{"id":11352,"date":"2025-10-15T12:17:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T06:47:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/?p=11352"},"modified":"2025-10-17T11:05:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T05:35:42","slug":"chausath-yogini-temple","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/chausath-yogini-temple\/","title":{"rendered":"Chausath Yogini Temple, Architecture, Location, Legacy"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>Chausath Yogini Temple<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, an ancient shrine dedicated to 64 Yoginis, powerful feminine deities in Hinduism. Built between the 9th and 12th centuries by dynasties like the Chandelas, Kalachuris, Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty, and Imperial Cholas, these temples are mainly found in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, and Tamil Nadu. Their circular, open-air structures reflect Tantric and Shaiva traditions. India has around 13 surviving Chausath Yogini temples, with eight located in Madhya Pradesh.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">By the 13th century, the Yogini cult declined due to orthodox Hindu influences and invasions, yet their legacy endures in art, architecture, and spirituality. Today, these temples, including those in Khajuraho and Jabalpur, stand as enduring testaments to India's rich spiritual heritage, drawing historians, devotees, and researchers alike.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chausath Yogini Temple Overview<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chausath Yogini temples, scattered across India, stand as fascinating monuments to ancient Tantric practices, reflecting the profound reverence for feminine power in Hinduism. The term \"Chausath\" refers to the number 64 in Hindi, and \"Yogini\" refers to a female yoga practitioner or, in this context, a powerful female deity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With 64 individual shrines dedicated to Yoginis (female practitioners of yoga or powerful goddesses) arranged in a circular or hypaethral design, these temples inspire both in their symbolism and their artistic complexity.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These 64 Yoginis are regarded as divine forces and play a central role in Tantric worship. They are depicted as both alluring and threatening, representing a complex interplay of power, sensuality, and spirituality.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The architectural and cultural significance of these temples provides valuable insight into medieval India's spiritual practices, women's role in religious contexts, and the deep connections between the natural world and divine forces.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chausath Yogini Temple Architecture<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chausath Yogini temples are Indian <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/temple-architecture\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">temple architectural<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> masterpieces dedicated to the 64 Yoginis, representing the dynamic interplay of divine feminine and masculine energies. Located on hilltops, these temples feature intricate design elements, with shrines and statues symbolizing cosmic energy, nature, and spiritual power.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>64 Shrines for Yoginis<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Each shrine houses an image or statue of a Yogini, often depicted with animal heads or theriomorphic features, reflecting their connection to nature, forests, and the Bhairava cult.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Yoginis are shown in dynamic dancing, meditative, or royal poses, symbolizing their diverse powers and aspects.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Central Shrine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Typically houses the idol of Lord Shiva or Shakti, visible from each surrounding cell, representing the unity of the divine masculine and feminine energies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Central Courtyard: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The courtyard is open-air, reinforcing the link with nature and the divine. Pillars surround the courtyard, often intricately carved, supporting the individual shrines.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Structure<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: The temples are generally single-storey with a flat stone slab roof. The Stone load-bearing structures provide the temple's stability.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Hilltop Locations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Temples are typically built on hilltops, symbolizing the connection between the earthly and divine realms.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11400 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/05\/Chausath-Yogini-Temple-Features.webp\" alt=\"Chausath Yogini Temple Features\" width=\"498\" height=\"374\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/05\/Chausath-Yogini-Temple-Features.webp 1280w, https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/05\/Chausath-Yogini-Temple-Features-768x576.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 498px) 100vw, 498px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chausath Yogini Temple: Tantric Feminine Power<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The cult of the Yoginis thrived between the 9th and 12th centuries CE, particularly within Tantric and Shaiva traditions. Tantric practices, including rituals, meditation, and specific postures, focused on channeling spiritual energies and invoking the Yoginis, regarded as guardians of secret knowledge. These deities were worshipped in esoteric rites by select practitioners.