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Voykit pocket guide · India
Osiyan
Osian
Half a day to see the temple ruins, or one night for a camel safari into the Thar Desert. A stop between Jodhpur and Jaisalmer, not a base.
Osiyan is a small desert town 65 km north of Jodhpur, known for 16 Hindu and Jain temples carved between the 8th and 12th centuries. Most are ruins, but the Sacchiyay Mata Temple and Mahaveera Jain Temples are well preserved. The main draw is the surrounding Thar Desert: camel safaris, village walks and overnight camps. Most travellers spend one night at a desert camp or pass through on the Jodhpur–Jaisalmer road.
- Country
- India
- Local name
- Osian
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (extreme heat), Jul–Sep (monsoon, though rain is light)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid ₹3,000–5,000 excl. bed · High ₹6,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Fire and ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Chai at a roadside stall | ₹10–20 |
| Thali meal at a basic restaurant | ₹150–300 |
| Bottled water (1 L) | ₹20 |
| Camel safari, half-day | ₹1,000–4,000 |
| Taxi Jodhpur–Osiyan one-way | ₹1,500–3,000 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- JDH · Jodhpur Airport
- About 65 km (40 mi) south; taxi or bus to Osiyan takes about 1.5 hAbout 40 mi (65 km) south; taxi or bus to Osiyan takes about 1.5 h
Typical fares
- Jodhpur → Osiyan by bus
- about ₹100–150, about 1.5 h (check)
- Jodhpur → Osiyan by taxi
- ₹1,500–3,000, about 1.5 h (check)
- Osiyan → Jaisalmer by bus
- about ₹200–300, about 3 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walking covers the temple area and step-well. For desert camps and village safaris, arrange transport through your camp or hire a taxi from Jodhpur.
See and do
Known for
- Sacchiyay Mata Temple
- Mahaveera Jain Temples
- Camel safaris in the Thar Desert
- Katan Baori step-well
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Jodhpur | Bus or train, about 1.5 h | About 1.5 h |
| Jaisalmer | Bus or train via Phalodi, about 3 h | About 3.5 h |
| Khuri | Taxi or bus via Jaisalmer, about 3.5 h | About 4 h |
| Ranakpur | Taxi via Jodhpur, about 3 h | About 3.5 h |
Sleep
- Desert camps outside town
- Camp Thar and The Camel Camp offer tents, meals and safari packages; book ahead.
- Osiyan town
- Basic guesthouses near the temple area; fewer amenities than the camps.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | नमस्तेnamaste |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| How much? | कितना?kitna? |
| Yes / No | हाँ / नहींhaan / nahin |
| Water | पानीpaani |
| The bill, please | बिल दीजिएbil deejiye |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Camel safari prices vary widely: confirm what is included (meals, water, guide) before booking.
- Temple ruins are unprotected in places; watch your step on loose stones.
- Carry cash — there are no ATMs in Osiyan (check).
- Last train from Jodhpur to Osiyan is early evening; check the schedule.
Osiyan is safe for tourists. The main risks are heatstroke in summer, negotiating safari prices without a written agreement, and limited medical facilities — the nearest hospital is in Jodhpur.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Osiyan yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Sacchiyay Mata Temple
- Mahaveera Jain Temples
- Camel safaris in the Thar Desert
- Katan Baori step-well
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Osiyan, revision 5282953 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5282953
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/osiyan). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.