The Chausath Yogini Temple of Mitaoli

The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli, also known as the Ekattarso Mahadeva temple and often written Mitawali, is a circular open-air temple at the village of Mitaoli in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh in central India. Generally dated to around the ninth to eleventh centuries, it consists of a ring of shrine cells, traditionally numbered sixty-four or sixty-five, enclosing a central shrine of Shiva, and is dedicated to the yoginis, a group of goddesses of the Tantric tradition. Set on a low hill, the temple is admired for its unusual circular plan. It is popularly claimed to have inspired the circular form of the Indian Parliament building, a claim best presented as popular belief rather than established fact. The temple belongs to the broad world of shrines surveyed in the guide to Indian temple architecture. This article explains its location, history, form and significance within the heritage of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Takeaways

• The Chausath Yogini temple stands at Mitaoli in Morena district, Madhya Pradesh, in central India.
• It is a circular open-air temple, also called the Ekattarso Mahadeva temple.
• It is generally dated to around the ninth to eleventh centuries.
• The temple has a ring of shrine cells, traditionally numbered sixty-four or sixty-five, around a central Shiva shrine.
• It is dedicated to the yoginis, a group of goddesses of the Tantric tradition.
• It is popularly, but not conclusively, claimed to have inspired the circular form of the Indian Parliament building.

The sections below explain where the temple stands, how it was built and what a visitor can see today.

Quick Facts

What Is the Chausath Yogini Temple of Mitaoli?

The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli is a circular open-air temple dedicated to the yoginis, standing on a low hill at the village of Mitaoli in Morena district of Madhya Pradesh. Generally dated to around the ninth to eleventh centuries, it consists of a ring of shrine cells, traditionally numbered sixty-four or sixty-five, enclosing a central shrine of Shiva, and is also called the Ekattarso Mahadeva temple. What distinguishes the shrine is its rare circular plan, a form used in India chiefly for temples of the yoginis, the goddesses of the Tantric tradition. The open courtyard ringed by cells gives the temple a striking and unusual appearance. It is popularly claimed to have inspired the circular form of the Indian Parliament building. The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli is therefore best understood as a rare and remarkable circular yogini temple, a monument of the Tantric tradition that is among the most unusual shrines in central India.

Where Is Mitaoli Located?

Mitaoli, often written Mitawali, is located in Morena district in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh in central India, in a region not far from the historic city of Gwalior. The village lies amid the countryside of the district, and the Chausath Yogini temple stands on a low hill rising above it, reached by a flight of steps. The surrounding area holds other monuments of historical interest, so that the temple is often visited together with nearby sites. Morena district connects by road with Gwalior and the wider region, making the shrine accessible to travellers. The elevated position of the temple gives it wide views over the countryside. The location of Mitaoli therefore places the Chausath Yogini temple in the northern plains and low hills of Madhya Pradesh, near Gwalior, where the circular shrine crowns its hill above the village as one of the notable monuments of the Morena region.

Why Is It Called a Chausath Yogini Temple?

The temple is called a Chausath Yogini temple because chausath means sixty-four in Hindi, and the shrine is dedicated to the yoginis, a group of goddesses traditionally numbered at sixty-four. The yoginis are a class of goddesses of the Tantric tradition, worshipped together as a group, and temples dedicated to them were built in a distinctive form with a cell for each of the goddesses arranged around an open court. At Mitaoli the cells are traditionally numbered sixty-four or sixty-five, giving the temple its name, though the shrine is also known as the Ekattarso Mahadeva temple in reference to the central Shiva shrine. The name thus reflects both the number and the dedication of the temple. The description of the Mitaoli shrine as a Chausath Yogini temple therefore identifies it as one of the rare temples of the sixty-four yoginis, a distinctive type of Tantric goddess shrine built in the open circular form seen here.

Who Are the Yoginis?

The yoginis are a group of goddesses of the Tantric tradition, worshipped together, usually as a set of sixty-four, and the temple at Mitaoli is dedicated to them. In the Tantric and Shakta traditions the yoginis are understood as powerful female divinities, each with her own form and character, honoured collectively in special temples built for their worship. Their cult flourished in the early medieval period, and yogini temples were raised in several regions of India, often in the distinctive open circular or sometimes rectangular form. The worship of the yoginis belonged to the esoteric currents of medieval religion and is best approached with respect and care. Their imagery and rites reflect the rich world of the Tantric tradition. The yoginis therefore stand at the heart of the Mitaoli temple, a group of Tantric goddesses whose collective worship gave rise to the rare and distinctive circular shrines of which the Chausath Yogini temple is a notable example.

What Is the Circular Plan of the Temple?

The circular plan is the most striking feature of the Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli, a ring of shrine cells enclosing an open courtyard with a central shrine of Shiva. The outer ring is formed of small cells, traditionally numbered sixty-four or sixty-five, each of which housed an image, arranged side by side around the circle so that they face inward toward the court. At the centre stands the shrine of Shiva, giving the temple its alternative name of Ekattarso Mahadeva. The open court within the ring, exposed to the sky, is characteristic of yogini temples, which were often built without a roof over the central space. This plan sets the temple apart from the usual enclosed shrine. The circular plan of the Mitaoli temple therefore defines its character, an open ring of cells around a central Shiva shrine that gives the temple its remarkable form and reflects the distinctive architecture of the temples of the yoginis.

