Chausathi Yogini

Mahotsav Brochure 2016

Chausathi Yogini In Hirapur

The 9th Century Chausathi Yogini Temple of Hirapur became public knowledge only in the year 1953. This hypaethral temple is the smallest of all Yogini temples and measures only thirty feet in diameter, with stone walls barely right feet high. Yet the atmosphere that exists within the temple is quite awe-inspiring. This miniature circle conveys as impression of overwhelming power and seems to transmit the potency and dynamic strength of its sixty four Yoginis.

This temple is built of coarse sandstone blocks with laterite in its foundation, while its Yoginis are carved from fine grained grey chjorite stone. The inner wall of this circular temple has sixty niches with all sixty Yoginis still in position.The smll central Pavilion has eight niches, four with images of the Yoginis ( actually three, as one Yogini is missing), and four images of Bhairans are housed in such niches. The image opf Shiva on the central pavilion is also missing. The Yoginis here are extraordinary beaitiful figures with exquisite features and proportionately formed bodies. They are standing images , all delightfully poised with the soft , rounded thighs exolled in poetry. Faces are delicately carved, oftrn with a gentle smile that further enhances their beauty , ehile the fact that some o thr Yoginis have animal heads does not detract from their attractiveness.