Osian, Jodhpur
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 Uvasisala, Ukesa and Upkesapur-pattana | |
|---|---|
Sachiya Mata Temple, Osian | |
| Nickname: | |
| Coordinates: 26°43′00″N 72°55′00″E / 26.7167°N 72.9167°E | |
| Country | India |
| State | Rajasthan |
| District | Jodhpur |
| Tehsil | Osian |
| Area | |
| • Total | 10.4306 km2 (4.0273 sq mi) |
| • Rank | 1 |
| Elevation | 323 m (1,060 ft) |
| Population (2011)[1] | |
| • Total | 12,548 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| PIN | 342303 |
| Telephone code | +91-2922 |
| Vehicle registration | RJ-19 |
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.[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.
History edit
Evidence suggests that Osian is a very old settlement. Some of its early names include Uvasisala, Ukesa and Upkesapur-pattana. In its early history, the village was a center for Brahmanism. It was a major stop for camel caravans during the Gupta period.[6] The town was an important center for the Pratihar dynasty. Tradition states that, after being abandoned for a time, the village was re-established by Utpaladeva (c. 900-950). Utpaladeva converted to Jainism, and turned the village into a center for the religion. However, Jainism had a presence in the village long before that. The town was prosperous and successful at this time. At its peak, it had over one hundred temples.[7]
A niche in Mahavira Temple contains a sculpture of intertwined snakes which also is worshipped by Oswal Jain, as adhisthatyaka - devetas. This leads us to believe that a sizeable part of the populace in that period may have belonged to naga extraction. Nagabhata II was a Pratihara ruler of Mandore near Jodhpur. It is said that the Nagabhata II must have defeated the nagas and so he must have been given the name Nagabhatta which means 'master of nagas'. 'Nagabhatta' the son of 'Narbhatta' of Mandore line established his capital at Merta near Nagaur, whose old name was Nagapura. The Pratiharas may have conquered these areas from the nagas. Nagapriyagachha of Jain also indicates the same direction.[citation needed]
Muhammad of Ghor and his Turkish and Muslim armies attacked the town in 1195. The people of the city fled during these attacks. Most of the city, and most of its temples, were destroyed. After this attack, the residents did not return, and the city became deserted.[8]
The Jain Harivamsa Purana refers to Vatsaraja's rule in Saka year 705 (A.D. 783). It is believed that he was highly influential in Upakesapura (Osian), as inscriptions of Vikram Samvat dating back to 1013 (A.D. 956), and referring to this place, have been found.
Religion edit
It is conjectured from several pieces of evidence that the people of Osian become Jain by Acharya Ratnaprabhasuriji, who had impressed the populace of the region with his supernatural powers.[citation needed]
The Mahavira Temple is an important tirtha for Jains. According to an inscription found at Sachiya Mata Temple dating back to 956 A.D., it was built during the Gurjara-Pratihara dynasty by King Vatsaraja in 783 AD,[9][10][11] making it the oldest surviving Jain temple in Western India.[12] According to Jain legends, Acharya Ratnaprabhasuri in (c. 457 BCE) restored the life of son of a prominent brahman following this even the villagers converted to Jainism and this place for origination of Oswal community.[13][14] Witnessing the power of Ratnaprabhasuri Goddess Chamunda was compelled to become a Jain vegetarian deity[13][15] and became the protector deity of the temple, protecting devotees who worship image of Mahavira in the temple.[16] Ratnaprabhasuri then named her Sachiya Mata as she truthfully advised Ratnaprabhasuri to stay in Osian during Chaturmas.[17]
Osian is an important Jain pilgrimage center for the Maheshwari and Oswal Jain communities. The (Mahavira, महावीर) Temple, built here in A.D. 783, is an important tirtha for Jains built by Gurjara Pratihara King Vatsaraja.[4]
The Nagas of Osian and the surrounding region, thus seem to have continued serpent worship even after their conversion to Jainism and for this reason, their parallel worship of Hindu goddess Sachiya Mata by the Oswal Jain community seems relevant.
