Desert Experience
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. It lies 69 km (43 mi) by road north of the district headquarters at Jodhpur, on a diversion off the main Jodhpur – Bikaner Highway.
Osian is famous as home to the cluster of ruined Hindu and Jain temples dating from the 8th to 12th centuries. The city was a major religious centre of the kingdom of Marwar during the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty. 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. Osian is a famous tourist destination.
With the experience of exploring temples, Osiyan is a place to enjoy Camel Safari, Jeep Safari and Night Camping in the desert with cultural dance program performed by langa’s and maganiyar community (The Langas and Manganiyars are hereditary communities of Muslim musicians residing mostly in western Rajasthan’s).
We Tour Guide Jodhpur suggest you to start the tour in afternoon by 3 PM, you first explore the temples then a amazing camel ride & sunset followed by cultural dance program with dinner.