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mystery of the temple

There is a unique temple in Hirapur village, located about 20 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, Odisha, which is known as Chausath Yogini Temple. This temple may look simple, but the mysteries hidden in its depths have always attracted people.

warning from local people

Villagers say that the atmosphere of this area changes as the evening approaches. People here know it as ‘Witch Temple’ and avoid staying there at night. Historians consider it to be an ancient Tantric power center, which remains mysterious even today.

size of temple

The Chausath Yogini temple of Hirapur is very small in size, measuring about 30 feet in diameter and its walls are only eight feet high. However, there is something about this roofless temple that challenges rational thinking. Locals call it the ‘Witch Temple’, while scholars consider it one of the unique Tantric pilgrimage sites of India.

History and creation

This temple is older than the Sun Temple of Konark, which is located about 40 kilometers away. Experts believe that it was constructed in the 9th century and was built by Queen Hiradevi of the Bhaumkara dynasty. Hirapur is also named after him. It is one of the four Yogini temples remaining in India, of which the temple at Hirapur is the smallest and possibly the oldest.

yogini spiritual tradition

This temple is based on the concept of Yogini, who is known as a divine woman. They are endowed with supernatural powers and are worshiped in Tantric worship. According to local belief, Goddess Durga transformed herself into 64 Yoginis to defeat a demon.

importance of puja

After the victory, the Yoginis requested Goddess Durga to establish a temple where her virtues could be honoured. Thus, these 64 Yoginis symbolize supreme femininity and are embodied in the eight principal forms of the Goddess.