Chausathi (Chausath) Yogini Temples - 64 Yogini temples

The handful of yogini temples standing in India today are the only reminders of the yogini cult that flourished between the 7-12 century AD. 

Chausathi Yogini Temple at Hijapur

These temples get the name from the hindi word Chausathi meaning 64. Interestingly, some Chausathi yogini temples may actually have 42 or even 81 statues.

Yogini temples are quite unique in their design. Most are circular, but Khajuraho Chausathi yogini Temple breaks this rule with its square layout. One common feature of yogini temples is that they are hypaethral; i.e. they have no roof. They were built this way because of the belief that the yoginis would fly in and out of the temples. 

Inside the Chausathi Yogini temple at Mitawali

Chausathi Yogini Temple at Hijapur: This was the first yogini temple I ever visited. I saw a picture of this temple on a calendar at my hotel in Bhubaneshwar and decided to go there! Built in 9th century, its perhaps the best preserved of all Yogini temples in India. (Click here)

Chausathi Yogini temple at Mitawali (Mitaoli): This temple also called as Ekattarso Mahadeva is about an hour's drive from Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. 

The temple consists of 2 concentric circles. The inner circular chamber is dedicated to lord Shiva. All the 64 (or maybe 65) chambers on the outer wall have Shiva iconography. Since everything is dedicated to Lord Shiva, I asked the resident priest why it’s even called as a yogini temple. He had no clue! Wikipedia says that the 64 chambers originally contained yogini statues. (Click here)

Chausath Yogini temple at Bhadeghat

Chausath Yogini temple at Bhadeghat: Located at Badeghat, Madhya Pradesh, it’s one of the largest yogini temples. Confusingly, there are 81 statues on the outer wall of but only 64 of them are yogini statues. Jabalpur Museum has some good descriptions of this temple. (Click here)

Chausath Yogini temple at Khajuraho

Chausath Yogini temple at Khajuraho: This yogini temple is part of the Khajuraho Temple complex and is listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. This temple has a unique rectangular shape. Unfortunately, the temple is badly damaged and none of the idols remain in place. (Click here)

Sketch of Beraghat 64 Yogini temple at Jabalpur museum

One of the statues at Beraghat 64 Yogini temple

Mitawali Yogini temple

Statues at the Chausathi Yogini Temple at Hijapur