Chausath Yogini Temple/64 Yogini Temple Hirapur,Bhubaneswar,Odisha

The Chausath Yogini Temple (64-Yogini Temple) of Hirapur,also said Mahamaya Temple, is 20 km outside Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha state of Eastern India.It devotes to the worship of the yoginis, auspicious goddess-like figures.

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-goddesses 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 maintain by Archaeological Survey of India.

Kalapahad, a Muslim convert general of the 16th century is believed to have attacked this temple and broken the murtis. He is also known as the destroyer of Puri and Konark temples.

Hirapur’s yogini temple is a tantric shrine,with hypaethral (roofless) architecture as tantric prayer rituals involve worshipping the bhumandala (environment consisting all the 5 elements of nature – fire, water, earth, air and ether), and the yoginis believe to be capable of flight.The yogini idols represent female figures standing on an animal, a demon or a human head depicting the victory of Shakti (Eternal power). According to Hindu mythology, aadishakti is the eternal power which came into existence on its own and than created everything by its will. Aadishakti (recognized as the goddess because of its motheristic character) is the supreme 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 Kālá for time, Kalā for performing arts etc.

Such temples dedicate to yoginis, although rare, are also seen at Ranipur-Jharial site of the Balangir district in Odisha and seven other places in India.