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unlike the mainstream Hindu gods, the Yoginis embodied a more primal, earthy, and sensual aspect of the divine. This shift towards the feminine, along with the integration of Tantric rituals, marked a significant evolution in medieval Hinduism, where feminine energy was acknowledged as a vital force in the cosmic order.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chausath Yogini Temple Location<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are around 13 Chausath Yogini temples in India, with 8 situated in Madhya Pradesh. These temples are dedicated to the 64 Yoginis, each representing a divine feminine power. The following <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">are the locations most famous Chausath Yogini temples:<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Khajuraho, Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh (M.P)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Constructed in the late 9th century under the patronage of the Chandela dynasty. It is part of the world heritage site ensemble.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The temple is situated on a stone outcrop to the southwest of Shiva-Sagar Lake and has a northeast orientation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Three sandstone sculptures of Brahmani, Mahishasurmardini, and Maheshwari found on site have been displayed in the Khajuraho Museum.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mitaoli, Morena district, (M.P)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Also known as Ekattarso Mahadev Temple, was built in the 11th century under the patronage of the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/gurjara-pratiharas\/\" target=\"_blank\"> <b>Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. An inscription dated V.S. 1380 (A.D. 1323) credits its construction to Maharaja Devapala of the <\/span><b>Kachchhapaghata dynasty.\u00a0<\/b>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Located on a hilltop in Madhya Pradesh, this temple follows a unique circular design, with 64 subsidiary shrines surrounding a central sanctum.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Originally dedicated to Devi, the temple now houses Shiva images in all its cells, emphasizing its connection to Shaivism.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The circular layout of this temple is believed to have inspired the design of the Indian Parliament House.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-11388 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/05\/Chausath-Yogini-Temple-Morena.webp\" alt=\"Chausath Yogini Temple, Morena\" width=\"458\" height=\"344\" srcset=\"https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/05\/Chausath-Yogini-Temple-Morena.webp 1280w, https:\/\/d35xcwcl37xo08.cloudfront.net\/upsc-exam-wp-uploads\/2025\/05\/Chausath-Yogini-Temple-Morena-768x576.webp 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 100vw, 458px\" \/><\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><b>Bhedaghat, (M.P)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: Dates back to the 10th century. This circular stone temple holds immense historical, religious, and artistic significance during the Kalachuri dynasty.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Badoh Bhedaghat, (M.P):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It is composed of a rectangular shrine and a tall and massive shikhara, adjacent to some Jain temples.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Hinglajgarh, <\/b><b>(M.P):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It is circular in design and was discovered during the clearance for the Gandhi Sagar dam.<\/span>\r\n<ul>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Over 500 sculptures were recovered, including fragmentary Yogini images and a Mahishasuramardini sculpture.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Shahdol, <\/b><b>(M.P):<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 Known in ancient inscriptions as Sahasa-dollaka, has yielded a large collection of Yogini images that may be divided into two groups, one being a series of seated Yoginis and the other a set of standing images.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Naresar, <\/b><b>(M.P)<\/b><b>:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Near Gwalior, is no longer standing, but 20 Yogini images, now in the Gwalior Museum, suggest its existence in the late 12th century. The site, a picturesque valley with Saiva temples, likely housed the Yogini shrine atop a hill overlooking an artificial tank.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Lokhari, Uttar Pradesh<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Dating to the 10th century CE, is now in ruins, with 20 Yogini images and scattered stone blocks remaining. A goat-headed Yogini, stolen in the 1980s, was recovered from London and returned to India in 2022.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Dudhai, Uttar Pradesh:<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0Near Lalitpur, is a circular structure located on a remote mound in the Buri forest. Dating to the Chandela period, it was part of a once-flourishing temple complex near an artificial tank, similar to Khajuraho.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Rikhiyan, Uttar Pradesh: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is now lost, but scattered architectural fragments suggest its existence in the early 10th century. Likely rectangular like Khajuraho, its Yogini sculptures show affinities with Orissan temple art.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Kanchipuram, <\/b><b>Kaveripakkam, Tamil Nadu<\/b><b>:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Dates to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/imperial-cholas-art-architecture-and-literature\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Imperial Cholas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> period (c. 900 AD), with several recovered Yogini images now housed in museums worldwide. Many sculptures were found in an artificial lake at Kaveripakkam, likely originating from nearby temples.