Navgraha Temple located in Guwahati, considered the religious and cultural capital of North-East India, is considered a center of attraction for devotees and tourists. This ancient temple situated on the Chitrashal hill is not only a symbol of religious faith, but is also considered a witness to India’s ancient astrological and astronomical tradition. Devotees coming to Kamakhya Devi Temple for darshan visit the Navagraha Temple in large numbers, due to which there is constant crowd here.
Navagraha temple is called the ‘astronomical center of the East’, because instead of the idols of Gods and Goddesses, special worship of nine planets including Sun and Moon is done here. It is believed that by worshiping and pacifying the planets in this temple, the defects of the horoscope are pacified and the obstacles in life are removed. This is the reason why people from different parts of the country are coming here with the desire to get relief from the adverse effects of the planets.
The biggest feature of this temple is that not the idol of any deity, but nine planets (Navagraha) are worshiped here. Sun, Moon, Mars, Mercury, Jupiter, Venus, Saturn, Rahu and Ketu, all these planets are established here in different forms. Each planet is represented by a stone of a particular color and a cloth colored according to the planet is placed over them. This is the reason why this temple is considered a big center of faith to astrology and planetary peace.
The Navagraha temple was built by King Rajeshwar Singh of the Ahom dynasty in the 18th century. It is believed that this place was earlier used for astronomical studies and astrological calculations. Assam has been an important center of astrology and Tantra Vidya since ancient times and this temple is a symbol of that tradition.
It is believed that by worshiping here with true heart and pacifying the planets, the defects of the horoscope like Kaalsarp Dosh, Shani Dosh, Rahu-Ketu Dosh and inauspicious condition of the planets get pacified. Especially people suffering from Saturn, Rahu and Ketu come here to perform special puja. Devotees believe that worship done in Navagraha temple removes obstacles in life and brings happiness and prosperity.
According to mythological beliefs, this place is considered to be the abode of Navagrahas. It is said that ancient sages used to sit here and study the movement of planets and their effects. It is also mentioned in some stories that by the grace of Lord Shiva, this place was considered the center of planetary powers. For this reason it is considered a very sacred place.
Navagraha Temple is located at a distance of about 5–6 kilometers from Guwahati Railway Station. One can easily reach here by taxi, auto or private. There is a paved road to climb Chitrashal hill. After reaching the hill, a beautiful view of Guwahati city can also be seen, which attracts both devotees and tourists.
