|
|
|
| Navagraha Temple |
|
| | | |
History
The Navagraha Temple is one of the many temples located across the country that are devoted to ‘Navagraha’ or the nine celestial bodies or ‘grahas’ of Hindu astrology. The Navagraha Temple of Assam was constructed by Tarun Duarah, on the orders of Ahom King Rajeswar Singha in the 18th century. It was subsequently renovated during the years 1923-45, after having its temple tower destroyed by an earthquake, which was later rebuilt with ridged iron sheets.
The ‘garbhagriha’ made of bricks however, still exists today. A tank known as ‘Silpukhuri’ was also excavated near the temple, and is currently used to provide water to the devotees who come to pay homage to the deities of the temple. Built on top of the Chitrasal or Navagraha hill in Guwahati, Assam, the temple houses nine Shivalingams that represent the nine celestial bodies. Each is covered with a coloured garment symbolising each celestial body, with the Shivalingam in the middle symbolising the sun. The temple is also known as the Abode of Surya.
The celestial bodies that the temple is dedicated to are : Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Chevvaai/Mangal (Mars), Budhan (Mercury), Guru/Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu (North Lunar Node) and Ketu (South Lunar Node).
|
Best time to visit
The best time to visit the Navagraha Temple is between the months of November to March.
|
Trivia
The tank near the temple miraculously continues to be as full of water as it was when it was excavated and supplies water to the needy every day.
|
Timing
The temple remains open from dawn to dusk.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travel Tools
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |