Chausath Yogini temple that inspired the Indian Parliament’s design

Parliament House at Sansad Marg in New Delhi was (constructed between 1921-1927) inspired by the design of 11th century Chausath Yogini Temple at Mitaoli in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh, also well known by the name of Ekattarso Temple.

The temple is circular with a radius of 170 feet. It has 65 chambers out of which 64 are for yoginis and one in the centre is dedicated to Lord Shiva. Yoginis symbolize feminine force and are considered masters of Yoga. They appear as Goddesses in Hindu culture.

The Chausath Yogini Temple is said to have been the venue for providing education in astrology and mathematics based on the transit of the Sun. This also explains why the temple is predominantly an open-air structure. Only the 65 chambers have flat roofs while the rest of the premises are open.

The circular shape is likely to have represented a Sri-Yantra in which the Yoginis reside, with the Supreme Yogini or Maha Sakti residing in the centre (represented by the circular central main shrine). On temple walls they are seen in all directions, often by the side of the Gods whose energies they represent.

 The slabs on the roof and walls have perforations in them that were used to collect the rain water. This structure has withstood the earthquakes of the millennia without any damage whatsoever to the circular structures. Built by the Kachchhapaghata king Devapala, who reigned between 1055 and 1075, it is also known as the Ekattarso Mahadeva Temple and is about 40km from Gwalior. 

Apart from the religious and architectural brilliance, this temple was well known as a ‘Tantrik Vishwavidyala’. Even foreigners used to come here to study tantra as a means of divine worship, only propagating the divine attainment by virtuous study. Even today sadhakas can be seen practicing here. The temple, located on a 100 feet high hill, has been declared an ancient and historical monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). 

The Chausath Yogini Temple at Khajuraho

Amongst all the Yogini temples, this is the only one with a rectangular architectural plan. Located on a high platform, it is made up of large granite blocks with an open courtyard at the centre. Out of the total 65 shrines, only 35 survive now. The central shrine faces the north, and was originally one for Goddess Durga. The temple is in ruins now, and has got no sculptures. Amongst 3 large statues of Goddess are located at the Khajuraho museum. This temple appears scary to some tourists visiting here.

The 64 Yogini Temple in Hirapur Bhubaneshwar, is a roofless temple. This temple is also believed to have been built by Queen Hiradevi, in the 9th century, it is also built on the same lines as the temple at Morena, with a circular wall housing the 64 yoginis in the enshrined cavities. Dating back to the 9th century to the reign of the Somavanshi Keshari kings, the cultural assemblance of India flourished with Shaivism, Vaishnavism and Buddhism.

Mahamaya being the principal Goddess here, the Devi is adorned with red cloth and vermilion. The Yogini deities are carved with black chlorite. The ornaments are highly symbolic being the bracelets, armlets, necklaces, anklets, earrings, garland and the headdress. Some are shown depicted with two arms, while some have four. Here Godess Kali can be seen standing on a demon head. It has a Chandi Madap, with eight Goddesses on all four sides. 

The 64 Yogini Temple in Ranipur Jharial of Balangir; also known as the Soma Tirtha. This temple is another hypethral structure that gives an insight to the medieval occult practices, some of them are still prevalent in some districts of Odisha along with tribal traditions. This temple has a three faced deities of Lord Shiva along with Goddess Parvati, encircled by the 64 yoginis. It is mainly regarded as a virtuous Shaiva Teerth. 

The term Yogini is often viewed with fear and wary reverence, as these devis are associated with tantric cult and dark supernatural powers. While there are various theories on the start of this cult, there is a general believe that Yogini worship started sometime around 7th century and remained popular well into the 15th century, especially in eastern India. 

Yoginis find mention in various old texts that include Agni Purana (9th century), Kalika Purana (10th century), Skanda Purana, Chaturvarga Chintamani (13th century), and different tantric texts, such as Maya tantra, Kamakhya tantra, etc. It is believed that Yoginis that occupy various positions in the Sri Yantra, represent conjoint energies that are a part of the Transcendental Power or Maha Sakti, the Devi (popularly believed to be devi Durga).

The 81 yoginis are described in the Mula Chakra of the Sri Matottara Tantra, which survives in manuscript form in Nepal. It tells of 9 matrikas ( not the usual 8); each is counted as a Yogini, and leads a group of 8 other yoginis, so that there are 9 groups of 9.  

Authored by Anadi Sahoo