Chaunsath Yogini Temple, Hirapur,Darshan Information

Chaunsath Yogini Temple, Hirapur

28 Jan

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Situated in Hirapur, Orissa, Chausathi Jogini Temple is one of the most significant Tantric Temples in India where the tantrics (worshipper of tantra sadhana) worship Bhumandala or the 5 elements of Nature - Fire, Water, Earth, Sky and Ether. It is believed that the temple was built by the Queen Hiradevi of Bramha dynsaty during 9th century.

Location Odisha, Khurda, Bhubaneswar

Legend

The holy shrine of the Chausathi Yogini is offered to Goddess Kali, also known as Shakti, the consort of Lord Shiva. The legend says that once Maa Kali took the form of 64 demigoddesses to defeat a demon. After the duel, the 64 Yoginis (forms of Devi Durga) asked her to build a temple to commemorate their war and presence. This is how the temple was formed.

Architecture

The temple was built in hypaethral architecture, very different from the typical Kalinga architecture. Though the temple were built to consecrate 64 idols of the Yoginis, but presently 54 are found in the cubical stone frames in which the deities are crafted out of the same stone. Different images of Devi Kali and Kala Bhairava are found here. There is a large altar at the center of the temple. This place is called the Chandi Mandapa. Historians think that previously there was an idol of Kala Bhairava who was worshipped there. The diameter of circular Yogini temple is 30 feet .This is the only Chaunsath-Yogini temple where the Yoginis are facing outside the temple.

Culture

Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha is famous for its thousand-year-old cultural legacy. The city once housed more than 7,000 shrines built in the last 2000 years. The Lingaraj Temple, Jaleshwar temple, Paschimesvara etc are some of the century old temples of Bhubaneswar. Today the city is balancing the responsibility of enshrining the old heritage shrines as well as giving space to the modern cultural aspects. The city is now an important tech hub of the East.

Bhubaneswar is the perfect example of the Indo-Aryan culture, at the same time the place has also accredited the existence of the Adivasis (natives) alongside. Their art, architecture and handicrafts project the enthusiasm the people have towards creative art and some of the Kala are century old.

The Odissi Dance is one of the finest classical dances in India. Though, it belongs to the Northern India's Hindustani Classical music, but still the dance and the music associated with it is exclusive par excellence.

Visitors to Bhubaneswar can explore the State Museum in Bhubaneswar that enshrines the reminiscences of the valorous past of Kalinga (the ancient name of Odisha).