Navratri Day 3: Significance of Goddess Chandraghanta

The third day of Navratri falls on Saturday, October 5. During Shardiya Navratri, Hindu devotees honour Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms, collectively known as Navdurgas. These incarnations include Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. On Day 3, devotees specifically worship Maa Chandraghanta.

Here's everything you need to know about her:

Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Shardiya Navratri and is one of the nine forms of Maa Durga. She governs the planet Shukra and is depicted riding a tigress with ten hands. In her four right hands, she holds a lotus, arrow, bow, and japa mala (prayer beads), while the fifth hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, symbolising protection. Her four left hands hold a trishul, mace, sword, and kamandal, with the fifth hand in Varada Mudra, offering blessings. According to Drik Panchang, Maa Chandraghanta is the married form of Maa Parvati. After her marriage to Lord Shiva, she began wearing a half-moon, or Chandra, on her forehead, which earned her the name Maa Chandraghanta. She represents the peaceful and benevolent aspect of Maa Parvati.

According to mythology, the sound of the moon and bell on Maa Chandraghanta's forehead has the power to ward off all evil spirits. During her battle with demons, the sound from her bell drove thousands of wicked beings to the realm of the God of Death. Devotees who worship her in this form are blessed with immense strength and eternal power.

Brahma Muhurat for Tritiya Tithi: 4:38 AM to 5:27 AM

Abhijit Muhurat: 11:46 AM to 12:33 PM

Vijaya Muhurat: 2:07 PM to 2:55 PM

On Day 3, begin your day by waking up early and wearing new clothes, preferably in orange. Place the idol of Maa Chandraghanta on a chowki or your puja altar. Perform a ritual bath for the Goddess with Kesar, Ganga Jal, and Kewra. Dress her in new attire and offer yellow flowers, jasmine, panchamrit, and mishri. Additionally, devotees should prepare a special kheer bhog as an offering to Maa Chandraghanta.

Prathana: Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta

Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta

Puja mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah

Stuti: Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samsthit

Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah

Strota: Apaduddharini Tvamhi Adya Shaktih Shubhparam

Animadi Siddhidatri Chandraghante Pranamamyaham

Chandramukhi Ishta Datri Ishtam Mantra Swarupinim

Dhanadatri, Anandadatri Chandraghante Pranamamyaham

Nanarupadharini Ichchhamayi Aishwaryadayinim

Saubhagyarogyadayini Chandraghante Pranamamyaham