THE CHAUSATH YOGINI TEMPLE, HIRAPUR (ODISHA),INDIA

 THE CHAUSATH YOGINI TEMPLE, HIRAPUR(ODISHA),INDIA

The Chausath Yogini Temple ::- The Chausath Yogini Temple (64-Yogini Temple) Of Hirapur, Also Called Mahamaya Temple, Is 20 Km Outside Bhubaneswar, The Capital Of Odisha Of Eastern India. It Is Devoted To The Worship Of The Yoginis, Auspicious Goddess- Like Figures. The Temple Is A Religious Place Of Attraction In Odisha. 

The Yogini Idols Represent Female Figures Standing On An Animal, A Demon Or A Human Head Depicting The Victory Of Shakti (Feminine Power). The Idols Express Everything From Rage, Sadness, Pleasure, Joy, Desire And Happiness. The Number 64 Finds Its Reference In Hindu Mythology in Forms Such As Kala For Time Kala For Performing Arts Etc. Such Temples Dedicated To Yoginis, Although Rare, Are Also Seen At Ranipur- Jharial Site Of The Balangir District In Odisha And Seven Other Places In India. 

The Temple Is Believed To Have Been Built By Queen Hiradevi Of The Bramha Dynasty During The 9th Century. The Legend Behind The Temple, According To Local Priests, Is That The Goddess Durga Took The Form Of 64 Demi- Goddess To Defeat A demon. After The Fight The 64 Goddesses, Equated With Yoginis, Asked Durga To Commemorate Them In The Form Of A Temple Structure. The Temple Complex Is Now Maintained By Archaeological Survey Of India. Kalapahad A Converted Muslim general Of 16th CE Is Believed To Have Attacked This Temple As Well And Broken The Murtis. He Is Known As The Destroyer Of Puri And Konark temples. 

The Temple Is Small And Circular, Only 25 feet In Diameter. It Is Hypaethral, Built Of Blocks Of Sandstone. The Inside Of The Circular Wall Has Niches, Each Housing The Statue Of A Goddess. 56 Of The 64 Idols, Made Of Black Stone, Survive. They Surround The Main Image At The Centre Of The Temple, The Goddess Kali, Who Stands On A human Head, Representing The Triumph Of The Heart Over The Mind. Some Historians Believed That An Idol Of Mahabhairava Was Worshipped In The Chandi mandapa. The Temple Seems To Follow A Mandala Plan In  A way That Concentric Circles Are Formed While A Shiva At The Center Inside The Inner Sanctum Is Roundly Surrounded By Four Yoginis And Four Bhairavas. The Circle Is Reached Via  A Protruding Entrance Passage, So That The Plan Of The Temple Has The Form Of  A Yoni- Pedestal For A Shiva Lingam. The Yogini Images Depict Standing Goddesses And Their Animal Vehicles. The Yoginis Are Naked But For Their Be jewelled Girdles, From Which Hang Flimsy Skirts That Can Be Made Out As A Light Decoration On Their Legs, They Are Adorned With Bracelets, Armlets, Necklaces And Anklets. 

How To Go ::-  The Main City Near To Haripur Is Bhubaneswar At A Distance Of 20 Km. One Can Reach Bhubaneswar By Various Means Of Transport. You Can Hire Private Vehicles From Bhubaneswar To Reach the Temple. The Nearest Railway Station Is Bhubaneswar And Nearest Airport Is Bhubaneswar.