Chausathi Yogini Temple-the home of 64 yoginis, located 15-km south east of Bhubaneswar in a little beautiful town called Hirapur, is devoted to goddess Shakti or Mahamaya (Yogini Goddesses). The temple is believed to be built by the Queen Hiradevi of Bramha dynasty during the 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 around 56 such idols, made of black granite, inscribed within the wall cavities, centering 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 (Chandi Mandapa) which has the remaining 8 Goddess idols on all 4 sides. Some historians believe that an idol of Maha Bhairava was worshiped in the Chandi Mandapa.
What time to go there:
Go around 9 am. This is the time when the morning Pujas would be over and the people would be there to guide you. Non-monsoon time of the year is good. Avoid the monsoons. There is a pond nearby which gets flooded during the monsoons. Even the Ganga River gets flooded during the monsoons if the downpour is heavy. Durga Puja time would be crowded.
How to reach there:
There are two approach roads to the temple, both converging some 500 meters away from the temple on a semi-tarred road. a) Road 1: Keep going on the Bhubaneswar – Puri Road. Once you see Dhauli Stupa, keep an eye on the left side. There is a distinct board showing the road directions. b) Road 2: This is a more convenient route. Take the Tankapani (pronounced as Ton-co-pany) Road from Ravi -Talkies Square (RTS). Keep going straight to Gangua (also called Bhargavi by some accounts) river (This would come after you have crossed Rajarani Temple on the right-600 meters from RTS, Bhaskareshwar Temple on the left-3 or 4 Km from RTS on the left, Megheshwar Temple-5 Km from RTS on left, Sai Temple-7 Km from RTS on left and another 2 to 3 Km through the fields). Cross the bridge over the river and take the immediate right. Keep following the road signs or ask locally for the temple.