The Sachiya Mata Temple also equally old and important situated on a hill north-east of Mahavira Temple, enable us some clues to understand the social history of that period. This Temple was built by Upaldev who is the brother of Raja Punj the son of King 'Bheemsain' (king of Bhinmal). This has many decorative features of a Jain temple. However, it is dedicated to Sachiya Mata, though Jains also worship here, which also is a matter of interest to understand the emergence of Jain community in this city.
The Shingavi, Baid, Bafna, Lunawat, Tated, Parekh, Karnavat and many other clans of Jain community conduct their 'Mundan-Sanskar' in Sachiya Mata Temple .
Demographics edit
In the 2011 India census, Osian reported 12,548 inhabitants, 6,572 of whom were male and 5,976 of female, which gave a gender ratio of 909 females per thousand males.[1]
Transport edit
The nearest airport is at Jodhpur Airport. State Highway 61 passes through Osian. Osiyan railway station is situated on the Jodhpur–Jaisalmer line of North Western Railway. Astonfield completed a five megawatt (MW) solar power plant in the town, which is the first industry in this holy town.
Gallery edit
Notable people edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b c Jodhpur District Census Handbook, page 204
- ^ 2011 Village Panchayat Code for Osian = 35850, . Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India. Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ^ "Where is Osian, Rajasthan, India on Map Lat Long Coordinates". www.latlong.net. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
- ^ a b Brajesh Krishna (1990). The art under the Gurjara-Pratihāras. Harman Pub. House. p. 45. ISBN 978-81-85151-16-8.
- ^ sinha, manoshi (29 June 2017). "Osian: 8th Century Architectural Lotus Blooming in the Desert!". myIndiamyGlory. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ *Dobbie, Aline (2002). India: The Peacock's Call. Aline Dobbie's India books. p. 43. ISBN 9781843940104. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- ^ Kalia, p.1
- ^ Kalia, p.2
- ^ Kalia 1982, p. 2.
- ^ Panikar 2010, p. 309.
- ^ Bose 2015, p. 148.
- ^ Cort 1998, p. 112.
- ^ a b Dundas 2002, p. 149.
- ^ Hassan 1989, p. 260.
- ^ Babb 2015, p. 123.
- ^ Babb 2004, p. 169.
- ^ Qvarnström 2010, p. 42.
Sources edit
- Babb, Lawrence A. (10 August 2004). Alchemies of Violence: Myths of Identity and the Life of Trade in Western India. New Delhi: SAGE Publishing. ISBN 9788132103219.
- Babb, Lawrence A. (28 May 2015). Understanding Jainism. Understanding Faith. Dunedin Academic Press. ISBN 9781780465357.
- Bose, Melia Belli (25 August 2015). Royal Umbrellas of Stone: Memory, Politics, and Public Identity in Rajput Funerary Art. Brill's Indological Library. New Delhi: Brill Publishers. ISBN 9789004300569.
- Cort, John E. (1998). Open Boundaries: Jain Communities and Cultures in Indian History. SUNY Press. ISBN 9780791437865.
- Dundas, Paul (2002) [1992]. The Jains (Second ed.). London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-415-26605-5.
- Hassan, Syed Siraj ul (1989). The Castes and Tribes of H.E.H. the Nizam's Dominions. Vol. 1. Asian Educational Services. ISBN 9788120604889.
- Kalia, Asha (1982). Art of Osian Temples: Socio-economic and Religious Life in India, 8th-12th Centuries A.D. Abhinav Publications. ISBN 9780391025585. Retrieved 7 February 2015.
- Panikar, Agustin (2010). Jainism: History, Society, Philosophy and Practice. Lala Sunder Lal Jain research series. Vol. 24. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass. ISBN 978-81-208-3460-6.
- Qvarnström, Olle (2010). Jainism and Early Buddhism: Essays in Honor of Padmanabh S. Jaini. Jain Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-89581-956-7.
External links edit
- "Photograph: Maha-Maru - Harihara temple 1 - Garbhagrha, north jangha detail Osian, temple". American Institute for Indian Studies. from the original on 10 November 2014.