Jain Temples

       Jain temples is a group of fine temples. These were built in the 12th to 15th century within the Jaisalmer Fort. They are beautifully carved and dedicated to Rikhabdevji and Sambhavnathji. The Gyan Bhandar, a library containing some extremely old manuscripts, is within the temple complex. The temples are open till 12 noon. There is also a Shiva and a Ganesh temple within the fort which also close at 12 noon.

Ossian, Jodhpur

      Ossian is situated at the edge of the Thar Desert, 65 km north west of Jodhpur. Though Ossian does not figure in the regular tourist guides of India, yet this once prosperous city boasts more than 100 Hindu and Jain temples dating back to the Medieval age. Legend has it that the town was founded by Utpaladeva, a Rajput prince of the Pratihara dynasty. It was then known as Ukesha or Upkeshapur.

      The temples of here are among the earliest of all medieval temples of Rajasthan. Ruins of several temples dot the present day Ossian. The earlier temples are almost like miniature shrines, some only eight feet in height. Among these intricately carved red sandstone edifices, three are dedicated to Harihara- or the union of Vishnu and Shiva. Profously carved from their raising plinths, pillars and right upto the very pinnacle of the spires, these temples are considered architectural masterpieces even by foreign scholars such as Percy Brown, James Burgess and Herman Goetz.

      Among the oldest group of temples stands the Sun temple which was built in 10th century. They are often compared to the carvings of the Sun temple of Konark. According to records , right in the middle of the town stood a another magnificent Sun temple. This, and a score other beautiful shrines were subsequently destroyed during the Turkish and Afghan invasions of India.

      Out of the more than 100 temples this town once had, barely 16 stand today. Even these have been ravaged by time. Although majority of the temples at Ossian have decayed with time and have even lost images of their deities- the one temple that remains vibrant is the shrine of Sachiyamata on a nearby hillock. Built in 1234 A.D, this temple was dedicated to Durga or Mahisasura Mardini. Today it has become a very important shrine for Jains.



Dargah,Ajmer

      Dargah is the final resting place for 'Gharib-Nawaz'- people of all religions All of them visit the dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The Khwaja left for heavenly abode in 1256 AD after a six day prayer in seclusion. These six days are celebrated every year as the annual Urs, which is attended by pilgrims irrespective of their faith. The shrine is considered to be a place of wish fulfilment for those who pray with pure hearts.

      It is said that Emperor Akbar sought blessings for his son at the Dargah. The entry to the Dargah is through the Buland Darwaza that leads to the inner courtyard. The high gateway has beautifully carved silver doors. In the courtyard are kept two huge cauldrons with capacity of 2240 Kg and 4480 Kg. On special occasions, Kheer cooked in these cauldrons is distributed among the pilgrims. The grave of the Sufi Saint is surrounded by a silver railing and is partially covered with a marble screen. The daughter of Shah Jahan had built a prayer room in the Dargah for the women devotees. The primises of the Dargah also has the tomb of Bhishti, tomb of Saint's daughter-Bili Hafiz Jama, tomb of Shah Jahan's daughter Chimni Begum.