Jodhpur is the second largest city in Rajasthan and officially the second metropolitan city of the state. It was formerly the seat of a princely state of the same name. The capital of the kingdom was known as Marwar. Jodhpur is a popular tourist destination, featuring many palaces, forts and temples, set in the stark landscape of the Thar Desert.
Chamunda Mata Temple
Located in Mehrangarh Fort Jodhpur, the temple was built by Rao Jodha at the time when he was building the fort here in 1460. The hill where he chose to build this fort was occupied by the hermit but he was removed from there as a result he cursed the king that his fort will always face shortage of water.
To balance this curse by the saint he built the Chamunda Mata Temple inside the fort to protect the fort and its people. From that day Goddess Chamunda was the main deity of the Rajputs here.
The occasion of Dussehra sees a huge mass of devotees who visits this fort and the temple offering prayers and devotion to the Indian goddess who is also considered one of the many forms of Mata Shakti or more popularly Durga.
Siddhanth Shiv Temple
At a distance of 11 km from Jodhpur Fort and 10 km from Jodhpur Junction, Siddhanth Shiv temple is situated between Takhat Sagar hills and Kalyana Lake on Jodhpur-Chopasani Road in Jodhpur.
The Siddhanth Shiv temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The current location of the temple was a completely deserted place prior to its construction and this isolation and serenity attracted the hermit Veetragi Narain Swami who took shelter there. He was later declared as a highly regarded saint, respected and worshiped by the people residing in neighbouring areas.
At some point of time, a handicapped saint named Gaurishanker, later known as Nepali Baba, also came to this place. He had only four fingers in each of his hand and foot. Nepali Baba, himself, made a big temple by cutting stones. This temple is now known as Siddhanth Shiv Temple.
The temple is strategically located between Takhat Sagar hills of Rajasthan which makes it a little difficult to reach it. One can reach the temple only after crossing 1000 stairs made by cutting rocks.
Achal Nath Shivalaya
Achal Nath Shivalaya is a famous Shiv temple in Jodhpur. Constructed on instructions of Nanak Devi, the queen of Rao Ganga, the temple was completed on 21st May 1531. Inside the temple, there is a water reservoir that is called Bawari. This reservoir was made near the Shivlinga; and hence is known as Ganga Bawari.
Carved Chhitar stone was used to adorn all the halls of the temple. Garbh Griha and Mandap Bhawan form separate halls in the temple. The temple also contains a Kirtan Bhawan.
Udai Mandir
A true architectural wonder in the desert, Udai Mandir is situated on a raised platform in the sandy city of Jodhpur. Flaunting a front gate of sandstone, the design and layout of the Udai Mandir ooze out architectural brilliance. The structure of this popular attraction in Jodhpur is supported by more than 100 pillars.
The garbhagriha of the temple has its upper portion covered by a huge piece of cloth. This area of the temple is guarded by a circular railing that has been finely carved out of sandalwood, lending a fragrance to the temple that is absolutely ecstatic and exclusive. The grand door of the main temple has also been cut out of sandalwood, with beautiful engravings on it. The Temple has gold pots preserved inside it which have still retained their original glow and quality. The walls of the temple have beautiful wall paintings that depict 84 Yoga Asanas alongside images of Nath Yogis that have been carved from gold.
Rasik Bihari Temple
Rasik Bihari Temple famously known as ‘Naini Ji Temple’ is dedicated to Lord Krishna who is praised in the form of Rasik Bihari in this temple. This marvellous architecture temple stands on a 17ft high rectangular base. The main shrine of the temple is made completely of white stone. The main shrine is surrounded by meeting halls called Sabha Mandaps constructed by red sandstone pillars with a gallery called Parikrama.
The meeting hall is devoted to Rasik Bihari, Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. Statues of Lord Vishnu, Garuda, and Hanumanji on both sides of entrance doors are attractive. The temple also has the idol of Adi Vinayak Ganeshji (The Elephant God), placed at the entrance to the main hall of the temple.
Kunj Bihari Temple
Kunj Bihari Temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, also known as Sri Nathji, and belongs to Rama Nandi Vaishnava sect of Hindus. This imposing structure was constructed by Maharaja Vijay Singh in 1847 AD in the memory of his son, Sher Singh, who died at a very young age. The shrine has been beautifully built using Makrana stone and Chhitar sandstone.
Kunj Bihari Temple seems like a replica of the Ghanshyamji temple in Jodhpur and is an architectural marvel specially the temple top and entrance. It has a toran dwar at the entrance and a sanctum sanctorum. Atop the sanctum is an intricately carved shikhar, which has a kalash at the apex. The entrance of the temple is adorned with a statue of Meera Bai, the great devotee of Lord Krishna. To the left and right of this, are the statues of Lord Hanuman and Namdeo, a saint. The idol of the presiding deity, Lord Krishna is place inside the garbhagriha.
Osian Temples
Osian, located 65 km north of Jodhpur, is famous for its Hindu and Jain temples and is known as the Khajuraho of Rajasthan due to the erotic sculptures on the temples. A prominent trading center on the Silk Route from the 8th to the 12th century AD, Osian was also a major pilgrimage site during the Gurjara Pratihara dynasty, who ruled much of northern India from the 6th to the 11th centurty and was known as Upakesapura.
A famous pilgrimage site of the Oswal Jain community, most of the shrines and temples in Osian lie in ruins today.
Among the most famous tourist attractions of the village are the 16 temples that include Sachiya Mata temple, Sun temple, Mahaveera Jain temple, etc dating back to the 8th to the 11th century. With their intricate carvings, the Sun Temple, Sachiya Mata Temple and the Jain temple dedicated to Lord Mahavir stand out in their grace and architecture.
Source:
http://www.jodhpuronline.in/city-guide/temples-in-jodhpur
https://www.rajasthandirect.com/tourism/temples/chamunda-mata-temple-jodhpur
https://www.tourmyindia.com/states/rajasthan/chamunda-mataji-temple-jodhpur.html
https://www.trawell.in/rajasthan/jodhpur/siddhanth-shiv-temple
http://www.holidayiq.com/Achal-Nath-Shivalaya-Jodhpur-Sightseeing-390-8833.html
https://www.indianholiday.com/tourist-attraction/jodhpur/temples-in-jodhpur/udai-mandir.html
http://www.jodhpurindia.net/temples/rasik-bihari-temple.html
http://www.india.com/travel/osian/