Harihara Temple Osian

There are several Harihara Temples in Osian. The three early temples at Osian, built in the eighth century AD, were dedicated to Harihara, the half Vishnu and half Shiva combining the dual aspects of life giver and annihilator. These temples were constructed during the reign of the Gurjar Pratihar. The main Harihara Temple was built in the ninth century. It is a worth visiting temple at Osian. The most attractive feature of this temple is admirably carved ‘mandap’. Adjoining the temple is located a Ganesh Pillar and ‘baori’. Some other temples worth mentioning are the temples of Harihara III, IV and V. All of these temples are west facing with decorated walls. Two of these temples are of the Panchayatan (पंचायतन) class, standing on a high terrace. Their shikhar (शिखर) are crowned with the amalak (आमलक). In the temples are placed the images of Harihara and Vishnu. On the walls of these three temples have been depicted the exploits of Krishna, such as the story of his birth, the flight to Vrindavana, the destruction of Putana and Gorvardhan Girdhari etc.