Chausathi Yogini Temple - the home of 64 yoginis, located 15 km south-east of Bhubaneswar in a small picturesque village called Hirapur, is dedicated to Goddess Shakti or Mahamaya (Yogini goddesses). Made of black chlorite stone, the 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 of the inner wall surrounding the Devi mandap. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay The largest statue is that of “Mahamaya”. The mandap is adorned with 4 chlorite statues: on the southern side, two statues of ten-armed "Swacchanda Bhairava" (the blessed and fearsome Shiva) and on the eastern side, four-armed "Ajaikapada Bhairava" (Shiva standing on one leg ), and a ten-armed Swacchanda Bhairava statue, all with urdhvalinga (erect or idyphallic phallus). The western and northern faces of the mandap contain three more chlorite yoginis. The 61st of the 64 original yogini statues is missing. The outer walls are adorned with 9 Katyayani. Katyayani, according to Skanda Puarana, is the mother of Skanda. So the 9 katyani are 9 different forms of the Mother goddess. At the entrance there are two statues on the internal walls, identified as Kala and Mahakala. Kala and Mahakala are understood as the energetic forms of Lord Shiva.Images of Chausathi Yogini templeschausathi-yogini-temple-1chausathi-yogini-temple-5chausathi-yogini-temple-4chausathi-yogini-temple-3chausathi-yogini-temple-2Built in the IX century by the Bhauma and Somavamsi rulers of Orissa, the temple is built in a circular structure, 30 feet in diameter. The images of the 64 yoginis, said to be the 64 incarnations of the goddess Shakti (Parvathi) are placed inside the shrine, with the main female deity, Mahamaya wrapped in red and vermilion clothes, while the others in skirts held by a belt adorned worn low on the hips. All images of yoginis are adorned with necklaces, garlands, bracelets, bracelets, anklets, earrings etc. The temple has many sculptures on the outer walls. A large number of devotees gathered here to worship the Goddesses in the belief of obtaining supernatural powers. How to get there: There are two access roads to the temple, both converging about 500 meters from the temple on a semi-asphalted road. a) Road 1: Continue on the Bhubaneswar – Puri Road. Once you see Dhauli Stupa, keep an eye on the left side. There is a separate board showing driving directions.b) Route 2: This is a more convenient route. Take Tankapani (pronounced Ton-co-pany) road from Ravi -Talkies Square (RTS). Continue straight to the Gangua (also called Bhargavi according to some) river (this will come after crossing the Rajarani temple on the right). 600 meters from RTS, Bhaskareshwar Temple on left-3 to 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 turn immediately right. Continue to follow road signs or ask locally about the temple. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay What time to go: Go around 9:00. This is the time when the morning Pujas would end and people would be there to guide you. The non-monsoon time of year is good. Avoid monsoons. There is a pond nearby which gets flooded during monsoon. The Gangua River also gets flooded during monsoons if the downpour is heavy. Durga Puja time would be crowded.