The 64 Yogini Shrine temple in Orissa provide a glimpse into the religious sand occult practices from the medieval times that are still alive in Orissa's tribal traditions. Built during the 9th century to harness the supernatural powers, only four of the architecturally distinct 64 Yogini Shrines survive in India today. Two of the temples are in Orissa - at Hirapur near Bhubaneswar (15 km), and the twin villages of Ranipur and Jharial. The other two 64 Yogini Shrines are present in Khajuraho and Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh.
The 64 Yogini Shrine temple Hirapur was built under the aegis of Bhauma and Somavamsi rulers of Orissa and is the smallest in the group. Constructed as a hypaethral structure, it is distinct in architecture from Orissa temple architecture as well as temple styles in the rest of India. The temple is a circular structure, 30 feet in diameter, which is built of coarse sandstone and has barely 8 feet high walls containing 64 niches to house the sculptures of Yoginis or Dakinis.
The 64 niches included the four in the recently reconstructed central pavilion acted as mini shrines for the cult. The deities of the 64 Yogini Shrine temple Odisha are derived from the village deity such as Ramchandi, Shyamkali, Harachandi, Tarini, Viraja, Bhagavati, Durgamata, Sarala, Bhadrakali, Kamakhya, Bhabani, and Mangala who are revered by the local villagers. Together in numerical groupings of 8 especially 64, they unleash their significant powers that can create and destroy mankind.
Bhubaneswar is well connected by air, rail and road to the rest of India. The modern Biju Patnaik airport is being extended to receive wide bodied aircraft, and one may well see international charters landing here soon.