Yogini

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Yogini is term which finds reference to several texts related to Hinduism, and its literal meaning is a demoness or a sorceress. The word is used to refer to advanced female yoga practitioners, and in the mythological context, it may indicate one or more of the :

A female who is an associate or attendant of Durga.
In several Tantric cults, the term refers to an initiated female sexual partner, who may be a part of the tantric rituals.

In a wider and general context, a yogini is believed to be women who possess supernatural powers. During Durga’s battles with the demons (asurs) eight yoginis are described who emanated from the body of Durga, and they assisted her in the battle. In later texts, the number of Yoginis increased to sixty-four. All these yoginis represented forces of vegetation and fertility, illness and death, Yoga and magic. All yogins are worshipped collectively and together, each one is enshrined in an individual position in a circular temple open to the sky.

One of the most impressive yogini temples is the 9th century Chaunsath yogini (sixty-four yogini) temple is located at Hirapur, Bhubaneshvar district, Orissa. Other two important yogini temples are the 10th century monuments at Khajuraho, near Chhattarpur and Bheraghat, near Jabalpur, both in Madhya Pradesh.

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