Chausathi Yogini Temple - the home of 64 yoginis, located 15 km southeast 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 of the four Yogini temples of India and the second of its kind in Orissa. The temple reflects the role of female power in the religious practices of Orissa. There are sixty yoginis on the oblong niches in the interior wall surrounding the Devi mandap. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay The biggest statue is that of “Mahamaya”. The mandap is decorated with 4 chlorite statues – on the south side, two statues of ten-armed “Swacchanda Bhairava” (Shiva the fearsome and happy) and on the east side, four-armed “Ajaikapada Bhairava” (Shiva standing on one leg) . , and a ten-armed statue of Swacchanda Bhairava, all with urdhvalinga (erect or idyphallic phallus). The west and north faces of the mandap contain three more chlorite yoginis. The 61st of the 64 original yogini statues is missing. The exterior walls are decorated with 9 Katyayanis. Katyayani, according to Skanda Puarana, is Skanda's mother. So, the 9 Katyanis are 9 different forms of the Mother Goddess. At the entrance, there are two statues on the interior walls, identified as Kala and Mahakala. Kala and Mahakala are considered to be the energy forms of Lord Shiva. Images of Chausathi Yogini Temple in the 9th century by the Bhauma and Somavamsi rulers of Orissa, the temple is built in a circular structure, with 30 feet in diameter. Images of the 64 yoginis, said to be the 64 incarnations of the goddess Shakti (Parvathi) are placed inside the sanctum, with the main female deity, Mahamaya shrouded in red and vermilion clothing, while the others wore skirts held up by an ornate belt worn low on the hips. All images of yoginis are adorned with necklaces, garlands, armlets, bracelets, anklets, earrings etc. The temple has many sculptures on its exterior walls. A large number of devotees gathered here to worship the goddesses, believing they could achieve supernatural powers. How to get there: There are two approach roads to the temple, both of which converge about 500 meters from the temple on a semi-tarmac road.a) Route 1: Continue on the Bhubaneswar – Puri road. Once you see Dhauli Stupa, keep an eye on the left side. There is a separate sign showing driving directions. b) Route 2: This is a more practical route. Take Tankapani Road (pronounced Ton-co-pany) from Ravi-Talkies (RTS) Square. Continue straight until you reach the Ganga River (also called Bhargavi according to some accounts) (this would come after crossing the Rajarani Temple on the right). 600 meters from RTS, Bhaskareshwar Temple on left-3 or 4 Kms from RTS on left, Megheshwar Temple-5 Kms from RTS on left, Sai Temple-7 Kms from RTS on left and another 2 to 3 Kms through fields) . Cross the bridge over the river and take an immediate right. Keep following road signs or ask locally for the temple. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized document from our expert writers now. Get a Personalized Essay What time to go: Go around 9 am. This is the time when the morning Pujas would be over and people would be there to guide you. The non-monsoon time of the year is good. Avoid monsoons. There is a pond nearby which gets flooded during the monsoons. Even the Gangua River is flooded during the monsoons if the.