The chausathi yoginis of hirapur: from tantra to tourism / Adyasha Das.

"This book is a compilation of research and readings on the Chausathi Yogini temple at Hirapur. This book was motivated by the desire to delve deeply into the tantric roots in which the Yogini cult is embedded and to link it to the significance of this site as a potential cultural tourism destination. In Hinduism, the tantra tradition is most often associated with its goddess tradition called Shaktism, followed by Shaivism and Vaishnavism. In this temple, every male deity except Shiva are replaced by a female counterpart including Ganesh all of them representing varied qualities. The Yoginis were believed to impart magical powers to their worshippers: These powers included: anima (the ability to become very small), laghima (the power to levitate and to be able to leave your body at will), garima (the power to become very heavy), mahima (the power to become large in size), istiva (the power to control the body and mind of oneself and others), parakamya (the power to make others do your biding), vasitva (the power to control the five elements) and kamavasayitva (the power to be able to fulfill all your desires) (Dehejia). According to the Archeological Survey of India the temple came to be known in 1953. This seems strange considering the proximity of the temple to the state capital Bhubaneswar. The most beautiful Yogini temple among all, sixty three Yoginis are enshrined here. One statue is missing"-- Provided by publisher.