Old Navagraha Temple, Maligaon is a hilltop shrine in western Guwahati, in the Kamakhya Colony and Bara Bazar area. Dedicated to the nine celestial bodies, or Navagrahas, it houses nine Shivlings and offers sweeping views of the Brahmaputra river and the city. Entry is free, and it opens daily for darshan.
What Is the Old Navagraha Temple, Maligaon?
The Old Navagraha Temple, Maligaon is a small hilltop Hindu shrine dedicated to the Navagrahas, the nine celestial bodies of Hindu astrology. Locals reach it by climbing a short rise near Bara Bazar in the Kamakhya Colony area of Maligaon.
According to local accounts, the temple dates to around 1945, which is why residents call it the old Navagraha Temple. It sits close to the site of the former Aruna Cinema Hall, on the Pandu side of western Guwahati.
Quotable fact: the Old Navagraha Temple, Maligaon enshrines nine Shivlings in its main hall, each representing one of the nine celestial bodies worshipped in the Navagraha tradition.
The Nine Shivlings
Inside the temple, nine Shivlings stand together, each symbolising a planetary force. Devotees walk around them, offer oil, light lamps and pray for health, peace and relief from planetary troubles.
The shrine is plain and unadorned compared with grand South Indian temples. Its appeal lies in the calm atmosphere and the quiet devotion of the mostly local crowd.
The Hilltop Viewpoint
Just opposite the temple is a viewpoint that many visitors rate as the highlight. From here you get a bird’s eye view of Guwahati, with the wide Brahmaputra river curving across the horizon.
We found the viewpoint especially rewarding in the late afternoon, when the light softens over the river. It is a favourite spot for photography and a peaceful pause away from the busy city below.
What Are the Navagrahas and Why Are They Worshipped?
Navagraha comes from two words: nava, meaning nine, and graha, meaning planet or celestial body. In Hindu belief, these nine forces influence a person’s destiny based on their position at the time of birth.
Worshippers visit Navagraha shrines to balance these influences, calm difficult planetary periods and invite good fortune. Unlike some Shakti sites in Assam, Navagraha worship centres on prayer and offerings rather than sacrifice.
The nine celestial bodies are:
- Surya, the Sun, placed at the centre
- Chandra, the Moon
- Mangala, or Mars
- Budha, or Mercury
- Brihaspati, or Jupiter
- Shukra, or Venus
- Shani, or Saturn
- Rahu, the north lunar node
- Ketu, the south lunar node
In practice, devotees often focus their prayers on the graha linked to a challenge they are facing, such as Shani for hardship or Guru for wisdom and growth.
How Is It Different From the Chitrachal Navagraha Temple?
This is the point that confuses many visitors, so it helps to be clear. Guwahati has two Navagraha shrines, and they are not the same place. Understanding the difference is part of the Navagraha Temple Guwahati history worth knowing.
The famous one is the Navagraha Mandir on Chitrachal Hill, also called Navagraha Hill, in the central eastern part of the city. It was rebuilt by the Ahom king Rajeswar Singha in 1752 and is known for its beehive shaped dome and its role as an old centre of astronomy and astrology.
The Old Navagraha Temple, Maligaon is a separate, much quieter hilltop shrine in the west of the city. It carries far less recorded history, but it offers a calmer visit and a wonderful viewpoint.
Here is a quick comparison:
| Feature | Old Navagraha Temple, Maligaon | Navagraha Mandir, Chitrachal Hill |
| Location | Kamakhya Colony, Bara Bazar, Maligaon | Chitrachal Hill, near Silpukhuri |
| Origin | Said to date to around 1945 | Rebuilt by King Rajeswar Singha in 1752 |
| Enshrines | Nine Shivlings for the Navagrahas | Nine Graha Lingams for the Navagrahas |
| Known for | Hilltop viewpoint, river views, monkeys | Ancient history, beehive dome, research |
| From railway station | About 8 to 10 km | About 3 km |
| Crowd | Quiet, mostly local devotees | Popular, steady pilgrim footfall |
Our take: if you want history and grandeur, visit Chitrachal. If you want a peaceful, offbeat climb with a great view, the Maligaon shrine is the one to seek out.
Old Navagraha Temple Maligaon Timings and Entry Fee
The Old Navagraha Temple Maligaon timings follow the usual rhythm of a neighbourhood hill shrine. It generally opens in the early morning and stays accessible through the day into the evening.
Exact hours are not officially published and can shift with local rituals and seasons. Because of this, we suggest confirming timings with the priests or nearby residents if you plan a very early or late visit.
