A short drive from Jodhpur, Osian is a small town known for its temples. Though a small village now, history confirms that Osian was once a large and prosperous city. So large in fact, that according to the local story, Osian at the height of its prosperity had its own grain market in the town. Osian was an important pilgrimage centre between the 8th and 9th centuries, apparent from the surviving Hindu temples of the Vaishnava, Saura (Sun) and Shakti (mother goddess) sects. Later, inspite of the ruler's adoption of Jainism, Osian continued to attract Hindu devotees to its temple of the goddess Sachiyamata (a folk transformation of Mahishasuramardini).

There are 15 brahminical temples and shrines, and a cluster of Jain temples, all built during the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty between the 8th and the 12th centuries: testimony to the significance of religion in the life of its people for 400 years. The stone from which these temples were built was extracted from local quarries, which has managed for the most part to withstand the ravages of time.

How to reach
20 Kms north of Jodhpur

Where to Stay

Jodhpur

Umaid Bhawan Palace, Taj Hari Mahal, Novotel Coralia Ummed, Ratanada Polo Palace, Ajit Bhawan, Bal Samand Lake Palace, Best Western Ranbanka, Karni Bhawan.