Shri
Osiyanji Tirth
Mulnayak:
Nearly 80 cms. High, Golden - Colored idol of Bhagawan Mahavir Swami in the Padmasana
posture.
How to Reach: It is in the center of the Osian village. The Osian tirth
is on the Jodhpur - Jaisalmer railway line. Jodhpur is at a distance of 65 kilometers.
Art
and Architecture: Mahavir temple
Temple art
Historicity: The Mahavir temple of Osian (also Osia or Osyan), located on
the western edge of the town and a long way from the Hindu temple-hill, has found entry
into about all the major books on Indian art and architecture. The same cannot be said,
regrettably, of other, equally splendid Jaina temples. The easy access from Jodhpur by
rail and road - a distance of fifty-two kilometres - may have something to do with it. The
main reason for the scholars' attention to this
shrine is, however, its significance as one of the very few still extant prototypes of a
new and more elaborate temple- style that was to develop into such masterpieces as the
Parshvanath temples at Khajuraho, Sadri and Ranakpur. The Mahavir temple at Osian was
built, according to an inscription, in the last quarter of the eighth century, at a time
prior to the bigger intrusions of Muslim forces, in the course of which many temples were
reduced to rubble. Unfortunately, none of the original Jina statues of the Mahavir temple
have come to light; also the tower above the sanctum is of a later time and style. Though
there. Are only a few Jaina families left in Osian; this well documented temple is still
in active Svetambar worship
Once this was a large and
prosperous city. In ancient times, it was known by many names. The inscription states that
king Utpaldev built this temple and Acharya Ratnapradhasurishvarji installed the idol. In
the ‘Osian Vir Stavan’ composed by Shri Nayapramod, the disciple of Hir Udaya in
the year 1712 o the Vikram era, it is stated that this idol was installed by King
Samprati. After lying in the hollow of the earth for centuries, when Uhad, the king’s
advisor, settled. The city, Acharya Ratnapradhasurishvarji blessed this land by putting
his foot - steps on it. There is a reference. That this temple was renovated and the idol
was installed in it in the year 1017 of the Vikram era. It was renovated again and again
from time to time. There is a famous and very miraculous idol of the presiding deity
named. Puniya Baba and the ancient idols of a male snake and a female snake are also
there. Acharya Ratnaprabhaji preached Chamundadevi and made her right - faithed
(Samyaktvi) and adorned her with the name Sachchimata. By her divine power, an idol of
Bhagawan Mahavir was made of cow - milk and sand. The Acharya as Mulnayak installed the
idol. A fare is held here on the third day of the bright half of the month of Phlagun.
There is a Dadawadi on the hill in the village; there are charan of Acharya Ratnaprabhaji
Surisvarji. There is also a temple of Sachaiamata at a distance of one kilometer. This is
a tirth of religion as a well as tirth of From the viewpoint of art and sculpture
Researchers of archaeological skill and ancient sculpture, come here from the country and
from abroad.
Trust: Shri Mangalsinhji Ratansinhji Dev Pedhi Trust, Osian: 342302,
Dist. Jodhpur, Rajasthan State, India.