Surya (Sun)
Lord of vitality, authority and the soul. Surya bestows health, confidence and spiritual illumination upon devotees.
Welcome to Nava Graha Mandir
A Sacred Place of Faith,
Peace and Spiritual Devotion
Nepal's first temple dedicated wholly to the Navagraha — the nine celestial deities — nestled in the tranquil Jalbaraha forest of Arjun Chaupari, Syangja.
About the Temple
Nepal’s First Navagraha Sanctuary
Nava Graha Mandir stands within the sacred Jalbaraha forest of Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality–1, Syangja — the first temple in Nepal built exclusively for the worship of the Navagraha, the nine celestial bodies of Hindu astrology. Rising as a nine-angled pillar crowned with a symbol of the solar system, the shrine invites devotees into a rare and deeply symbolic space of planetary devotion.
At the heart of the complex stands a hexagonal Shivalaya, home to a five-faced Shivalinga, encircled by the deities Ganesh, Kuladevata, Laxmi, Kalbhairava and Hanuman. Pilgrims enter through a single gate and complete nine circumambulations, honouring each celestial power before departing in peace.
Since its consecration, the temple has become the spiritual heart of Arjun Chaupari, drawing thousands of devotees for Saturday worship and reviving the surrounding village through faith-led tourism. It remains a place of quiet reflection, astrological guidance and communal celebration for the people of Syangja and beyond.
Our Story
History & Journey
The timeline below reflects publicly reported milestones. The committee is welcome to correct dates or add further detail as official records become available.
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Vision
A Long-Felt Need
Local leaders and devotees recognised that Nepal had no temple devoted solely to the Navagraha, unlike similar shrines found at Chitrasal Hill in Assam, India. Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality began planning a sanctuary to fill this spiritual gap.
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Construction
Built in the Jalbaraha Forest
Guided by Hindu astrologers and accomplished yogis, artisans in India carved the nine planetary deities from sacred Narmada river stone. A 27-foot pillar and hexagonal Shivalaya rose within the religious forest of Jalbaraha.
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Feb 2024
Consecration Before Maha Shivaratri
The temple was formally consecrated in the lead-up to Maha Shivaratri, with lakhs of lamps lit to mark the occasion and welcome the first devotees into the sanctum.
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Today
A Growing Centre of Faith
The temple now welcomes devotees every Saturday and has become a hub for religious tourism, reviving Arjun Chaupari’s village life with daily discourses, festivals and community gatherings.
Divine Powers
The Navagraha — Nine Celestial Deities
Each of the nine planetary deities governs a distinct force of nature and destiny.
Chandra (Moon)
Ruler of the mind, emotions and intuition. Chandra brings peace, fertility and emotional harmony to the home.
Mangal (Mars)
God of courage, strength and passion. Mangal blesses devotees with energy, protection and victory over obstacles.
Budha (Mercury)
Deity of intellect, communication and commerce. Budha grants wisdom, eloquence and success in business affairs.
Brihaspati (Jupiter)
The divine teacher of wisdom and righteousness. Brihaspati bestows knowledge, prosperity and sound judgement.
Shukra (Venus)
Guardian of love, beauty and creativity. Shukra brings harmony in relationships and material comfort.
Shani (Saturn)
The just and disciplined lord of karma. Shani rewards patience and hard work while teaching humility.
Rahu (North Node)
The shadow planet of ambition and illusion. Devotees seek Rahu’s grace to overcome confusion and fear.
Ketu (South Node)
The spiritual liberator, guiding devotees toward detachment, insight and moksha, freedom from illusion.
Glimpses of the Temple
Temple Gallery
Celebrations
Festivals at the Temple
Dates below are placeholders following the Nepali lunar calendar and shift each year — the committee should update them ahead of each season.
Ashwin (Sept–Oct) — date to be confirmed
Dashain
Nepal’s greatest festival, honouring the victory of good over evil with tika, jamara and family gatherings at the temple.
Kartik (Oct–Nov) — date to be confirmed
Tihar
The festival of lights, celebrated with diyas, rangoli and reverence for crows, dogs, cattle and the bond between siblings.
Falgun (Feb–Mar) — date to be confirmed
Shivaratri
A night-long vigil in devotion to Lord Shiva at the temple’s hexagonal Shivalaya, marked with abhishek and continuous chanting.
Shrawan (Jul–Aug) — date to be confirmed
Janai Purnima
Devotees renew the sacred thread (janai) and tie protective raksha bandhan strings, seeking blessings for the year ahead.
Every Saturday — primary worship day
Navagraha Puja
The temple’s signature weekly worship, offering planetary blessings and astrological remedies to devotees from across Nepal.
Announced annually by the committee
Local Temple Festivals
Community fairs, Gita discourses and cultural programmes organised by Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality throughout the year.
Rituals
Daily Worship Schedule
The temple presently opens for worship on Saturdays. Times below are indicative — please confirm before visiting.
| Ritual | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Aarti | 5:00 AM | Opening prayers welcoming devotees at first light. |
| Abhishek | 7:00 AM | Sacred bathing ritual of the Shivalinga and planetary deities. |
| Special Puja | 10:00 AM | Navagraha Shanti puja and personal astrological offerings. |
| Evening Aarti | 6:00 PM | Lamp-lit evening worship accompanied by devotional bhajans. |
| Temple Closing | 8:00 PM | Final blessings before the temple gates close for the day. |
Guardians of the Temple
Temple Committee
Prakash Tiwari
Conceptualizer
+977–9851189299
Bharat Pokharel
Chairman, Temple Management Committee
+977–9846523320
Lal Bahadur KC
Secretary
+977–9846084167
Bandana Bhusal
Treasurer
+977–9846183326
Kamal Tiwari
Head Priest (Pujari)
+977–9864385595
Seva & Support
Temple Donation Information
Your generous contribution supports daily worship, temple maintenance and community festivals at Nava Graha Mandir. All donation details below are placeholders and should be replaced by the committee with verified information.
Bank Name: Machhapuchchhre Bank Limited
Account Name: Nawagraha Mandir Bebasthapan Samiti
Account Number: 12610101333687000001
Branch: Arjunchaupari Branch, Syangja
Notice: All donation details on this page are placeholders and can be updated at any time by the temple committee.
Scan to donate (placeholder QR)
Reach Us
Contact & Directions
Address:
Nava Graha Mandir
Jalbaraha Religious Forest
Arjun Chaupari Rural Municipality–1
Syangja, Gandaki Province, Nepal
Phone: +977–9846523320
Email: info@navagrahamandir.org
Open: Saturdays, 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM