WHO ARE 64 YOGINIS?
These Yoginis are actually Bhagavati's mates or sakhi or sahachari. They are also called the Avarana Devatas . That is, they cover (or veil) the main Goddess, that is Bhagavati, in several layers ( avarana means layer).
Gods always like to be veiled and here these Yoginis provide that veil for Goddess Bhagavati. They also accompany serve Devi Bhagavati constantly. This also shows that it is exceedingly difficult reaching the ultimate destination or Bhagavati. There are several thousand crores of such layers (or obstacles) to cross before reaching her.The number or type of such Yoginis is actually more than crores. But the principle Yoginis are 64 in number as said by you.
They are together called the Chatuh Shashti Yoginis. The Brihannandikeswara Purana (an upapurana) lists the following 64 Yoginis :-
NArAyani, Gauri, ShAkambhari, BhimA, RaktadantikA, BhrAmari, PArvati, DurgA, KatyAyini, MahAdevi, Chandraghanta, MahAvidyA, MahAtapA, SAvitri, BrahmavAdini, BhadrakAli, VisAlakshi, RudrAni, KrishnapingalA, AgnijwAlA, Raudramukhi, KAlarAtri, Tapaswini, MeghaswanA, SahasrAkshi, VishnumayA, Jalodari, Mahodari, Muktakeshi, GorarupA, MahAbala, Sruti, Smriti, Dhriti, Tushti, Pushti, MedhA, VidyA, Lakshmi, Saraswati, AparnA, AmbikA, Yogini, DAkini, SAkini, HArini, HAkini, LAkini, Tridaseswari, MahAshasti, Sarvamangala, LajjA, Kaushiki, BrahmAni, MAheswari, KoumAri, Vaishnavi, Aindri, NArasimhi, VarAhi, ChAmunda, Shivaduti, VishnumAyA and MAtrikA.
Some The Sixty-four Yogini as depicted in the complete Hirapur shrine are: •Bahurupa
The yoginis are a group that consistsof 64 goddesses.
She is known as Yogini, as she practices yonimudra, as she serves the lotus feet of Girija (or Bhagavati) and also as she has become devoid of upadhi.
KulArnava Tantra, Chapter 17, Verse 31.
Upadhi here means the attributes. For example, richness is the upadhi for the rich. In Tantra, Jiva's Jivatva is its upadhi. But it is ultimately the eternal Shiva which it does not know because of Avidya or ignorance. So, this upadhi is not eternal too. Once self knowledge is obtained the upadhi dissolves and the Jiva attains Shivatva.
The verse says that a Yogini's upadhi is also have been already dissolved. They know their true nature which is not different from Bhagavati Parameswari's. But they constantly serve her lotus feet too. And, Yonimudra is a secret mudra used in Devi's ritualistic Puja.
Also, that there are actually crores and crores of such avarana devatas or Yoginis is seen from the following verse which provides an explanation for the word Shakti:
Satakoti MaHadivyayogini PritikAranAth | TivrasphurtipradAnnAncha Shaktityabhidhiyate ||
Meaning;-She is known as Shakti, as she is the reason for bliss (or happiness, actually priti is happiness) for the hundred crores of great and divine yoginis, and as she gives intense energy.
KulArnava Tantram, Chapter 17, Verse 32.
So, Yoginis are not exactly Devi's incarnations ( i am mentioning this specifically since you added the avatara tag to your question) but her mates.
You must be knowing about Goddess Lalita being constantly served by several devatas including Lakshmi, Saraswati etc. Goddess Lalita who resides along with Kameswara in the inner most triangle (in the bindu to be precise) of the Sri Chakra is similarly being constantly served by crores and crores of other such Yogini-Devatas.