On entry and cost:
- There is no entry fee, and darshan is open to everyone
- Visitors remove footwear before stepping into the shrine
- Oil, lamps and simple offerings are common
- Voluntary donations toward upkeep are welcomed but never required
Best Time to Visit
The best months are October to March, when Guwahati weather is cool and pleasant. Morning and late afternoon hours are ideal, giving you comfortable temperatures for the short climb and clear light at the viewpoint.
How Do You Reach the Old Navagraha Temple in Maligaon?
Knowing how to reach the Navagraha Temple Guwahati travellers want in Maligaon is simple once you use the right landmarks. The temple lies in western Guwahati, near the Kamakhya foothills and Kamakhya Railway Station.
It is roughly 8 to 10 km west of the main city centre and about 15 to 20 km from Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. The Kamakhya area is well linked to the rest of Guwahati.
A simple step by step route:
- Head toward Maligaon or Kamakhya from central Guwahati
- From Paltan Bazar, take a bus, auto or cab marked for Maligaon or Kamakhya Colony
- Ask for Bara Bazar, near the old Aruna Cinema Hall on Pandu Port Road
- From the base, walk up the short hill path to the temple
- Cross to the viewpoint opposite the shrine for the river views
App based cabs and local autos are the easiest options, and most drivers know the Kamakhya Colony area well.
Visitor Tips Before You Go
A few practical notes make the visit smoother:
- The hill has many monkeys, so keep phones, bags and food secured
- Watch young children closely on the climb and near the viewpoint
- Dress modestly and be ready to remove your footwear
- Carry water, since there are few shops on the hill itself
- Visit in daylight for the safest walk and the clearest views
Other Historic Hilltop Temples Near Maligaon, Guwahati
One reason to plan this trip is that several historic hilltop temples near Maligaon Guwahati sit close together, so you can combine them in a single outing. Western Guwahati is dotted with sacred hills.
- Kamakhya Temple, on Nilachal Hill, is one of India’s most revered Shakti Peethas and lies very close to Maligaon
- Bhubaneswari Temple, higher up the same Nilachal ridge, adds another viewpoint over the river
- The Chitrachal Navagraha Mandir, further east, is the historic 18th century Navagraha shrine
Paired together, these make a rewarding circuit of hilltop temples in Guwahati, blending famous pilgrimage sites with quiet, local corners like the Maligaon shrine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Old Navagraha Temple in Maligaon?
The Old Navagraha Temple sits on a small hill in the Kamakhya Colony and Bara Bazar area of Maligaon, in western Guwahati, close to the site of the old Aruna Cinema Hall on Pandu Port Road. It lies near the Kamakhya foothills, roughly 8 to 10 km west of the city centre.
What are the Old Navagraha Temple Maligaon timings?
The temple generally welcomes devotees from early morning until evening, in line with most Guwahati shrines. Exact hours are not officially published and can change with local rituals and seasons, so it is best to confirm timings with local priests or residents before planning a very early or late visit.
Is there an entry fee at the Old Navagraha Temple?
No. Like most temples in Guwahati, the Old Navagraha Temple, Maligaon has no entry fee, and darshan is open to all. Visitors simply remove their footwear before entering. Many devotees offer oil and light lamps, and voluntary donations toward upkeep are welcomed but never required.
How is it different from the famous Navagraha Temple in Guwahati?
They are two separate shrines. The famous Navagraha Mandir stands on Chitrachal Hill in central Guwahati and was rebuilt by Ahom king Rajeswar Singha in 1752. The Old Navagraha Temple in Maligaon is a quieter hilltop shrine in the west of the city, best known for its viewpoint over the river.
Are there monkeys at the temple?
Yes. The hill around the Old Navagraha Temple has a lively monkey population, which is common at Guwahati hill shrines. They may snatch food, phones or bags, so keep belongings zipped and avoid carrying open packets. Families should watch young children closely while walking up to the temple and viewpoint.
Is the Old Navagraha Temple worth visiting?
Yes, especially if you enjoy quiet, offbeat spots. The shrine itself is simple, but the hilltop viewpoint offers wide views of the Brahmaputra river and Guwahati, making it a favourite for photography. Paired with nearby Kamakhya Temple, it rounds out a half day of hilltop temple visits in western Guwahati.
Conclusion
Old Navagraha Temple, Maligaon may not carry the fame of Guwahati’s Chitrachal shrine, but it offers something quieter and just as memorable. A simple hilltop temple to the nine celestial bodies, ringed by monkeys and crowned with a sweeping view of the Brahmaputra, it rewards travellers who like to wander off the usual trail.
With free entry, an easy location near Kamakhya and calm surroundings, the Old Navagraha Temple, Maligaon is one of the most peaceful hilltop temples in Guwahati to add to your itinerary.