Osian

The Temple Town

Treat your eyes to the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan on your tour to the beautiful town of Osian. It is located near Jodhpur and was an important trading centre from the 8th to 12th century. Osian is an important Jain pilgrimage centre. The town is famous for the extremely beautiful Hindu and Jain temples built around the 8th century. Still retaining their old-world charm, the temples are famous for their architectural beauty. It is believed that first inhabitants of Osian were the Naga tribes who later converted to Jainism. Osian was once the capital of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty from the 8th to 12th century.

Attractions Of Osian

The Hindu and Jain temples
The Hindu and Jain temples of Osian are truly the architectural marvels and the pride of Osian. Some of the famous Osian temples are the Sun temple, Sachia Mata Temple, Harihara I temple and Kali temple. The Harihara I temple has attractive sculptures and frescoes depicting Lord Krishna and Radha. The striking fact about the exquisitely carved temples at Osian is that no two temples are the same when it comes to architecture. Each temple has its own unique design and style. The Vishnu temple and Lord Mahavira temple are the other two beautiful temples in Osian. All these beautiful temples were constructed during the reign of the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty between the 8th and 12th century.  The temples were built from stones which were extracted from local quarries and the quality of the stone was so good that most of the temples could stand the test of time for several centuries.

The Panchavatan temple in Osian is one of the most beautiful temples, which deserves mention. It was built on a terrace whose walls are festooned with mouldings and miniatures. The central shrine of the temple is surrounded by four other shrines. The carved panels and the decorated doorways of the temple are notable.