Click to play videoBhubaneswar: The legend of war between Goddess Durga and demon Mahisasur is very popular. But have not many know about the warriors or 'Yoginis' who fought for goddess Durga. Orissa has one such temple near Bhubaneswar where the 64 'Yoginis' or warriors of goddess Durga are worshiped.
The is the "Chausathi Yogini" temple built in 9th century AD and located at Hirapur village on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar houses 64 Yoginis or warriors of goddess Durga.
Devotees believe that a mystical feeling engulfs one on entering the temple.
"Whenever I offer prayers in the temple I get a feeling that there is some supernatural power in this temple. This feeling is something I do not get while I praying in other general temples," explains priest of the temple, Santosh Padhi.
"I have seen many foreign tourists behaving strangely after they spend some time in the temple. Some of them even cry for no reason," says Archaeological Survey of India's (ASI) temple guard, Surendranath Routray.
Legend has it that when goddess Durga was fighting demon Mahisasur, the 64 'Yoginis' were created from the various body parts of goddess Durga. They drank the blood of the demons bringing an end to their existence.
Scholars also say that the temple is a unique combination of Buddhist and Hindu culture and architecture. And also the temple flourished when these two religion were practiced in this part of Orissa.
"From the various scriptures available on this temple it could be summed up that tantra puja was practiced at this temple and the tantra was performed at the central platform of this temple with the Yoginis all around," says research scholar Suresh Balbantray.
The temple is protected by the ASI is one of the four 'Yogini' temples in India.
Ever since the temple was discovered in 1953 many tourists from across the world visit this place. But still very few know about the mystical background of the temple.
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