When Was the Temple Built?

The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli is generally dated to around the ninth to eleventh centuries, placing it in the early medieval period when the cult of the yoginis flourished in India. Precise dating of such temples is difficult, since inscriptions are scarce and the shrine has passed through long centuries of use and weathering, so scholars prefer to give an approximate period rather than an exact year. The style of the temple and its form are consistent with this early medieval dating. The building belongs to the era when yogini temples were raised in several regions, expressing the Tantric devotion of the age. The construction is sometimes associated with the dynasties that ruled the region, though such attributions should be treated with appropriate care. The building of the Mitaoli temple therefore belongs to the early medieval centuries, a time when the worship of the yoginis found expression in rare circular shrines such as this one on its hill in Morena district.

Why Is It Linked to the Indian Parliament Building?

The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli is popularly linked to the Indian Parliament building because of a widely repeated claim that its circular form inspired the design of that building, though this is best treated as a popular belief rather than established fact. The temple’s striking circular plan, a ring of cells around an open court, does resemble in outline the circular shape of the Parliament building in New Delhi, and this resemblance has given rise to the popular claim that the one inspired the other. However, there is no firm evidence to establish such a direct connection, and it is best presented as a popular tradition rather than a proven fact. The claim has nonetheless added to the fame of the temple. The link between the Mitaoli temple and the Indian Parliament building therefore belongs to popular belief, an appealing claim based on the resemblance of their circular forms that should be understood as tradition rather than documented history.

What Is the Central Shrine of Shiva?

The central shrine of the Chausath Yogini temple is dedicated to Shiva, standing in the middle of the open court enclosed by the ring of yogini cells, and gives the temple its alternative name of Ekattarso Mahadeva. In the arrangement of the temple, the ring of cells housing the yoginis surrounds this central Shiva shrine, uniting the worship of the group of goddesses with that of the great god. The placing of Shiva at the centre reflects the close connection in the Tantric tradition between the yoginis and Shiva. The central shrine thus forms the focus of the circular temple, around which the cells of the goddesses are ranged. Its presence shapes the meaning of the whole monument. The central shrine of Shiva therefore lies at the heart of the Mitaoli temple, binding together the worship of the yoginis and the god within the rare circular form and giving the temple its name as the Ekattarso Mahadeva.

What Do the Shrine Cells Contain?

The shrine cells of the Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli are the small chambers that form the outer ring, each of which housed an image, traditionally one for each of the yoginis. Arranged side by side around the circle, the cells open inward toward the central court and the Shiva shrine, so that the goddesses were ranged around the god. Each cell is a modest chamber shaped to hold its image, and together they make up the ring that gives the temple its circular form. Over the long centuries some images have been lost or damaged, as is common with such ancient shrines, but the arrangement of the cells survives to show the original design. The cells embody the collective worship of the yoginis. The shrine cells of the Mitaoli temple therefore give concrete form to the worship of the sixty-four yoginis, a ring of chambers for the goddesses encircling the central Shiva shrine and defining the remarkable circular plan of the temple.

What Is the Setting of the Temple?

The setting of the Chausath Yogini temple adds much to its character, for the circular shrine stands on a low hill above the village of Mitaoli, reached by a flight of steps and commanding wide views over the surrounding countryside of Morena district. The elevated position gives the temple a sense of seclusion and sanctity, set apart from the village below, in keeping with the character of yogini shrines, which were often built in somewhat remote or elevated places. The open court of the temple, exposed to the sky, is enhanced by its hilltop setting. The climb to the shrine and the views from its height are part of the experience of visiting. The quiet rural surroundings preserve the atmosphere of the monument. The setting of the Mitaoli temple therefore reinforces its distinctive character, a circular shrine of the yoginis crowning a hill above the countryside, whose elevated and open position suits the Tantric tradition to which it belongs.

What Does the Temple Tell Us About Yogini Worship?

The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli tells us much about the worship of the yoginis in early medieval India, a tradition expressed in rare and distinctive circular shrines. The collective worship of the sixty-four yoginis, powerful goddesses of the Tantric tradition, called for temples of a special form, with a cell for each goddess arranged around an open court, and the Mitaoli shrine is a well preserved example of this type. The exposure of the central court to the sky and the ring of goddess cells reflect the particular character of yogini worship. Such temples, found in several regions, are important evidence for a tradition that is otherwise little documented and best approached with respect. They open a window onto the esoteric religion of the age. The Mitaoli temple therefore illuminates the worship of the yoginis, preserving in its circular form the architecture of a distinctive Tantric cult that flourished in early medieval India.

How Does It Compare With Other Yogini Temples?

