Osiyan

Osiyan or " Osian " popularly known as "the Gateway to the Thar Desert," is a small town known for its ancient temple ruins and camel safaris in Rajasthan, India.

Understand

This ancient town in the Thar Desert was a great trading center between the 8th to 12th centuries. Today it is a desert oasis with 16 Brahamanical and Jain temples, beautifully sculpted and designed, most of which have withstood the ravages of time. Osiyan and the surrounding desert country is less visited and a more authentic place to experience desert village life, camping and a camel safari in the Thar Desert.

Get in

Muti-arched entrance to Sachiya Mata Sun Temple in Osiyan

Osiyan is about 65km north of Jodhpur off the main highway leading to Bikaner and easily accessible from Jaisalmer and Khimsar. Osiyan is on the route of Jodhpur-Jaisalmer (Train, Road) via Phalodi. Taking this route via Osiyan is less congested, and there is interesting desert countryside to explore. The roads are in fairly good condition.

See

• Sachiya Mata Temple - Also known as the Sun Temple. Sachiya Mata is a popular Hindu goddess. This is the most famous and most visited temple in town. It's very busy during Navratra, a nine day festival of the goddess Durga in the month of September.
• Mahaveera Jain Temples - Inside the city, is also a well kept temple complex, very interesting with old stone carvings. Other temples in town are just ruins, but they are reminders of the prosperity of this ancient town 1000 years ago.
• Katan Baori - A step well within walking distance east of the Jain temple and west from car parking.

Do

• Khetasar Village Safari (see weaver, potter, etc.)
• Camel Race and Camel Polo at Camel Camp.
• Authentic villages and stay at desert people's huts home-HACRA.

Eat

Budget

Cafe Osian on Osian-Phalodi Road near the railway track.

Mid-Range

Camp Thar (contact: Thakur Digvijay Singh (M)09414128574 www.campthar.com)

High-End - The Camel Camp (contact: R.K Reggie Singh (M) 09828032100 www.camelcamposian.com)

Drink

Mid-Range - Camp Thar (contact : Thakur Digvijay Singh (M) 09414128574 [www.campthar.com])

High-End - The Camel Camp (contact: R.K Reggie Singh (M) 09828032100 [www.camelcamposian.com])

Sleep

Krishna Guest House, between the bus stand and the temple hill.

Mid-Range - Camp Thar (contact: Thakur Digvijay Singh (M) 09414128574 www.campthar.com)

High-End - The Camel Camp (contact: R.K Reggie Singh (M) 09828032100 www.camelcamposian.com)

Staying a like truly desert-folk, HACRA is some further afield middle of desert villages, a chance to experience typical desert style huts home. HACRA is a team of desert natives offering home stays, camping and desert walks. (contact: [email protected]; www.hacra.org)

Get out

This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!