64 Joginis

64 Joginis Temple (Chausath Jogini Mandir) is situated in a hamlet called Hirapur, 20 km outside Bhubaneswar (the capital of Orissa, a state in Eastern India).

The temple is supposed to be built by the Queen Hiradevi of Bramh dynesty during 9th century

It's built in a circular fashion, completely put together with blocks of sand stone. The inside of the circular wall has cavities, each housing the statue of a Goddess. There are almost 56 such idols, made of black granite, inscribed within the wall cavities, centring on the main idol which is the Goddess Kali, who stands on a human head representing the triumph of the heart over the mind. The temple houses a central altar (cuboid) which has the remaining 8 Goddess idols on all 4 sides.

64 Joginis Temple is a tantric temple, and is completely open on the top, as tantric prayer rituals involve worshipping the 'bhoomandal' (environment consisting all the 5 elements of nature - fire, water, earth, sky and ether).

The legend behind the temple according to local priests is of the Goddess Durga taking the form of 64 demi-goddesses in order to defeat a demon. After the fight the 64 goddesses (Joginis) asked Durga to commemorate them in the form of a temple structure.

The Jogini idols are generally representing a female figurine standing on an animal, a demon or a human head depicting the victory of Shakti (Feminine power). The Idols express everything from rage, sadness, pleasure, joy, desire and happiness.

References

Such temples are also seen at Ranipur-Jharial site of the Balangir district in Orissa and seven other places in India.