Navratri Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta, the 3rd manifestation of Goddess Durga
Maa Chandraghanta is the symbol of peace and prosperity; here is puja vidhi
Durga Puja is a special occasion in Hindu tradition. It is a time for new beginnings and offering your dedication and reverence to the Goddess Shakti. Maa Chandraghanta is the third form of Devi Durga and is worshipped on the 3rd of Navratri.
Who is Maa Chandraghanta?
Maa Chandraghanta is called by this name because she has a ‘Chandra’ – a moon on her forehead which appears as a ‘ghanta’ – a bell. The sound of the bell wards off evil spirits from her devotees. Maa has three eyes and ten hands, holding ten swords, weapons, and arrows. She symbolises peace, serenity, and prosperity. Still, she establishes justice and gives her devotees the courage and strength to fight and face the challenges.
Maa Chandraghanta’s appearance may be a source of power which always seems busy killing and suppressing the bad and wicked ones. However, for her devotees, Maa is serene, gentle and peaceful. By worshipping Maa Chrandraghanta, you will open the doors to great respect, fame, and glory. Maa also helps you attain spiritual enlightenment. Her idol, which symbolises beauty and bravery, gives you the strength that keeps the negative energy away and repels all the troubles from your life.
You need to follow simple rituals to worship Goddess Chandraghanta. You should first worship all the Gods, Goddesses and Planets in the Kalash and then offer prayers to Lord Ganesh and Kartikeya and Goddess Sarasvati, Lakshmi, Vijaya, and Jaya – the family members of Goddess Durga. The pooja should be concluded by worshipping Goddess Chandraghanta, followed by a heartfelt prayer to Lord Shiva and Brahma.
Chant this mantra to worship and get blessings of Maa Chandraghanta:-
पिण्डज प्रवरारुढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्र कैर्युता |
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चंद्र घंष्टेति विश्रुता ||
Piṇḍaja pravarāruṛhā caṇḍakōpāstra kairyutā |
prasādaṁ tanutē mahyaṁ candra ghanṣṭēti viśrutā ||
It’s meaning:-
“I join hands in front of the supreme Goddess and adore the goddess with a bell-shaped moon mark on her forehead, and I ask for forgiveness for all the bad deeds I have done in my life.”
Date and Time Tritiya Tithi Begins – March 23, 2023 – 06:23 PM; Tritiya Tithi Ends – Marc 24, 2023 – 05:02 PM
On Day 3, devotees should get up early, take a bath and wear clean new clothes. Place the idol of the Goddess on a chowki or your puja sthaan and bathe it with Kesar, Ganga Jal, and Kewra. Then, dress the Goddess in gold-coloured clothes and offer her yellow flowers, Jasmine, panchamrit and mishri. A special bhog of kheer is also provided to Maa Chandraghanta.
Maa Chandraghanta Bhog:
Devotees seek the blessings of Maa Chandraghanta, the avatar of Goddess Durga worshipped on the third day of Navratri, by offering her kheer as prasad.
Maa Chandraghanta has a body of gold, and she rides on a lion. She is always ready to help her devotees and kill the evils troubling them and bless their devotees with a peaceful life. With a crescent moon on her forehead, elegant garb and weapons in her hands, she gives the appearance of a strong female with a composed countenance.