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Hirapur, Odisha<\/b><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is the smallest of its kind, measuring 30 feet in diameter with 8-foot-high stone walls. Built by Queen Hira of the Bhaumakara dynasty (8th century CE), it features exquisitely sculpted Yoginis and is dated to the late 9th or early 10th century.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><b>Ranipur Jharial, Balangir district, Odisha<\/b><b>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It is a circular shrine atop a rocky outcrop, near a large natural tank that was a major pilgrimage site over a thousand years ago. The area also contains small stone temples, a large brick temple, and Buddhist remains.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chausath Yogini Temple Legacy<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Yogini cult began to decline by the 13th century due to the rise of orthodox Hindu practices and Islamic invasions. However, its influence persists in Indian art, architecture, and spirituality. Chausath Yogini temples stand as lasting symbols of the feminine divine, showcasing a time when both male and female deities were equally revered.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Today, these temples are valued for their spiritual and archaeological significance. Sites like Khajuraho and Bhedaghat attract visitors for their historical and architectural beauty. They continue to inspire Tantric practitioners and feminists, symbolizing feminine power, sensuality, and spirituality.<\/span><\/p>\r\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chausath Yogini Temple UPSC PYQs<\/span><\/h2>\r\n<p><b>Q1.\u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: ( <\/span><b>UPSC Prelims 2021<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">)<\/span><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It is a circular temple built during the reign of the Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It is the only circular temple built in India.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.<\/span><\/li>\r\n\t<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Which of the statements given above are correct?<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(a) 1 and 2<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(b) 2 and 3 only<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(c) 1 and 4<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">(d) 2, 3 and 4<\/span><\/p>\r\n<p><b>Ans<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">:<\/span><b> (c)<\/b><\/p>\r\n<table style=\"border-collapse: collapse;width: 100%;height: 200px\">\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td class=\"tb-color\" style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\" colspan=\"2\"><strong>Other Related Posts<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/madhubani-painting\/\" target=\"_blank\">Madhubani Painting<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/sun-temples-in-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Sun Temples in India<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/warli-painting\/\" target=\"_blank\">Warli Painting<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/famous-universities-of-ancient-india\/\" target=\"_blank\">Famous Universities of Ancient India<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/mughal-paintings\/\" target=\"_blank\">Mughal Paintings<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/nalanda-university\/\" target=\"_blank\">Nalanda University<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/kalamkari-painting\/\" target=\"_blank\">Kalamkari Painting<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/taxila-university\/\" target=\"_blank\">Taxila University<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/tanjore-painting\/\" target=\"_blank\">Tanjore Painting<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/vijayanagara-architecture\/\" target=\"_blank\">Vijayanagara Architecture<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/kalighat-painting\/\" target=\"_blank\">Kalighat Painting<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/chausath-yogini-temple\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chausath Yogini Temple<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<tr style=\"height: 25px\">\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/thangka-paintings\/\" target=\"_blank\">Thangka Paintings<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<td style=\"width: 50%;height: 25px;text-align: center\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/bani-thani-painting\/\" target=\"_blank\">Bani Thani Painting<\/a><\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chausath Yogini Temple is an ancient shrine dedicated to the worship of the 64 Yoginis. Know about Chausath Yogini Temple, Overview, Architecture, Location, Legacy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":11389,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23,38],"tags":[1089,1180,1181,40],"class_list":{"0":"post-11352","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-art-culture-notes","8":"category-upsc-notes","9":"tag-art-and-culture-upsc-notes","10":"tag-chausath-yogini-temple","11":"tag-chausath-yogini-temples","12":"tag-quest"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11352","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/11"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11352"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11352\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19692,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11352\/revisions\/19692"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11389"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11352"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11352"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11352"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}