Navagraha Temple

Getting there

• By air

  Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU), at Borjhar, is about 20 km west of the city centre.

• By train

  Guwahati railway station (GHY), in the Paltan Bazaar area, is the busiest railway station in the city.

• By road

  Buses are the major means of public transport in Guwahati.

Why devotees come here

The Navagraha Temple stands on top of Chitrasal Hill, also called Navagraha Hill, in Guwahati city, Assam. It is devoted to the nine major celestial bodies of Hindu astronomy, and nine Shivalingams are enshrined inside, each covered in a coloured garment.

Navagraha temples are devoted to the nine major celestial bodies of Hindu astronomy. The Guwahati temple on Chitrasal Hill is described as an ancient and unique astrological temple. It is also described as an important astrological and astronomical centre in Assam. It is believed that the ancient name of Guwahati, Pragjyotishapura, originated from this temple. This is a belief, not a settled fact. Guwahati is the largest city in Assam.

Nine Shivalingams are enshrined inside, representing the nine celestial bodies. Each is covered with a coloured garment symbolic of its celestial body. The central Shivalingam symbolises the Sun. The existing temple is built of brick.

The temple's origin is dated to the 18th century, and inscriptions on its walls support this. It is linked to the Ahom king Swargadeo Rajeswar Singha, who reigned from 1751 to 1769. A considerable portion of the temple was destroyed by an earthquake, and it was later rebuilt with ridged iron sheets.

Tips for your visit

• Water for devotees comes from Silpukhuri, a tank dug at some distance from the temple, and it gives a continuous supply.
• Kamakhya, a separate Shakti shrine on Nilachal hill, is also in Guwahati, so check the name before you ask for directions.

Questions people ask