Kund is located around 100 meters from the Akashiganga Temple. Devotees need to go downwards through the spiral path that leads to the temple. The major tourist attraction is that from far one can see some glittering thing at the Kund. But as one gets closer the shining object disappears. Due to this phenomenon devotees consider it as a holy Kund. Devotees take a holy dip in the sacred pond and it is believed that the Kund has some medicinal value for curing any kind of disease. The pilgrims make it a point to dip in the waters near the falls believing it to be a sacred rite.
The place is a revered pilgrimage location for Hindus who visit in very large numbers on the day of the Makar Sankranti, to take bath in the holy water fall to wash off their sins.
Source:
http://www.hindudevotionalblog.com/2012/07/akashiganga-temple-arunachalpradesh.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Akashiganga_water_falls
http://westsiang.nic.in/tourism.html