For a few years I’ve wished to go to one of many historic Chausath (64) Yogini temples in India. My current go to to Bhubaneswar fulfilled my craving. I’ve at all times been fascinated by the Yoginis, however knew little or no about them, apart from the truth that they’re highly effective manifestations of the divine female. Every Yogini is an incarnation of Shakti (Goddess Durga), and the temple in Hirapur, Bhubaneswar has Mahamaya because the presiding deity.
The temple is a brief drive away from Bhubaneswar metropolis centre and is positioned in serene and picturesque environs. There’s a pond, Mahamaya Pushkarini Kund, within the neighborhood, and the temple is ensconced in a well-kept backyard. Surrounded by such pure magnificence, the temple itself appeared part of nature. This shouldn’t be a shock contemplating that the each day rituals embrace worshipping the 5 parts of nature, that’s earth, water, fireplace, sky, and ether. The Ninth-century temple has additionally a deep reference to tantric traditions. Yogini temples are open air as it’s believed that the Yoginis fly.
As I entered the gates, I noticed a small Shiva temple on the left. There was a Shivlinga inside, whereas a statue of Vishnu was outdoors. There was a tree, below which individuals had stored numerous metallic snakes of varied sizes, in all probability for getting their needs fulfilled. It was a captivating sight.
A bit of forward, at first look, I used to be a bit of shocked that the sandstone round open-air temple was not too massive, opposite to what the pictures that I had seen earlier made me imagine. It has a circumference of 27.4 m and a pair of.4 m in top. Nonetheless, regardless of the restricted area that the temple occupies, the innumerable sculptures, the deep-rooted meanings, and symbolism, are actually mind-boggling.
The round temple has statues of the Navadurgas outdoors. The doorway to the temple is thru a slender opening and is guarded by statues of gatekeepers. The priest knowledgeable that their names are Chanda and Munda.
The within partitions of the sanctum are lined with 64 niches occupied by black granite statues of the Yoginis. Every Yogini has her vahana (mount). Occupying centrestage is Mahamaya who’s worshipped day by day by a gaggle of clergymen. Considered one of them knowledgeable me that individuals come right here, significantly on Tuesdays and Saturdays, to worship and search the blessings of the Yoginis to eradicate their issues.
The names of a number of the 64 Yoginis are: Mahamaya and Mahalakshmi (on a lotus); Tara and Chandrika (each Yoginis stand on a corpse to indicate detachment); Kali (on Shiva); Ganga (on a crocodile); Yamuna (on a tortoise) and Narmada (on an elephant); boar-faced Varahi (on a buffalo); Padmavati (on a snake); Vaishnavi (on Garuda); Kalratri (on a boar); Chinnamastaka (on a severed human head); Jalakamini (on a frog); Vikarali (on a canine); Kaumari, the ability of God Kartikeya (on a peacock); Matangi or Shitala (on a donkey); Vindhyavalini (on a rat); Maheshvari (on a bull); Ghatavari (on a lion); Aditi (on a parrot); Ajita (on a mouse deer); Dhumavati (on a goose), and others. A few of the Yoginis like Chinnamastaka and Dhumavati are among the many 10 Mahavidyas.
The statues of Yoginis encompass a pavilion-like construction that, based on the priest, represented a Shivlinga, from which water flowed out by way of the doorway. That is referred to as the Chandi Mandap which has sculptures of 4 Yoginis with their respective Bhairavas. The priest knowledgeable me that there was a statue of Shiva earlier, inside the mandap.
To me, it appeared that Hirapur’s Chausath Yogini Temple is a strong expression of cosmic existence – Consciousness (Shiva), surrounded by the assorted manifestations of Shakti, symbolising the whole lot the universe encompasses and past. The statues should not simply crafted in stone however live energies – the 64 elements by way of which the Common Mom needs us to grasp how we’re linked to her huge creation, and uncover our true self.
Vital information:
Easy methods to attain: Chausath Yogini Temple in Hirapur is a brief drive from Bhubaneswar airport and metropolis centre.
Lodging: There are numerous lodging choices in Bhubaneswar for various finances classes.
(Sudipta is an power healer and mystical storyteller. Her assortment of quick tales ‘Invoking Our Inside Goddess’,’ Mystical Tales Of Sacred Earth’, ‘The Blue God’s Love’, and ‘Enchanted Waters: The Magical Circulate Of Life’ can be found worldwide on Amazon Kindle.)
