Sachiya Mata Temple of Osian is located on a hill, in the north-east direction of the Mahavira Temple. It is the most favoured temptation in the city. It is devoted to the wife of Lord Indra, Goddess Sachiya Mata who is of equivalent importance to both Jains as well as Hindus. A staircase of hundred steps leads to the pious temple which will not only proffer you with a marvellous glimpse of the Temple itself but it will additionally give you a refreshing spectacle of the sand dunes and the wilderness. The temple has many archways all accompanying the steps to the height which makes the acclivity excellently wonderful. The temple is blessed with a myriad of carvings and figures displayed at the entrance of the temple and exposed by the absolute aura of this sumptuous area. At the north end of the temple, there is a statue of Varaha (boar), an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and in the east, there is an image of Lakshmi and Vishnu.
History
A stone inscription, at the Jain temple of Osian gives a different story about the name of Sachiya Mata. According to this story, a Jain monk, Acharya Shrimad Vijay Ratnaprabhasuriji Maharaj Sahib, visited Osian town to perform the ceremony known as Anjan Salakha, at the newly created temple of God Mahaveer, around 43 CE. The temple of Mahavir had been built by Uhad, who was a minister of King Upaldeo; at that time, Osian was known as Upkeshpur. A temple of Jagat Bhavani (Great Goddess) Chamunda Mata was in the town of Upkeshpur. To receive the grace of the goddess, sacrifices of male buffaloes used to be made in the temple, during the festival of Navratri.
When the Jain monk Vijay Ratnaprabhasuriji Maharaj learned about this practice, he felt deep sympathy for the animals sacrificed. Using his influence on the minister and king, he convinced them to ban this practice. The mother goddess Chamunda then became enraged and angry with the monk. He was tortured and vexed by the goddess. However, by virtue of his self-restraint and devotion to his cause against cruelty, the monk changed her heart. According to this story, Chamunda declared that she was convinced regarding the harmful nature of this practice, and therefore would not accept any offering which carries blood or is symbolic of blood. She offered blessings for the followers of the Jain religion, so that the cause of non-violence could perpetuate. The Jain monk gave a new name, Sachi Mata (Real Mother) to Chamunda. A temple in Katraj (Pune) is dedicated to Sachchiya Mata (Osiya Mata), close to the Swetamber Jain temple of Katraj. In her temple, Sachiya Mata-Ji is worshipped with lapsi (an Indian sweet dish), saffron, sandalwood, and incense.
