|
Osian,
an ancient small temple town in the Thar Desert, is located
about 65 kms, north west of Jodhpur. Osian is a great centre
of Brahmanical and Jain religions and contains the largest
group of the Hindu and Jain temples in Rajasthan. These
temples belongs to the two periods, namely 8th century
represented by nearly 12 temples and 12th century
represented by 6 temples. Osian was an important centre of pilgrimage between the 8th
and 9th centuries. This can be known from the surviving
Hindu temples of the Vaishnava, Surya (Sun) and Shakti
(mother goddess) sects. The Brahminical influence was very
strong in Osian during that period and later, Jainism also
flourished in the place through the Gurjara Pratihara
dynasty. But still, various Hindu devotees visit the Osian
temple dedicated to the goddess Sachiyamata. In ancient
times, Osian was known as Ukeshpur. |
