Just a short drive from Gwalior, on the outskirts of Dabra in Madhya
Pradesh, stands newly built and a fascinating temple - the Shri Navgrah
Shaktipeeth. Dedicated to the Navgrahas (the 9 celestial
deities), the temple is quickly becoming a sought-after destination for
devotees, architecture enthusiasts, and offbeat explorers like me.
Inaugurated in February 2026, the massive temple built of
white marble presents a breathtaking blend of grand architecture, intricate
craftsmanship, and timeless spiritual symbolism - seems like a wonder created by none other than divine architect "Vishwakarma".
Spread across nearly 12 acres, temple allows
devotees to worship all nine planetary deities - Surya, Chandra, Mangal, Budh,
Brihaspati, Shukra, Shani, Rahu and Ketu within a single roof. Each deity has
been positioned in a way that no planet directly faces another, symbolizing
harmony among cosmic energies and reflecting principles of Vastu Shastra and
Jyotish. Entry to temple greets the visitors with an image of event Dev-asur Samudra-Manthan.
Temple has 3 stories; ground floor has temples dedicated
only to the Navgrahs, on 1st floor Navgrahs are with their wives,
and 2nd floor is dedicated to associated deities of Navgrahs. I was
also unaware about the names of wives of Navgrahs and their deities, sharing
what I learnt, in order – Navgrah – Name of Wive - Deity:
Ravi/ Surya (Sun) - Usha and Chaya – God Ram
Chandra (Moon) - Rohini – God Shiv
Mangala (Mars) - Shakti – God Hanuman
Budha (Mercury) - Ila - God Vishnu
Brihaspati / Guru (Jupiter) - Tara – God Brahma
Shukra (Venus) - Sukeerthi - Goddess Lakshmi
Shani (Saturn) - Neela – God Hanuman
Rahu – Simhi - Goddess
Durga
Ketu - Chitralekha – God
Ganesh
The architecture is equally captivating. Built on 108
massive pillars, the temple draws inspiration from the sacred number 108,
representing the 27 nakshatras multiplied by their 4 directions.
As Sun is considered the King or chief Navgrah, the grand
Surya temple at the centre of the temple forms the architectural highlight.
The idols, crafted using Ashtadhatu (alloy of
8 metals) and specially selected marble, are designed to reflect the
traditional colours and characteristics associated with each planet. Temples have wide corridors and ample open spaces for convenience of visitors.
Apart from the main temple, landscaped gardens, water
bodies, and a peaceful ambience make the complex also feels like a spiritual
retreat. There is a Nakshatra Vatika, a constellation themed garden - where visitors can rest or meditate amidst greenery and
feel the cosmic vibes. Maintained gardens and fountains encourage visitors to
absorb the surroundings. Beautiful temple has number of wonderful spots, like Navgrah Sarovar, a pond surrounded by trees to let visitors refresh with cold air.
The temple is located near Dabra, approx. 45 km. from Gwalior city, perfect for a weekend outing. If you are heading towards Orchha,
take a turn to this temple for a rewarding heritage itinerary. This is the grand entrance gate of Navgrah Peeth. If you have started early from Gwalior, 36 km. ahead is Datia - noted for sacred Pitambra Peeth (dedicated to Goddess Baglamukhi) and 7 storied Datia Fort, also known as Bir Singh Palace. Navgrah Peeth, in Dabra (Gwalior district) is the largest Navgrah temple in Asia and new in its grandeur. There is another Navgrah temple - Narayan Koti mandir near Guptkashi which reflects its ancient heritage going back to 9th century. White marbles reflect sun light, so may carry a good pair of sunglasses to avoid the occasional glare and keep your eyes comfortable.
To conclude: The Navgrah Temple is more than a place
of worship, but an expression of timeless relationship between the heavens
above and the faith within. It is a fascinating blend of symbolism,
architecture, and faith. Whether you arrive seeking planetary blessings or
simply a spiritual trip, the experience will stay for long.
