Ujjain is one of the Sapta Puri or seven sacred cities of India and for centuries, Ujjain has been a hub of Tantra practice and Shakti worship, historical records show that from the 9th century onward, Ujjain hosted several Tantric sects like the Kapalikas, Pashupatas and Shakti monasteries. The Chausath Yogini Temple in Nayapura, Ujjain dates back to the era of King Vikramaditya, around two millennia ago. It is said that since Vikramaditya’s time, the 64 Yoginis have been worshipped here continuously as protective and wish-granting mother goddesses. The temples presiding deity is Maha Yogini, Ali Shakti who herself manifested in 64 forms. It is a Siddh Peeth, where worship can lead to divine blessings and supernatural abilities.
The Chausath Yogini Temple in Ujjain is famous for the mystical powers of its deities. Each of the 64 Yoginis bestows specific blessings and tantra abilities upon devotees. In Tantra the 64 Yoginis are “forces of the divine feminine” who possess miraculous powers. Devotees and holy men describe these goddess energies as fierce protectors and bestowers of powers they can fly, heal, transform, and manifest desires. Worshipping at this temple is thus thought to invoke the Yoginis’ collective power to fulfill one’s wishes and grant inner strength. Many worshippers visit seeking solutions to problems or fulfillment of particular desires, be it overcoming obstacles in life, curing ailments, attaining prosperity, or even gaining spiritual siddhis
Because of its tantric heritage, the temple is also regarded as a place to overcome negative energies. The Yoginis are known to drive away fear and evil influences. The temple’s reputation as a “mannat fulfilling” shrine means that devotees whose prayers are answered return to offer thanks. In fact, a common tradition is that after devotees’ mannat is fulfilled, they come back to the temple for Devi darshan in gratitude and perform additional puja for the yoginis.
Practitioners of Tantra come to the Ujjain 64 Yogini temple for knowledge and power
Practitioners of Tantra come to the Ujjain 64 Yogini temple for knowledge and power. The temple is also known as Tantriko ka Vishwavidyalaya, meaning University of Tantriks, because so many practitioners gathered to conduct rituals and learn the secrets of tantra. by venerating the 64 Yoginis of Ujjain, one can gain mastery over tantra practices and receive the yoginis guidance. Even today, the temple is considered a shaktipeeth of tantra, a powerful place of divine feminine energy where devotees can meditate and reconnect with the raw, untamed force of Adi Shakti within themselves.
Tantric practitioners from all over India travel to Ujjain to perform special rites at this 64 Yogini temple, With the believe that completing their tantric sadhana here, in the presence of the 64 Yogini Mata, will help them attain siddhi. In Ujjain’s 64 Yogini Temple, the goddess is worshipped in the form of 64 pinds, each representing a Yogini. Unlike other Yogini temples that have sculpted idols, here the 64 yogini’s reside in these pinds.
Whereas 64 yogini temples at Hirapur in Odisha and Mitaoli in MP are historical monuments under archaeological protection where regular worship is symbolic, Ujjain’s Chausath Yogini temple is a fully functional temple with daily devotional activity, from daily aartis to Navratri celebrations, making it one of the few 64 Yogini temples in India where the tradition of ritual worship is unbroken and very much alive. The regular puja gives the temple a divine atmosphere and energy.