This collection has pics of 64 Yogini Temple, Shanti Stupa and Ashoka''s Rock Edict. U see an overview of the circular 64 Yogini Temple measuring 27.4m in circumference. Yoginis carved in black chlorite stone which could withstand the erosion of time. The surrounding area also houses the famous Siva shrine of Kundaleswar.
Temple attributed to 9th century a.d. Inside temple are images of various Yoginis. Temple in the midst of rice fields and vast water shed. It is the smallest of all Yogini temples yet the
miniature circle conveys an overwhelming power and seems to transmit the potency and dynamic strength of its sixty-four Yoginis. There are 2 Dvarapals on both sides of the entrance and nine Katyayanis on the niches of the outer wall. Captions of images are credit and copyright 64 Yogini Temple Hirapur by Suresh Balabantaray. Buy the book, very good.
We present pics of some images. U see Katyayani no 3 holds a katari (knife) in one hand and a skull cap on the other. A female attendant is holding an umbrella over her head. The pedestal is having a dog and jackal.
U see Katyayani no 5 ie similar to no 2 except that here a female attendant is holding an umbrella over the head of a Katyayani. No 2 wears bracelets, a necklace and anklets. The braid of hair is to the left of her head.
In the pedestal there are a jackal and dog.
Katyayani no 7 is exactly like Katyayani no 3 whose description is - holds a katari (knife) in one hand and a skull cap on the other. A female attendant is holding an umbrella over her head. The pedestal is having a dog and jackal.
Katyayani no 9 is a bit smaller than other 8 images. The image is nude and with a fierce look she holds a sword and a skull-cap. The special feature of this Katyayani is the presence of a bow. The attendant is absent here. In the pedestal there are two jackals. In the inner side of temple are 60 Yoginis housed in 60 niches of circular enclosure. All in standing posture. There are also another 3 houses in pillars of Yogini Mandap. Yogini Mohamaya the presiding deity of the shrine is 10 armed, 10 Yogini are 4 armed and 43 are 2 armed figures. Most of the Yoginis are carbed here with languish faces.
Left to right is Narmada. 2 armed, stands on an elephant, wears a garland of skulls and ornaments. She holds a skull-cup (Kapala) near her mouth believed to be drinking blood. Centre is Yamuna, 4 armed. Standing in Pratyalidha pose. The mount is a big tortoise. Her curling hair is raised over the head. Known as Jatamandala. A skull cup is seen in the upper right hand. Left is Yogini no 5 ie Shanti/Kanti/Laxmi/Manada. 2 armed, standing on a full blown lotus. Ornaments like Yogini no 1 with naga Keyura (armlets of Naga or cobra or serpent band). She is wearing Pea-Cock feathering skirt.
Left to right is Yogini no 16 Marjari/Betali. 4 armed figure. She mounts on a fish and braid of hair over her head. She is having a garland of skulls (Mundamala), with ornaments like Yogini no 1. She is standing a Samabhanga pose. Centre is Yogini no 17 Chinnamastaka. 4 armed figure with the mount as severed head. Braid of hair over her head ie chignon on top. She holds a bow in her lower left hand. She is standing in a dvibhanga pose. Right is Yogini no 18 Vrisabhanana Bindhya Basini. 2 armed figure. Mount is like a flat roofed house or cave with a hole
in the middle. Her face is a buffalo head with fierce look and disheveled hair known as Jatamandal.
Left to right is Yogini no 24 Kauveri. 2 armed figure with 7 ratna kalasas or Ratnanidhis on the pedestal. The Ratna Kalasas are placed over a full blown lotus on which she stands. Braid of hair (kesa bandha) to the right with mukuta and kirita over her head. With the usual ornament she wears a bejeweled girdle. She is in a dance pose. Yogini no 25 is Bhalluka. 2 armed board faced figure with raised hair. There is a padma lata (lotus creeper) on the pedestal. She wears various ornaments and holds a damru in her right hand. Her hairstyle is known as jata-mandala.
Yogini no 26 is Narasimhi/Simhamukhi. 4 armed lion faced figure. Like mane of the lion is raised curling hair. There is a pot like thing in her lower hands. There are 5 flowers with leaves on the pedestal. Her hairstyle is known as jatamandal.
Left to right is Yogini no 40 Abhaya/Veera Kumari. 4 armed beautiful figure mounting on a scorpion she is having a jatamukha over head n various ornaments on the body her upper hands are raised. She is standing in a dance pose. Centre is Yogini no 41 Maheswari. 4 armed figure mounting on a bull. Braid of hair is to the right known as Kedabandha, adorned with various
ornaments. She is standing in a dvibhanga pose. Right is Yogini no 42 Kamakshi/Ambika. 4 armed figure with 2 sheels as the mount below which there is a mongoose. Braid of hair is to the right (known as kesa-bandha). Her two lower hands lean against both the knee joints as she is in a bent knee pose. She holds a damru in her upper right hand.
Left to right is Yogini no 11 Kamayani. 2 armed figure. There is a cock on her pedestal she is adorned with various ornaments. Braid of hair is to be right side known as kesa-bandha. She is standing in a dvibhanga pose. Centre is Ghatabari. 2 armed figure mounting on a lion. She has curling hair over her head with various ornaments. Known as Karanda-Mukuta. She stands in a dvibhanga pose. Right is Yogini no 45 Stutee. A 4 armed figure mounting on a haladi kathua (pot for turmeric paste). There is also a flower vase on the pedestal. Braid of hair is to the right with flower garland adorned with various ornaments with mukuta. She is standing in a samabhanga pose.
Left to right is Yogini no 56 Chamnunda. A 4 armed awe-inspiring figure. The body is skeletal one with lean dangling breasts. Her hair is raised over her head. She is wearing a garland of skulls. With the upper 2 hands she holds a lion hide over her head. In the lower 2 hands she holds a katari and a severed human head. In the pedestal there is a figure of a musk deer as the mount. She stands in a tribhanga dancing pose. Centre is Yogini no 57 Murati. 2 armed figure mounting on a horned deer and a braid of hair over head like flames. Being adorned with various ornaments. She stands in a tribhanga dancing pose.
There are 4 Bhairav''s. This is no 1. This Ekapada Bhairav or Ajaikpada Bhairav is houses in the niche of the S.E. corner pillar and is standing on one leg for which he is known as Ekapada Bhairav. He is urdhow linga means erect penis upwards. He is mounted on a full blown lotus. He wears a kirita over his head, garland of skulls and sarpa valaya and sarpa keyura
(bracelet and anklets of snakes). He holds a khadga, a shield and backbone of fish. There is a halo around his head. 2 attendants with sword and shield are seen on the pedestal.
Overview of Shanti Stupa. It is built on top of a hill.
Dhauligiri was a historic place. It was here that king Ashok laid down the weapons of violence and accepted Ahimsa as a form of life. To see pics of Shanti Stupa at Rajgir, Bihar click here
Image of Sleeping Buddha at Shanti Stupa. To see pics of Sleeping Buddha in Wats of Bangkok, Thailand click here
Close up is Ashoka Rock Edict. To see pics of Nalanda University Bihar click here
On rock above the inscription, is the sculptured forepart of an elephant carved out of live rock which symbolises ''Buddha'', the best of ''elephants'' (Gajjotama) as it was in this form that he is believed to have entered his mother''s womb in a dream. To see pics of Temples of Bhubaneswar click here
Rock Edict written in Magadhi. To see pics of Raja Rani Temple Bhubaneswar click here
Sculptured reliefs of Mukteswara Temple, Bhubhneswar ie considered to be a gem of Orissan architecture. To see photos click here