One of the Chausath Yogini temples is near Gwalior in Morena district’s Mitaoli Village in Madhya Pradesh. The temple is situated on a hill, one has to climb 100 steps to reach the temple. The temple is circular in plan, with a radius of 170 ft. The circular wall has pillars on the exterior wall. It is made out of sandstone.
The temple is said to be dedicated to 64 yoginis, and has 64 small chambers (niches) in its interior. The central shrine of course is dedicated to Lord Shiva. This was built by Kachchhapaghata king Devapala (1055 – 1075). The temple’s exterior surface had statues of couples who were flanked by maidens. Unfortunately, this is now lost or damaged.
There is a striking resemblance of this temple with the Parliament building built in 1921 in New Delhi. The Parliament building was designed by Herbert Baker, British architect. The Parliament building is part of the entire design of Lutyens Delhi. Whether the architect was really inspired by the temple which was constructed almost 800 years prior to the construction of the Parliament building is a question which needs to be explored with proper research. None of the history books or architectural books mention the source of inspiration of Herbert Baker for the Parliament Building. However, the similarity is very much evident. After hundred years the redevelopment project – Central Vista Project has begun. Reconstruction of the existing Parliament building is now a part of much discussed Central Vista Project.
Now is the time to bring such topics to the fore.
