Chausath Yogini

Odisha

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Hidden among rice fields 15km south of Bhubaneswar, this small but serene 9th-century open-roofed temple is dedicated to yoginis (female tantric mystics) and is one of only four in India. No larger than a village hut, the temple contains intricate rock carvings of 64 (chausath) yoginis, each shown standing on top of her vahana (vehicle; often in animal form). No buses go here; a return trip from the city by autorickshaw/Uber costs around ₹500/600.

Few tourists make it out here, which adds to the tranquillity of the location. Nearby, Soumya Handicraft is a small workshop-gallery of a local artist who paints, carves and sells his work from his home.

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