Chausath Yogini Temple, Hirapur

The Chausath Yogini Temple at Hirapur is a 9th-century open-air circular shrine dedicated to the 64 Yoginis — fierce tantric goddesses — and is one of only a handful of such temples surviving in India. Built under the Bhaumakara dynasty around 860 CE, this sanctuary sits just 20 km from Bhubaneswar.

The circular enclosure wall (about 25 metres in diameter) holds 60 niches, each containing a yogini figure carved from black chlorite schist, while four larger yoginis stand in the cardinal directions. The absence of a roof is intentional — the site is aligned with celestial observation and is a 'skyclad' tantric space.

Hirapur is considered one of the finest Shakta monuments in India for the expressive power of its sculptures. The site draws scholars, art historians, and pilgrims interested in tantric traditions.