Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur – The Temple

Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur – The Temple

The Chausath Yogini Temple is placed on a hill top. One has to climb 150 plus steps to reach the temple. The temple is the abode of Goddess Durga along with 64 yoginis or Shaktis considered to be the different forms of the Goddess. The temple was constructed during the reign of Kalachuri Dynasty and was mainly made with local granite. Though the temple has been partially damaged, it speaks greatly of the ancient dynasties that ruled in Jabalpur.

The temple consists of a circular structure with an inner diameter of 116 feet and an outer diameter of 131 feet having a commanding view of the neighboring river Narmada. The temple cloister consists of 84 square pillars and has an arrangement of 81 cells and 3 entrances, two on the west and one on the south-east. It is said that this temple has 81 and not 64 yogini statues. The statues of the Yoginis stood in the cells around the periphery of the temple.

The statues have all borne the ravages of time with some of the statues completely defaced and, in some others, a large part of the statues were missing. The Temple had the Gauri Shankar temple at the center. The Gauri-Shankar temple was constructed about two centuries later; probably by queen Alhanadevi in 1155 (an inscription is found on a slab). The temple contains the stone idol of Shiva and Parvati riding a bull. Generally, in the Shiva temples, Shiva Linga is worshipped but here one will find Shiva – Shakti in statue form which is very rarely seen.

The design of the temple has been kept simple, but the idols of yoginis are exquisitely carved, each one depicting a unique posture. It is the only temple where one will find Ganeshani or Vinayaki, the feminine form of Ganesha. She is one among Chausath Yoginis. The courtyard of the Chausath Yogini Temple offers a scenic view of the Gorge at River Narmada and the surrounding landscape.