Chausanth Yogini Temple of Mitaoli – Inspiration for India’s Parliament House

There is a special place for the feminine in Indian psyche. Understanding and experience of divinity necessarily include both, the masculine and the feminine. As much as the Yogis have enriched this land, so have the Yoginis. Not only have the Yogis attained to level of consciousness of Vishnu and Shiva, but the Yoginis have also attained to the consciousness of Kali, Saraswati and Katyayani. There is a proliferation of shrines to 64 (Chausanth) Yoginis around the country. And all bear an uncanny resemblance to one of the most central modern day shrine of Indian polity – the Sansad Bhawan. Or the Parliament House.

This underscores how the consecrated feminine divine plays the most critical role in the running of the Indian state even today.

Exploring how a shrine to 64 Yoginis, the feminine divinity, became the inspiration for the design of the Indian Parliament House! #AdiShakti #Spirituality Click To Tweet

The most prominent being a temple at Mitaoli in Madhya Pradesh, near Gwalior called Chausanth Yogini temple. It is a temple, which is believed to have inspired the Indian Parliament. The temple is also known as Ekattarso Mahadeva Temple (source). The temple was built by Devapala, the Kachchhapaghata king.

The temple is on a hill that has a height of about 100 feet with 100 steps leading upto it. It has a 40 m diameter circular wall with 64 chambers, a circular courtyard and an open mandapa with a shrine to Shiva in the center. IN each of the 64 chambers, Shiva’s image has been carved out.

The Central Sanctorum of the 64 Yogini temple

Inner circle of the temple 64 Yogini temple at Morena

It is said that it was the center of learning in astrology, astronomy, and mathematics in ancient times.

Other Chausanth Yogini Temples

Interestingly, this is not the only Chausanth Yogini temple. There are others as well.

Chausath Yogini Temple of Bhedaghat is seen as one of the oldest heritage sites in India. It was built in the 10th Century AD by the Kalachuri kingdom