History
The temple is located atop the hill and can be accessed only through around 100 steps. The sunlight adds beauty to this structure and the idols of Lord Shiva and Mother Goddess in the main temple add a divine presence. The complex features 64 shrines positioned in circular motion and one large shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati riding on the sacred bull, Nandi. The idols are well carved and design has been kept simple, depicting a different posture of each.With around 131 ft. of external diameter and 116 feet of internal diameter, the Chausath Yogini Temple in Bhedaghat is India’s largest Yogini temple. The shrines of Yoginis consist of 84 pillars. Generally, Yogini temples are devoted to only 64 Yoginis as described in Agni and Skanda Puranas. The Yogini Temple at Bhedaghat is devoted to 64 Yoginis and other cells are devoted to Lord Ganesha, Shiva and other deities.All the idols have labels but they don’t match with the list described in Mula Chakra. These labels have domestic influence and don’t match with individual list. It is also spotted in other Yogini shrines. These Yoginis were worshiped by the kings and the Bhedaghat’s Yogini Temple was supposed to be built by a royal member of Kalchuri dynasty.In these cloister cells, the statues are categorized into two groups – seated and standing. There are five statues in standing position and made of purple sandstone and sitting statues are made of grey sandstone. Standing idols have no inscription and can be mentioned easily with their execution style when compared to sitting statues. The Gauri-Shankar temple at the center is supposed to be built after the construction of original circular temple. It is positioned at the center of inside courtyard.According to most archeology scholars, the Yogini temple was built at the last quarter of 10th century CE, i.e. around 975 to 1025 CE, by Yuvaraja II of Kalchuri dynasty. He built the temple to propitiate Yoginis who depict their help to cover his territories, banish the foes and secure victory in his bid and battle against the rival kingdom. However, Paramaras later defeated him and Yoginis didn’t work for his plea. Around 2 centuries later, the Gauri-Shankar temple at the center was built by Queen Alhanadevi whose inscription is found on a remote slab, dated 1155 CE.