Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur, an old heritage site dedicated to Goddess Durga

Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur, MP empleadvisor.com

Chausath Yogini Temple, Jabalpur, MP. mapsofindia.com

There are hundreds of Hindu temples across north India that are either damaged or in ruins due to invasion by the Muslim rulers of Delhi after 12th century. They not only plundered the temples but also damaged them as they were against idolatry. The purpose of plundering was to lay their hands on the treasures in most of the Hindu temples. The invasions were more of a political nature than that of religion. Destruction of Hindu temples, etc declined considerably during the Mogul period. Chausath Yogini temple in Jabalpur is one of the oldest temples in this region, but it is a damaged one for political reason.
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Chausath Yogini Temple located atop the hill in a lush green serene environment in Jabalpur, MP, is one of the oldest heritage sites in India. From the top of the hill, you can have a fine view of the surroundings and the Narmada river. It is dedicated to Goddess Durga and there are 64 yoginis or shaktis - different forms of the Goddess. A Yogini is a female attendant of the mother goddess who is kind to her devotees, but destroyer of people with evil mind. Built of granite rock in the 10th century A.D, the temple can be accessed through 150 steep stone steps leading to the shrine. This partially damaged temple is the legacy of the the ancient rulers of this region. The complex has 95 shrines that include 64 shrines in circular form and for each yogini there is a main shrine where Lord Shiva and his consort Goddess Parvati are seen riding the sacred bull - Nandi. The temple came up during the reign of Kalchuri Dynasty and the partial damage to the temple complex was due to the raid by Mogul rulers who damaged the temple for the simple reason that they hated idolatry.