Osian, Jodhpur

Osian
Uvasisala, Ukesa and Upkesapur-pattana
Sachiya Mata Temple, Osian
Nickname: 
Map
Map
Map
Coordinates: 26°43′00″N 72°55′00″E / 26.7167°N 72.9167°E / 26.7167; 72.9167
CountryIndia
StateRajasthan
DistrictJodhpur
TehsilOsian
Area
 • Total
10.4306 km2 (4.0273 sq mi)
 • Rank1
Elevation
323 m (1,060 ft)
Population
 (2011)[1]
 • Total
12,548
Languages
 • OfficialHindi
Time zoneUTC+5:30 (IST)
PIN
342303
Telephone code+91-2922
Vehicle registrationRJ-19

Osian (also spelt Osiyan) is an ancient town located in the Jodhpur District of Rajasthan state in western India. It is an oasis in the Thar Desert. The town is a panchayat village[2][3] and the headquarters for Osian tehsil. It lies 69 km (43 mi) by road north of the district headquarters at Jodhpur, on a diversion off the main Jodhpur – Bikaner Highway. The under-construction Amritsar Jamnagar Expressway passes through this town.

Osian is famous as home to the cluster of ruined Hindu and Jain temples dating from the 457 BCE to 12th century AD. The city was a major religious centre of the kingdom of Marwar during the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty.[4] Of the 18 shrines in the group, the Surya Temple, Sachiya Mata Temple, Katan Bawari and the Jain temple dedicated to Mahavira stands out in their grace and architecture.

The town was a major trading center at least as early as the Gupta period. It maintained this status, while also being a major center of Hinduism and Jainism for hundreds of year. This came to an abrupt end when the town was attacked by the armies of Muhammed of Ghor in 1195.[5] Osian is a famous tourist destination.

  1. ^ a b Jodhpur District Census Handbook, page 204
  2. ^ 2011 Village Panchayat Code for Osian = 35850, "Reports of National Panchayat Directory: Village Panchayat Names of Osian, Jodhpur, Rajasthan". Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
  3. ^ "Where is Osian, Rajasthan, India on Map Lat Long Coordinates". www.latlong.net. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  4. ^ Brajesh Krishna (1990). The art under the Gurjara-Pratihāras. Harman Pub. House. p. 45. ISBN 978-81-85151-16-8.
  5. ^ sinha, manoshi (29 June 2017). "Osian: 8th Century Architectural Lotus Blooming in the Desert!". myIndiamyGlory. Retrieved 15 December 2023.