1•Tara
2•Narmada
3•Yamuna
4•Shanti
5-•Varuni
6•Kshemankari
7•Aindri
8•Varahi
9•Ranveera
10•Vanara-Mukhi
11•Vaishnavi
12•Kalaratri
13•Vaidyaroopa
14•Charchika
15•Betali
16•Chinnamastika
17•Vrishabahana
18•Jwala Kamini
19•Ghatavara
20•Karakali
21•Saraswati
22•Birupa
23•Kauveri
24•Bhaluka
25•Narasimhi
26•Biraja
27•Vikatanna
28•Mahalakshmi
29•Kaumari
30•Maha Maya
31•Rati
32•Karkari
33•Sarpashya
34•Yakshini
35•Vinayaki
36•Vindya Balini
37•Veera Kumari
38•Maheshwari
39•Ambika
40•Kamiyani
41•Ghatabari
42•Stutee
43•Kali
44•Uma
45•Narayani
46•Samudraa
47•Brahmani
48•Jwala Mukhi
49•Agneyei
50•Aditi
51•Chandrakanti
52•Vayubega
53•Chamunda
54•Murati
55•Ganga
56•Dhumavati
57•Gandhari
58•Sarva Mangala
60•Ajita
61•Surya Putri
62•Vayu Veena
63•Aghora
64•Bhadrakali
LEGENDS ABOUT THE SIXTY FOUR YOGINIS;-
The Lalitha Sahasranama and Vishnu Bhagavatha Purana reverently call the Divine Mother Shakti as Maha Yogini (Great Ascetic) and Kula Yogini. The Yogini Sahasranama and Kaula Kularnava Tantrarefers to the Supreme Devi as Maha Yogini. In ancient days, 8 great Female Shaktis emerged from the Universal Shakthi Energy called Parashakthi – these were the Divine Grand Mothers (called Ashta Matrikas) of all subsequent Yoginis. These 8 Matrikas manifested each in turn into Eight Sacred Shaktis, thus resulting in the 64 Tantric Yoginis.
The Yoginis are also popularly known and worshipped in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism in several countries as Bhairavis, Dhakinis, Shakinis, Sakinis, Sakthis, etc. The 64 Yoginis are known to be capable to manifest in physical form to give dharshan even in this Kali Yuga.
The Sixty Four Yoginis are understood within Maha Avatar Babaji’s Kaula Marg tradition of Kriya Tantra Yoga as fundamental emanations of Maha Sakthi. Each of them rules over different aspects of creation, has a very distinct personality, and offers different boons. In Tantra Yoga, 7 special Yoginis preside over the 7 Major Chakras, where the human body is visualised as the Devi Kundalini. In Vedic Astrology, the importance of the Yoginis is highlighted through an exclusive Dhasa (or Dasa) called Yogini Dhasa where predictions are based on the characters of the 8 major Yoginis (representing the 9 planets or Grahas, with the 8th Yogini Sankata linked to two Grahas).
Large parts of Northern and Western India have Yogini Temples that are unique – simple circular enclosures which have no roof and do not have a sanctum sanctorum (Garba Graham), standing open to the glorious sky, allowing sunlight and rains to pour into it’s vast arena. Within the temple and placed in special niches in the circular wall are the series of 64 exquisitely carved Yogini images with beautiful bodies (often with non-human heads) and varying powers. These shrines are referred to as Chausat Yogini Temples or 64 Yogini Temples, with the Cult that raised them still remaining mysterious. The most famous Yogini temple is at Hirapur near Bhuvaneshvar – known locally as the Maha Maya Temple. Individual descriptions of the 64 Yoginis are quoted in the 13th Century work Chaturvarga Chintamani of Hemadri and many other scriptures. Each Yogini temple in India has a unique Shakti Cluster Energy Field and none are the same. Similarly, the name identification of these 64 Yoginis also varies, both in the temples and the literature.
Interestingly, the Circular Yogini Temples are believed to have inspired the design of the Indian Parliament House in Delhi – built by renowned British architects Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker in the 1920s.
