State : Assam in India.Significance L The Pilgrimage Centre
Location : Situated in the south eastern part of Guwahati in Assam, on a hill by name Citrasaala.
Know the Navagraha Temple in Assam
Also known as the Abodes of Surya, the Navagraha Temple or the temple of the nine celestial bodies is located in the south eastern part of Guwahati in Assam, on a hill by name Chitrachal. As the name indicates, this temple is dedicated to the nine planets in the solar system. Navagraha Temple at Guwahati Assam is a center of astrological and astronomical research. The Navagraha temple as it stands today was built by the ruler Rajeswar Singh in late 18th century AD. The temple tower was destroyed by an earthquake, but was reconstructed later.
Enshrined in this temple are nine Shivalingams, representing the nine Celestial bodies, each covered with a colored garment symbolic of each of the celestial bodies. The nine planetary gods, namely area - Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Sukra (Venus), Sani (Saturn), Rahu and Ketu. There is Surya Mandir near Guwahati on the Surya Pahar hill.
Journey to Navagraha Temple
Airport : Guwahati has its own airport. One can pick a bus or taxi to the temple.
Railhead : Guwahati is well linked to all the parts of India by rail lines. You can reach s by train from any part of India.
Road Transport : One can easily reach the Navagraha Temple by road from any part of Assam.
Staying near Navagraha Temple (Guwahati)
Guwahati offers several private hotels ranging from luxury to budget-friendly ones. Fish is a major delicacy in Assam and one can savour mouthwatering curries in and around Paltan Bazar at cheap rates. There are excellent accommodation facilities in and around Guwahati in Assam.
Sightseeing near Navagraha Temple in Guwahati
Kamakhya Temple
Guwahati is particularly famous for its Kamakhya temple located atop the Nilachal hill, at a distance of 10 km from the railway station. Known to be the most revered among the tantrik shrines of Shakti worship in the world, Kamakhya, was built in the 10th century by the Koch king, Naranarayan. Animal sacrifice is a common practice here to appease the Goddess.
Bhubaneshwari Temple
Above Kamakhya is another small temple, Bhubaneshwari, from where one can have a bird's eye view of the Guwahati.
Shiva Temple
The Shiva temple of Umananda, reached by motor boats and public ferries from Umananda Ghat, stands on an island in the middle of the Brahmaputra.
Guwahati Zoo
One must visit the Guwahati Zoo, which is the largest natural zoo of the country.
