The Navagraha Temple, Guwahati, Assam: A Temple with 9 Heavenly Bodies

The Navagraha Temple in the state Assam is located at the peak of the Hill of Navagraha also known as Chitranchal Hill which is in the southeastern portion of Guwahati.

The prominent Temple Navagraha was known to be constructed in the late 18th century in 1752 AD by one of the King of Ahom the powerful Rajeswar Singha which still remains the same in the current situation but recently repaired and reconstructed in the following years 1923-45. The word Navagraha indicates the nine planets and this temple enshrined nine Shivalingams symbolizing the image of nine heavenly bodies which are associated with great religious values and importance.

Various types of colourful costumes are used to cover all the Shiva lingams that symbolize those heavenly bodies. Those coloured clothes signify the celestial bodies as Surya, Rahu, Mangla, Chandra, Shani, Ketu, Brihaspati and Budha. A Shivalingam placed at the centre of all the celestial bodies symbolizes and represent the divine power, the Sun. Therefore the temple of Navagraha is regarded as the dwelling of one of the most eminent celestial bodies i.e. the Sun. Shiva lingams are the representation of Lord Shiva which makes the temple the most visited place by the devotees of Lord Shiva.

In one of the Earthquake occurred in the past the temple suffered destruction as the upper section temple called 'Sikhara' got affected but after the natural disaster, it was restored with folded sheets of Iron. A part constructed with bricks called 'Garbagriha' which is the inner quarter of the temple though remains in existence as it survived the calamity Earthquake. During the rule of Rajeswar Singha, a tank was made close by the temple called Silpukhuri Temple. The Navagraha Temple is not just known all over the country for its religious values but known also as a centre of research for both Astronomy as well as for the study of Astrology for the reason of witnessing the 9 celestial bodies.

Visitors can visit the Navagraha Temple in a very easy way as the temple is situated very close to Guwahati city. They can easily take any taxi or Bus of the regular services from the city to reach the temple. The best time one may choose to visit the temple could be during the late autumn to spring season mainly in the months of February, March, November and December. During summer visitors may not be able to bear the hot and in rainy days it is not possible to visit this possible as continuous rain could spoil the journey

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