Researchers opine that even though the Yogini Cult emanated in the 1st century, it was well established and flourished from the 9th to 12th centuries and their shrines were in worship even in the 16th century. Later they were customised and assimilated into the Divine Feminine in all it’s popular forms that exist today.
References about the Sixty Four Yoginis and their powers can be found in the ancient scriptures like :Brahmananda Purana, Agni Purana, Skanda Purana, Kalika Purana, Jnanarnava Tantra, Brihad Nandikeswara Purana, Chandi Purana of Sarala Das, Brihndla Tantra, Bata Avakasa of Balaram Das, etc. Historical romances and semi-historical literature like Somadevasuri’s Yasastilaka of AD 959, Kalhana’s Rajatarangini of c.1150 and Somadeva’s Kathasarit Sagara of c.1070 contain legendary stories about the all-powerful Yoginis.
However, the most significant information about the Chausath Yoginis is culled from the Kaula School of Tantrism, especially from the famous Kularnava Tantra. The tantric text Kaulajnanananirnaya belonging to the Yogini Kaula School and authored by the Maha Siddha Matsyendranath or Machindranath also popularly known as Macha Muni (he is the Guru of Siddha Gorakshanath or Gorakkar, with whom he founded the School of Hatha Yoga) provides note worthy clues to the tantric powers under the command of the Yoginis. The info was considered so secretive that it was couched in an intentional abstruse language called “Sandha Basha”, clear only to the initiate. In recent times, extremely important information is coming from the hitherto unknown and unstudied Sri Matottara Tantra (listed in several tantric traditions as one of the original 64 Tantras, as quoted by Vamakeshvara Tantra), a 400 hundred year old manuscript of which is with the Nepal National Archives. Parts of Matottara Tantra is also featured in the Goraksa Samhita published by the Sanskrit University in Varanasi.
There exist a series of Yogini Namavalis in India, right from Kashmir to the southern tip of Andhra and Tamilnadu in all the glory of the regional languages, but understandably with differing Yogini names – most probably customised to the region.
चौंसठ योगिनी मंत्र :- 03 FACTS;- 1-64 देवीओं की पूजा आराधना करते है. उनसे अपने बच्चों एवं परिवार की खुशहाली के लिए प्राथना करते है, लम्बी आयु की प्राथना की जाती है. आटे का हमारे जीवन में बहुत महत्त्व होता है.आटे से 64 देवीओं की प्रतिमा बनाई जाती है. और फिर उसकी पूजा की जाती है. इन्हें अपनी इच्छा अनुसार छोटा बड़ा बना सकते है. इन्हें चाहें तो कलर कर भी कर सकते है, एवं वस्त्र पहनाएं.*. 2-कुछ क्षेत्रों में देवी दुर्गा को योगिनी के रूप में पूजा की जाती है. इसलिए हर एक पीठ एक योगिनी को दर्शाता है. इस तरह 64 योगिनीहै, जिनकी पूजा की जाती है.*.इन सभी 64 देवी की प्रतिमाओं को एक साथ एक जगह, किसी चौकी या पटे पर रखा जाता है. 3-घर में वास्तुदोष होने पर चौसठ योगिनी पीठ बना कर उनकी पूजा करने से हर तरह के बस्तुदोष दूर होते है।
१. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री काली नित्य सिद्धमाता स्वाहा । २. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री कपलिनी नागलक्ष्मी स्वाहा । ३. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री कुला देवी स्वर्णदेहा स्वाहा । ४. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री कुरुकुल्ला रसनाथा स्वाहा । ५. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री विरोधिनी विलासिनी स्वाहा । ६. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री विप्रचित्ता रक्तप्रिया स्वाहा । ७. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री उग्र रक्त भोग रूपा स्वाहा । ८. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री उग्रप्रभा शुक्रनाथा स्वाहा । ९. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री दीपा मुक्तिः रक्ता देहा स्वाहा । १०. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री नीला भुक्ति रक्त स्पर्शा स्वाहा । ११. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री घना महा जगदम्बा स्वाहा । १२. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री बलाका काम सेविता स्वाहा । १३. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री मातृ देवी आत्मविद्या स्वाहा । १४. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री मुद्रा पूर्णा रजतकृपा स्वाहा । १५. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री मिता तंत्र कौला दीक्षा स्वाहा । १६. