Osian, an ancient small village 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 belong to the two periods, namely 8th century represented by nearly 12 temples and 12th century represented by 6 temples. For a true lover of ancient architecture and artistic style, Osian reveals all its wealth, Osian is worth visiting. One can venture out for Camel Safari in Osian and to have spiritual enlightenment by visiting the famous ancient temples.

Places to Visit :
The Sun Temple :
Walk a few yards away, amidst the town houses and you come to the Sun Temple. The two fluted pillars of the front porch give it an almost imposing and classical appearance.The temple faces the west and has a shrine, a hall and a portico. The four subsidiary shrines were originally connected by a cloister, which served the purpose of a compound wall and contained a row of flat-roofed chambers that provided shelter for visiting devotees. This temple too has its distinctive qualities in the shape of the shikhara and in the style of its pillar ornamentation. Here too, the sanctum has no idol now, but the back principal niche preserves a beautiful sculpture of Surya, the sun god. The other beautiful sculptures here are of Mahishasuramardini, Ganesha, Lakshmi Narayana, Balarama; all showing admirable craftsmanship.

Harihara Temples :
These three early temples are dedicated to the god Harihara, a combination of Vishnu and Shiva, and have a beautiful sculpture of Harihara on the back principal niche. The sanctum has no idol now. Since the temples are built on a raised plinth, they are similar to the famous Khajuraho temples, while their shikaras (towers) resemble the early Orissa temples. Stroll through the mandapam, an open-pillared hall; there is a naivete and vigour in the carving on the pillars. Note the sculptures of the navgrahas (the nine planets); the double spiral motif symbolizing kundalini or spiritual energy, the cosmic serpent sesha symbolizing eternity.

Sachiyamata Group of Temples :

The goddess Sachchika or Sachiyamata is a transformation of Mahishasuramardini and is worshipped by both the Hindus and the Jains. They usually present their offerings here after accomplishing the tonsure or marriage ceremony of their children. According to the Jains, the Oswals of the Vaishya trader community originated Osian and Sachiyamata is their family deity or kula devi. They still come here to pay their respects. This temple faces west and consists of a sanctum with a circumambulatory path, and assembly halls. The roof of the assembly halls rests on pillars, which are so arranged as to form an octagon (indicate of its construction in the 11th century) and support a shallow dome. There are 16 brackets around the dome sculpted with female dancers. Extensive renovation and reconstruction was undertaken in the twelth century, through originally this temple was built in the eighth century. The exterior of the shrine is plain and simple.

An Ancient Step Well :

Hidden among the houses behind the Sun temple is an ancient stepwell or katan baori, built during the reign of Vatsaraja (770 to 800 AD.) of the Pratihara dynasty. The stepwell is existent even today and is being restored by the tourism authorities.