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Osian Vacation Tour

A flourishing desert town in the ancient times, Osian lay on an important desert trail that was a significant trade route. Set out on a tour to Osian located at a distance of 55 kilometers from the main Jodhpur city and treat yourself to acres of gold dunes with glittering blue-green peacocks dancing on them.

Famous for its temples, Osian showcases the splendor of Rajasthan, India. Some of the Jain and Hindu temples in Osian date back to as far back as the 8th century. The ruins and temples in Osian give you a fair glimpse into the bustling life of the Gujara Pratiharas.

The exotic sculptures at the Osian temples are fair indicators of the regular lifestyle of the people of those times. Their clothes, ornaments, daily activities etc. are very well depicted in brilliantly painted frescoes and fantastically carved sculptures.

A common aspect noticeable at the ancient temple ruins of Osian is the fact that there are a large number of colorful frescoes representing the life and childhood feats of the Hindu deity Lord Krishna.

The Pratihara Dynasty Temple Complex is a must visit on your Osian tours. The entire temple complex is perched on a sandstone terrace with ornate walls decorated with carved panels, miniature paintings and exquisite mouldings.

The massive doorways and arches located all over Osian are intricately carved with mythological lores mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures. See the Surya Temple and the Sachiya Mata Temple in Osian, Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India.
 

Attraction

Osian Temple
A group of 11 temples belonging to the 8th and 9th centuries are located within Osian village. Another group dating to 11th and 12th century is located on a hill that overlooks the village.

The oldest of the group is the Sun temple of the place. The doorway of this temple is regarded as one of the finest temple doorways in India. Another old and attractive temple is the Harihara I temple. The central shrine stands on a terrace surrounded by four other smaller shrines. The temple is called a panchavatan temple as the central shrine is surrounded by four others. The Harihara III temple built a few years after Harihara I is known for beautifully decorated walls. The architecture of the interiors of this temple is very impressive. There are also a few sculptures showing Lord Krishna and Radha in dancing postures.

Some other temples worth a mention are Vishnu temples III, IV and V. All these temples are west facing with beautifully decorated walls. Though small in size, all the Osian temples have been richly sculpted. Another striking feature of the temples is that no two temples are alike in any manner and every temple has its original design. All the temples were built using stone from local quarries that have withstood the ravages of time successfully.