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री महाकाली सिद्धेश्वरी स्वाहा । १७. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री कामेश्वरी सर्वशक्ति स्वाहा । १८. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री भगमालिनी तारिणी स्वाहा । १९. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री नित्यकलींना तंत्रार्पिता स्वाहा । २०. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री भैरुण्ड तत्त्व उत्तमा स्वाहा । २१. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री वह्निवासिनी शासिनि स्वाहा । २२. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री महवज्रेश्वरी रक्त देवी स्वाहा । २३. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री शिवदूती आदि शक्ति स्वाहा । २४. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री त्वरिता ऊर्ध्वरेतादा स्वाहा । २५. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री कुलसुंदरी कामिनी स्वाहा । २६. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री नीलपताका सिद्धिदा स्वाहा । २७. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री नित्य जनन स्वरूपिणी स्वाहा । २८. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री विजया देवी वसुदा स्वाहा । २९. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री सर्वमङ्गला तन्त्रदा स्वाहा । ३०. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री ज्वालामालिनी नागिनी स्वाहा । ३१. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री चित्रा देवी रक्तपुजा स्वाहा । ३२. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री ललिता कन्या शुक्रदा स्वाहा । ३३. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री डाकिनी मदसालिनी स्वाहा । ३४. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री राकिनी पापराशिनी स्वाहा । ३५. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री लाकिनी सर्वतन्त्रेसी स्वाहा । ३६. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री काकिनी नागनार्तिकी स्वाहा । ३७. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री शाकिनी मित्ररूपिणी स्वाहा । ३८. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री हाकिनी मनोहारिणी स्वाहा । ३९. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री तारा योग रक्ता पूर्णा स्वाहा । ४०. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री षोडशी लतिका देवी स्वाहा । ४१. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री भुवनेश्वरी मंत्रिणी स्वाहा । ४२. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री छिन्नमस्ता योनिवेगा स्वाहा । ४३. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री भैरवी सत्य सुकरिणी स्वाहा । ४४. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री धूमावती कुण्डलिनी स्वाहा । ४५. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री बगलामुखी गुरु मूर्ति स्वाहा । ४६. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री मातंगी कांटा युवती स्वाहा । ४७. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री कमला शुक्ल संस्थिता स्वाहा । ४८. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री प्रकृति ब्रह्मेन्द्री देवी स्वाहा । ४९. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री गायत्री नित्यचित्रिणी स्वाहा । ५०. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री मोहिनी माता योगिनी स्वाहा । ५१. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री सरस्वती स्वर्गदेवी स्वाहा । ५२. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री अन्नपूर्णी शिवसंगी स्वाहा । ५३. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री नारसिंही वामदेवी स्वाहा । ५४. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री गंगा योनि स्वरूपिणी स्वाहा । ५५. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री अपराजिता समाप्तिदा स्वाहा । ५६. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री चामुंडा परि अंगनाथा स्वाहा । ५७. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री वाराही सत्येकाकिनी स्वाहा । ५८. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री कौमारी क्रिया शक्तिनि स्वाहा । ५९. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री इन्द्राणी मुक्ति नियन्त्रिणी स्वाहा । ६०. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री ब्रह्माणी आनन्दा मूर्ती स्वाहा । ६१. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री वैष्णवी सत्य रूपिणी स्वाहा । ६२. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री माहेश्वरी पराशक्ति स्वाहा । ६३. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री लक्ष्मी मनोरमायोनि स्वाहा । ६४. ॐ ऐं ह्रीं श्रीं श्री दुर्गा सच्चिदानंद स्वाहा!
......SHIVOHAM...