Chausath yogini temple, MitavliIn the north of Naresar, there is a sixty four yogini temple situated on the hundred feet high mountain. It is a wonderful circular construction of 170 feet radius on the style of delhis parliament house. Attached to circular verandah there are sixty four rooms and a big courtyard. In the centre of the temple there is a circular temple of lord shiva and lord anuranjan.LOCATION & APPROACHChausath yogini temple located at mitavli crowning the hillock opposite to mitavli village in morena district.Approachable both by rail and road its 2 miles to the north of rithora kalan on Gwalior-bhind narrow gauge and by road it is 1 mile to east of padavli on Gwalior-morena

REGIONAL PLANNINGMitavli, padavli and bateshwar, in distant past used to form an independent triangle.PADAVLI the townshipMITAVLI the sacred placeBATESHWAR the murti kala kendra The selection of desolated hillock for the temple structures has its own mystery to implicit from the obscenity of the rituals involved! Like offering of blood , wine, flesh, corpse rituals etc.The rituals were related to sadhna having the concept that the soul merges with the environment existing as an ultimate truth the tranquility of the hillock befitted theory and this became the reason that these rituals were performed away from populated area!!!

SITE PLANNING CONCEPTThe structure is placed at a corner of the hillock top. This results in eventual emergence of structure with hillock profile.The structure placed on the western end of the hillock which gives the panaromic view of padavli and bateshwar.

ATTEMPTS TO CONSERVATION1) To make the approach of temple better, a few masonry steps were taken as well as few cut rocks and stone pieces inserted in damaged places.2) Portions of the northern part of the compound wall which had collapsed and damaged the shrines and the originally carved stones on the exterior were not recovered. Hence, the gaps were repaired by facing of plain masonry of newly chiseled cut stones.3) Some of the lintels on the pillars of the gallery which moved out were reset.4) The roof of the temple was very dilapidated, therefore a new roof was provided.

PRESENT STATUS The temple has not been in use and proper functioning since long. Eight cells on the north- eastern side are completely broken along with the intermediate slabs although the columns attached still exist. On the western side, a retaining wall has been constructed and on the north-western side a new wall has been constructed around five cells. The inner parapet wall and the canopy on roof have been fully damaged except a small portion, on the northern side. Some original columns have been shifted from their places as a conservation process of archaeological survey of India, even some of them have been placed inverted. Initially, the structure was completely hollow but after conservation some lime mortar has been used in weaker sections. Intermediate slabs of the inner cells have partly damaged.

NEEDS FOR CONSERVATIONThe structure is largest and oldest of its kind. It may be one the conceptual inspirations of many other conjugative temples. It represents the level of intelligence ancient people and mastery, their knowledge of geometry, about organic and inorganic forms. It signifies the glorious traditions of past and an intermingling of scientific as well as religious outlook.Above all, it is an epitome of transition phase between ancient Buddhist architecture and the noveau Hindu architecture.PROPOSALSIf this legacy continues to be in negligence we may fail to conserve it for our posterity. We propose some measures which shall underline the structure:1) The structure should be put to some use beneficial to both tourist industry as well as the society.2) The zone of mitavli, padavli, bateshwar, nareshwar should host folk fairs for locals and tourists.IMPORTANCE OF CHAUSATH YOGINI TEMPLE1) The structure as per studies is the largest and most typical amongst the chausath yogini temples.2) An epitome of architectural transition.3) The structure has a great scope of tourist attraction. Being at a site near Gwalior and in proximity of padavli it has a locational advantage.4) It is also envisaged as a nearly perfect conceptual planning for the hot dry climate of the region, a window less, low height, circular, structure housing, and an open court.5) A commendable share to the vernacular influence of the region.6) The structure is a true representation of intelligence and technical knowhow of that period.7) The temple serves as a landmark of the region, built over a hillock of 100 feet height in 20 kms radius. The crowning of structure provides a vista for the passer by.8) The form of structure is a true representation of UTPALA (vastupurush mandala) which is the circular version of MANDUKA or square mandala. **Not many structures in our country are based on this concept.9) It is one of the few temples in india which are conceptually based on tantric vidya.Considering the status quo of the structure, its very existence has dubious future.. Our study is fervent effort to highlight this valuable legacy.

SCIENTIFIC APPREHENSION OF PLANNINGMany scientific apprehensions are also involved which ultimately helped it withstand the atrocities of nature. The circular form of the structure has a streamlined virtue parrying the strong wind forces The windowless walls at the exterior faade is apt for the microclimate of the region extreme climate with ambiguous strident winds such a proviso checks the cross ventilation through the structure. The enclosed central court efficiently purveys the lighting and ventilation objective of the structure. The emergence of the structure with the hillock profile helps in highlighting the ascending wind. The low height of the structure is owing to the following reasons: 1) It is susceptible to the bending moment action of the wind.2) The original concept of the structure that yoginis used used to sing raag ragini in cells to shiva at the centre needs an acoustically sound structure.3) The reverberation time of sound is reduced which otherwise would have resulted in echo effect.4) The hypothetical form of the structure is energy efficient since a circle has got the least circumference for a given area.5) Windowless faade and an open court are other aids to the conception.6) The peripheral retaining wall thickness of 0.8m effectively increase the time tag hence contributing to the energy efficiency of the structure.

Conclusively, the structure is a perfectly planned having concern for rhythm, harmony, scale, symmetry and proportions.Incorporating all the architectural elements in the structural form is a representation of the technical knowhow of that period.