Hirapur Chausathi Yogini Temple, Odisha

Address

Hirapur Chausathi Yogini Temple Balianta, Hirapur village, Odisha 752100, India

Diety

Amman: Yogini

Introduction

Hirapur Chausathi Yogini Temple is Located amidst paddy fields beside Mahamaya Puskarini pond just 20km east of Bhubaneswar near the village of Hirapur, the beautiful and mysterious Chausathi Yogini Temple was one of the major temple in the state of Odisha. This temple wasn’t discovered until 1953, when archaeologist and historian Kedarnath Mohapatra of Odisha State Museum came across the sandstone blocks of a ruined temple. It was subsequently pieced back together, giving us a circular roofless (hypaethral) structure with provision for the images of 64 female divinities within. The 64 yoginis are based on the Asta Matrakas or the eight major forms of Devi, the mother goddess. These are Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshwari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi, Chamunda and Narsimhi. Each of these yoginis has eight attendants and when they are all assembled, they 64 yoginis are in ruins.

Puranic Significance

The temple has proved problematic. Some scholars have speculated that it may have been instigated by Queen Hiradei of the Bhauma dynasty during the 8th – 9th century A.D, as the nearby village of Hirapur (originally Hiradeipur) was named after her. Based on some of the architectural elements incorporated into the building, other scholars have suggested a slightly later date of 11th century A.D. This virtual tour of the temple will start with looking at the outside of the temple, before we venture within.