Guwahati, October 16: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced that the 18th-century Navagraha temple, built by Ahom King Rajeswar Singha, will be allotted ₹12 crore for renovation to create new facilities for the convenience of devotees.
Himanta Biswa Sarma told the media, “The Navagraha Devalaya in Guwahati is all set for a transformation with a ₹12+ crore plan to upgrade existing facilities and develop new ones. Amenities will be developed to ensure convenience for devotees and to maintain the true character of the holy place.”
The CM also shared a graphic video of the to-be-renovated temple on his social media handles.
The project will include the renovation and development of the parking area, view tower, office building, temple priest accommodation building, and astrologers’ block. Additionally, multi-purpose buildings, vendor stalls, and a security room will also be constructed.
According to Temples and Legends of Assam by BK Barua and HV Sreenivasa Murthy, published in 1965, the temple was built in 1752 (1674 in the Saka Era) by Ahom King Rajeswar Singha, son of King Rudra Singha. A stone inscription on the walls of the temple records its construction by Tarun Duarah under the orders of King Rajeswar Singha, who believed strongly in astrology.
Notably, the announcement of funds is expected to equip the temple with modern facilities, attract more devotees, and boost religious tourism. The top of the temple, called the “Sikhara,” was destroyed by an earthquake in 1897 and was rebuilt with a corrugated iron sheet.
According to historian KL Barua, the Navagraha temple is the origin of the name Pragjyotishpura, or the City of Eastern Astrology, as Assam was called in the early period. The temple, located atop the Citrachal Hill in Guwahati, is widely visited by devotees who offer prayers to the nine planetary gods: Surya (Sun), Chandra (Moon), Mangala (Mars), Budha (Mercury), Brihaspati (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), Rahu, and Ketu (the north and south nodes of the moon).
AMLAN KAKATI
