Chausath Yogini Temple

Chausath Yogini (64 Yoginis) or Mahamaya Temple is located 15 km away from Bhubaneswar at Hirapur. Located amidst paddy fields, the temple is associated with tantric cult of Odisha and occult practices of medieval times. Built towards the end of Bhauma rule in the 9th century, Yogini Temple is perhaps the smallest of four Yogini temples in the country. While one Yogini Temple is located at Ranipur-Jharial near Titlagarh in Balangir district of Odisha, the remaining two are in Madhya Pradesh. The hypaethral (roof-less) temple facing the east was discovered by Kedarnath Mohapatra of Odisha State Museum in 1953. While 10-armed Mahamaya is the presiding deity of the temple, the heavily ornamented two feet high 64 Yoginis are installed in standing postures, each exhibiting a distinct hairstyle. According to legends, Yoginis accompanied goddess Durga during her war with the demon Mahishasura. In the centre, stands a ‘mandap’ with an image of 'Ekapada Shiva', an incarnation of the Lord Shiva. All the sculptures in the temple are carved out of fine-grained gray chlorite, while the outer walls are decorated with images of ‘Katyayanis’. A pond, called Mahamaya Gaadia’, is located in front of the temple adds to the ambience of the place.