Chausathi Yogini Temple

Chausathi Yogini Temple- the home of 64 yogini, located 15-km south east of Bhubaneswar in a small picturesque village called Hirapur, is dedicated to goddess Shakti or Mahamaya (Yogini Goddesses). Made of black chlorite stone, Yogini Temple also known as Chausati Yogini temple (Chausati – 64) or Mahamaya Temple, is one among the four Yogini temples of India and second of its kind in Orissa. The temple reflects the role of feminine power in the religious practices of Orissa.

There are sixty yoginis on the inner wall oblong niches encircling the devi mandap. The largest statue is that of ‘Mahamaya’. The mandap is adorned with 4 chlorite statues – on the southern side, two statues of ten-armed “Swacchanda Bhairava” (Blissful fearsome Shiva) and on the eastern side, the four-armed “Ajaikapada Bhairava” (Shiva standing on one leg), and one statue of ten-armed Swacchanda Bhairava all with urdhvalinga (erect phallus or idyphallic). The western and northern faces of the mandap contain three more chlorite yoginis. 61st of the original 64 yogini statues is missing . The outer walls are adorned with 9 Katyayanis. Katyayani, as per Skanda Puarana, is the the mother of Skanda. So the 9 katyanis are 9 different forms of the Mother goddess. On the entrance, there are two statues on the inner walls, and are identified as Kala and Mahakala. Kala and Mahakala, are understood to be the energy forms of Lord Shiva.

Images of Chausathi Yogini Temples

Built in the 9th century by Bhauma and Somavamsi rulers of Orissa, the temple is constructed in a circular structure, with 30 feets in diameter. The images of the 64 yoginis, which are said to be the 64 incarnations of goddess Shakti (Parvathi) are placed inside the sanctum, with the chief female deity, Mahamaya wrapped up in red clothes and vermilion, while the others in skirts held by an ornate girdle worn low on the hips. All the images of the yoginis are adorned with necklaces, garlands, armlets, bangles, anklets, earrings etc. The temple has many sculptures on its outer walls. Large number of devotees gathered here to worship the Goddesses on a belief of attaining supernatural powers.

How to reach there:

There are two approach roads to the temple, both converging some 500 mtrs away from the temple on a semi-tarred road. a) Road 1: Keep going on the Bhubaneswar – Puri Road. Once you see Dhauli Stupa, keep an eye on the left side. There is a distinct board showing the road directions. b) Road 2: This is a more convenient route. Take the Tankapani (pronounced as Ton-co-pany) Road from Ravi -Talkies Square (RTS). Keep going straight to Gangua (also called Bhargavi by some accounts) river (This would come after you have crossed Rajarani Temple on the right-600 mtrs from RTS, Bhaskareshwar Temple on the left-3 or 4 Kms from RTS on the left, Megheshwar Temple-5 Kms from RTS on left, Sai Temple-7 Kms from RTS on left and another 2 to 3 Kms through the fields). Cross the bridge over the river and take the immediate right. Keep following the road signs or ask locally for the temple.

What time to go there:

Go around 9am. This is the time when the morning Pujas would be over and the people would be there to guide you. Non-monsoon time of the year is good. Avoid the monsoons. There is a pond nearby which gets flooded during the monsoons. Even the Gangua River gets flooded during the monsoons if the downpour is heavy. Durga Puja time would be crowded.