The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli compares with the other yogini temples of India as one of the notable examples of this rare and distinctive type. Temples of the yoginis were built in several regions, including other sites in central and eastern India, usually in the open circular or sometimes rectangular form, with cells for the goddesses arranged around a court. The Mitaoli temple, with its circular plan and central Shiva shrine, shares the essential features of this tradition while being admired for its state of preservation and its striking hilltop setting. Comparing it with other yogini temples reveals both the common character of the type and the particular features of each site. Together such temples form a small but remarkable group within Indian architecture. The Mitaoli temple therefore holds a distinguished place among the yogini temples of India, a well preserved circular shrine that stands among the finest examples of this unusual and little known architectural tradition.

How Is the Temple Protected and Preserved?

The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli is protected and preserved as an ancient monument, reflecting its importance as a rare example of a yogini temple. The authorities responsible for safeguarding historic monuments document, conserve and protect the shrine, which stands on its hill above the village. Challenges include the weathering of the stone over its long life, the effects of the climate, and the wear that comes with visitors drawn by the temple’s fame and its popular association with the Parliament building. Conservation aims to stabilise the circular structure and protect its cells and carving without altering the original design. Because arrangements and access can change, visitors are advised to seek current information before travelling. Respectful behaviour helps protect the monument. The preservation of the Mitaoli temple therefore depends on the care of heritage authorities and the respect of visitors, ensuring that this rare circular shrine of the yoginis endures for future generations in Morena district.

How Can Visitors Plan a Trip to Mitaoli?

Visitors can plan a trip to the Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli most easily by travelling through Morena district, which is reachable by road from the historic city of Gwalior, and then climbing the steps to the hilltop shrine. The cooler, drier months from about October to March are generally the most comfortable, while the summer in central India is very hot. The temple is often visited together with other monuments in the surrounding area, making for a rewarding excursion. Modest and respectful behaviour is appropriate at the shrine, and the climb to the hill rewards the visitor with the circular temple and wide views. It is wise to carry water in the warm climate and to allow time to explore the ring of cells. Checking current arrangements in advance is sensible. A well prepared visit therefore allows the circular yogini temple of Mitaoli and its hilltop setting to be appreciated calmly and with respect.

Why Is the Temple Significant Today?

The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli is significant today as a rare and well preserved example of a yogini temple, a monument of the Tantric tradition and one of the most unusual shrines in India. Its circular plan, its ring of goddess cells around a central Shiva shrine and its hilltop setting make it a monument of great interest to historians, students of religion and travellers. Its popular association with the circular form of the Indian Parliament building, though best treated as tradition rather than fact, has added to its fame and draws many visitors. As a protected monument it preserves the architecture of a little known cult. For the region it is a point of pride and interest. The significance of the Mitaoli temple today therefore rests on its rarity, its preservation and its striking form, making it a cherished monument of Madhya Pradesh and an important witness to the worship of the yoginis in early medieval India.

The Chausath Yogini Temple Today

The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli today remains one of the most remarkable and distinctive monuments of central India, a rare circular shrine of the yoginis crowning its hill in Morena district. Its ring of goddess cells around a central Shiva shrine, its open court exposed to the sky and its striking form continue to draw historians, students of religion and travellers, while its popular association with the circular Parliament building adds to its fame. Generally dated to the early medieval centuries, it preserves the architecture of a little known Tantric cult. Continued conservation, respectful tourism and scholarly study help ensure that it endures for future generations. For those exploring the heritage of Madhya Pradesh, the temple offers an unusual and memorable encounter with the worship of the yoginis. The Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli thus stands as a lasting witness to the Tantric tradition of early medieval India, a rare circular shrine of enduring fascination.

Sources & Further Reading

• Archaeological Survey of India (asi.nic.in).
• Department of Tourism, Government of Madhya Pradesh (mptourism.com).

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Chausath Yogini temple of Mitaoli located?

The Chausath Yogini temple is located at the village of Mitaoli, often written Mitawali, in Morena district in the northern part of Madhya Pradesh, not far from the historic city of Gwalior. It stands on a low hill above the village.

What is the Chausath Yogini temple known for?

The temple is known as a rare circular open-air shrine of the yoginis, with a ring of cells traditionally numbered sixty-four or sixty-five around a central Shiva shrine. It is also called the Ekattarso Mahadeva temple and is generally dated to around the ninth to eleventh centuries.

Who are the yoginis?

The yoginis are a group of goddesses of the Tantric tradition, worshipped together, usually as a set of sixty-four. Their cult flourished in the early medieval period, and temples were built for their collective worship in a distinctive circular form.

Did the temple inspire the Indian Parliament building?

The temple is popularly claimed to have inspired the circular form of the Indian Parliament building, based on the resemblance of their shapes. However, this is best treated as a popular belief rather than an established fact, as there is no firm evidence of a direct connection.

How old is the Chausath Yogini temple?

The temple is generally dated to around the ninth to eleventh centuries, in the early medieval period when the cult of the yoginis flourished. Precise dating is difficult, so an approximate period is usually given rather than an exact year.

What is the best time to visit Mitaoli?

The cooler, drier months from about October to March are generally the most comfortable for a visit, as the summer in central India is very hot. The temple is often seen together with other monuments in the surrounding area.