Snippets of Information
TEMPLES
* 23 Apr 2026
The Chausath Yogini temples have 64 images of the Yoginis in
their individual cells or shrine with intricate stone carvings
circularly arranged. These temples are mostly situated on hilltops.
Yogini refers to a female practitioner of yoga and chausath is the Hindi
word for the number 64. The Yoginis are 64 in number and hence called
the Chausath Yogini. They are a group of forest spirits and mother
goddesses. The Chausath Yoginis were feared & worshiped for their
tantrik power.
The cult of the Yoginis was very powerful between the 9th and 12th
centuries CE. The tribes in the old Gondwana forests of Central India
were the original devotees of the Chausath Yoginis. This cult celebrated
the feminine and its power. The temples were designed to "reflect the
form of a reclining, languid woman". This is how they celebrated
sensuality and fertility. The temples were typically circular, on
elevated ground (or pedestal), and open to the sky. The statues of the
64 female forms were in chambers lining the circumference of the temple.
Dancers probably performed in the central courtyard. There are around
13 such temples in India out of which 8 are in Madhya Pradesh. These
include Chausath Yogini temples at Khajuraho, Bhedaghat, Mitaoli,
Dudhai, Badoh, Hinglajgarh, Shahdol, Naresar in Madhya Pradesh; Hirapur,
Ranipur in Odisha and Lakheri, Rikhiyan in Uttar Pradesh and
Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu.
Source: whc.unesco.org
* 16 Mar 2026
Ashtadash Shaktipeeth List:
According to the stotra of Adi Shankaracharya, these are the 18 major Peethas:
- Shankari (Sri Lanka)
- Kamakshi (Kanchipuram)
- Series (West Bengal)
- Mundeshwari (Bihar)
- Mahalaxmi (Kolhapur)
- Renuka (Nanded)
- Bhawani (Tuljapur)
- Madhaveshwari (Prayagraj)
- Sarvashaila (Andhra Pradesh)
- Yogeshwari (Delhi)
- Bhramari (Jalpaiguri)
- Siddheshwari (Bengal)
- Kanakadurga (Vijayawada)
- Kali (Kolkata)
- Kamakhya (Assam)
- Jwalamukhi (Himachal Pradesh)
- Mangala (Gaya)
- Sundari (Bengal)
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