Hindu Temples of India: Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh

Chausath Yogini Temple is a Hindu Temple dedicated to 64 Yoginis and Lord Shiva with his consort Parvathi, situated on a hilltop near Jabalpur Town in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India. It is one of the oldest heritage sites in India. It was built in the 10^th Century AD by the Kalachuri kingdom and has a distinct resemblance to the temples of Khajuraho in structure. Though the temple has been partially damaged, it speaks greatly of the ancient dynasties that ruled in Jabalpur. It is located near the river Narmada and the famous Marble Rocks in Bhedaghat.

The temple’s name is derived from the Hindi word ‘Chausath’, which means ’64’. This temple is dedicated to 64 Yoginis, who are considered as the incarnations of the Mother Goddess, Shakti. Currently, there are 4 Chausath yogini temples in India, two of which are in Orissa at Hirapur and Ranipur and remaining two are in Madhya Pradesh state. Madhya Pradesh Yogini temples are at Khajuraho and the other at Jabalpur. The 64 Yogini temples at Jabalpur is considered to be the largest one among the four.

Legends

Yoginis:

"Yogini" formally means a female practitioner of Yoga or a term used for modern enlightened female spiritual teachers in both Hinduism and Buddhism. Alternatively, a "Yogini" is also considered to be the sacred feminine force as a sacred incarnation of Goddess Parvati. They are revered in yogini temples of India as the eight Matrikas or the sixty-four yoginis. At some places, the yoginis are considered to be followers of a secret cult. Considered very powerful, yoginis were often considered to be sorceress capable of causing destruction.

Association with Aurangzeb:

There is an interesting story behind this temple linked to Aurangzeb. When Aurangzeb was destroying the temples of Indian Continent, he reached Jabalpur and started destroying this temple due to his religious faith. He destroyed all the Yogini's Statues. When he went to the central shrine of Shankar and Parvati sitting on Nandi Bull to destroy. He was unable to destroy due to honey bees attack as a miracle. Then he realized the power of God and he went away from here.

History

The temple was constructed during the reign of Kalachuri Dynasty at 10^th century CE and was mainly made with local granite. Mughal invaders, later on, destroyed and deformed most of the temple. Though the temple has been partially damaged, it speaks greatly of the ancient dynasties that ruled in Jabalpur. The Gond Rulers of Central India were regular visitors to the complex during their rule, the proof of this being the inscription describing the visit of Gond Queen Durgavati.