Why to visit Navgraha Temple
The Navagraha Temple, also known as the temple of the nine celestial bodies, is located on Chitrachal Hill in Guwahati's south eastern district.
It is also the home of the sun, one of the most important heavenly bodies. Surya, Chandra, Mangala, Budha, Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Rahu, and Ketu are represented by 9 phallic emblems of Lord Shiva in the temple, each dressed in a different coloured material. At the same time, the temple serves as an astrology and astronomy study centre.
The temple's tower and a large portion of it were previously damaged by an earthquake, but it was later rebuilt. In 1752 A.D., King Rajesvar Singha built the temple that is still standing today. The inner quarter of the temple, known as the garbhagriha, was spared from the earthquake, while the upper portion was restored with corrugated iron sheets.
Also nearby is the Silpukhuri Tank, which was excavated by Rajesvara Singha. The Navagraha Temple is quite easy to reach given its proximity to Guwahati and the availability of regular bus and taxi services.