Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur, India

The Chausath Yogini (64 Yogini) temple of Jabalpur is one of the few such temples in the country. It was built in the 10th Century AD by the Kalachuri kingdom and has a distinct resemblance to the temples of Khajuraho in structure. A Yogini is a female attendant of the mother goddess, who slays illusion with fiery passion through insight and liberation. This small yet ornate temple is located in the Bhedaghat area between Dhuandhar and Marble Rocks area. Climbing the 100 odd steps to reach the compound is an easy climb and the temple looks beautiful in sunlight and inside the idols of the Mother Goddess and Lord Shiva lend a divine aura. There are 64 sculptures of Yoginis inside the temple are seated along a semicircular compound wall which have been ravaged by time.  Walking along the wall, the view from behind the temple, overlooking the Narmada and the greenery around is soothing and calm. I sat on the bench under the tree next to the temple for a while hoping one of the Yoginis will atleast awaken and slay my inner demons.

Other Chausath Yogini Temples in India:

1. Chausath Yogini, Western Group Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. Dated 9th Century AD
2. Chausath Yogini, Hirapur near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Dated 9th Century AD
3. Chausath Yogini, Ranipur near Bolangir, Orissa, Dated 9th Century AD

You May also want to read

• Faith, Colour and a Misty Dhuandhar Waterfall
• Carefree Children of Bhedaghat
• Boating on Narmada through the Marble Rocks