Third Navratri Day | Worship of Goddess Chandraghanta

Third Navratri Day: Worship of Goddess Chandraghanta

On September 10, 2025, the third day of the sacred festival of Navratri is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Chandraghanta. This form of the divine feminine is a magnificent and powerful manifestation of Goddess Durga. She is a symbol of both fierce determination and serene tranquility, a paradox that perfectly encapsulates the dual nature of divine power. Her name, Chandraghanta, is derived from the Sanskrit words 'Chandra' (moon) and 'Ghanta' (bell), referring to the crescent moon that adorns her forehead, which is shaped like a half-bell. The sound of this cosmic bell is believed to drive away all forms of negative energy, fear, and evil, bringing peace and harmony to the lives of her devotees. After the journey of penance represented by Goddess Brahmacharini, Goddess Chandraghanta signifies a state of readiness and spiritual preparedness, armed with divine power to overcome any obstacle.

The Origin and Symbolism of Goddess Chandraghanta

The story of Goddess Chandraghanta is a beautiful and inspiring narrative of divine love and transformation. She is the married form of Goddess Parvati. After her immense and unwavering penance, as Goddess Brahmacharini, she was finally united with Lord Shiva. Upon their marriage, Lord Shiva adorned her forehead with a crescent moon. This act of love and adornment transformed her into Goddess Chandraghanta. Her new form is a blend of her gentle, loving nature and a newfound protective and formidable power. She is the protector of her devotees, ready to face any challenge to ensure their safety and well-being.

The symbolism of Goddess Chandraghanta is rich and multifaceted, offering profound spiritual lessons:

• The Crescent Moon: The most striking feature of her appearance is the crescent moon on her forehead. This symbolizes the balance between strength and peace. The moon is a symbol of tranquility, coolness, and calmness, while the readiness of a warrior signifies her power and fierce determination. This teaches devotees that true strength is not loud or aggressive, but a calm and collected resolve to face life’s battles.
• Her Mount: Goddess Chandraghanta rides a lion or a tiger, which is a powerful symbol of courage, strength, and fearlessness. This signifies that she is a fierce and protective mother, ready to fight against all demonic forces and negative energies. Her mount is a visual representation of the courage she bestows upon her devotees.
• Ten Hands: The goddess is depicted with ten hands, each holding a different weapon or divine object. These include the trident, lotus, sword, mace, bow, arrow, bell, and a water pot (kamandal). The variety of weapons signifies her ability to combat evil from all directions and in all forms. The lotus flower, in contrast to the weapons, symbolizes purity and detachment, reminding us to remain pure and untainted by the material world even while engaging in its battles.
• The Sound of the Bell: The bell shape of her moon has a deeper meaning. It is said that the sound it produces is powerful enough to make all negative forces, including ghosts and demons, flee in terror. This symbolizes the power of her blessings to eliminate all obstacles and fears from the life of a devotee. The chanting of her name is believed to have a similar effect, creating a protective aura around the devotee.

The Significance of Worship on the Third Day

The worship of Goddess Chandraghanta on the third day of Navratri holds immense spiritual and psychological importance.

1. The Giver of Peace and Courage

After the initial two days of focused spiritual preparation (Shailputri) and intense penance (Brahmacharini), the third day is a transition. It is the day to seek the blessings of a goddess who provides peace and courage. She blesses her devotees with the power to control their minds and senses, helping them to overcome all obstacles with grace and inner peace. It is believed that by worshipping her, one can acquire a divine aura that protects them from evil and gives them the courage to face any challenge in life.

2. A Harmonizer of Duality

Goddess Chandraghanta’s form, which combines both aggression (with her weapons) and peace (with her serene expression and the moon), teaches us the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives. She shows that a person can be both a fierce warrior for justice and a compassionate soul. She helps her devotees find this balance within themselves, enabling them to lead a life of harmony and purpose.

3. A Patron of Creativity

It is also believed that Goddess Chandraghanta, with her calm and artistic disposition (the moon being a symbol of creativity), blesses her devotees with artistic and creative abilities. Many artists and creators seek her blessings to enhance their work and find inspiration.

Rituals and Puja Vidhi for the Third Day

To properly worship Goddess Chandraghanta, devotees follow a set of rituals with a pure heart and a focused mind.

1. Preparation

Devotees should wake up early, take a bath, and wear fresh, clean clothes. The color yellow is considered highly auspicious for the third day of Navratri as it symbolizes joy and energy. The puja altar should be cleaned and decorated with fresh flowers, especially jasmine and lotus, which are her favorites. The Kalash (pot) placed on the first day is also worshipped.

2. The Puja (Worship)

The worship begins with offering prayers to the goddess. Devotees offer flowers, a piece of yellow cloth, a garland, and a variety of sweets. Kheer (a sweet milk pudding) is considered a particularly auspicious offering on this day. Ghee lamps are lit, and incense sticks are burned to create a holy atmosphere. The offering of sweets and fruits is followed by the chanting of her mantras.

3. Mantra Chanting

Chanting the sacred mantras is the most important part of the puja. The primary mantra for Goddess Chandraghanta is:

ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥ (Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah)

Another powerful mantra to seek her blessings is:

पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्र कैर्युता। प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चंद्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥ (Pindaj Pravararudha Chandakopastra Kairyuta। Prasadm Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta॥)

This mantra praises her fierce form and asks for her blessings to bestow prosperity and grace.

4. Aarti and Prasad

After the mantras, an Aarti (waving of a lit lamp) is performed. The devotees sing devotional songs in her praise. The puja concludes with the distribution of the blessed food (prasad) among family members and friends. The prasad on this day is often kheer and various milk-based sweets.

The Special Significance of Kheer

Kheer, or rice pudding, holds a special place in the worship of Goddess Chandraghanta. It is considered a symbol of purity, sweetness, and nourishment. Offering kheer is a way of expressing gratitude to the goddess for her blessings and asking for prosperity and happiness in the family. It is also believed that the offering of kheer helps to calm the mind and bring a sense of tranquility, which is the core essence of Goddess Chandraghanta.

The Navdurga Progression

The worship of Goddess Chandraghanta fits perfectly into the spiritual progression of the Navratri festival:

• Day 1 (Goddess Shailputri): The foundation of the spiritual journey, symbolizing the raw strength and stability of nature.
• Day 2 (Goddess Brahmacharini): The call to inner discipline, penance, and determination to overcome worldly distractions.
• Day 3 (Goddess Chandraghanta): The culmination of the first two stages. With the inner strength from Shailputri and the discipline from Brahmacharini, the devotee is now spiritually ready, armed with courage and peace, to face the challenges of life.

The worship of Goddess Chandraghanta on the third day of Navratri is a profound reminder that spiritual strength is not just about meditation and penance, but also about the courage to face the world with a calm and fearless heart. She is the goddess who teaches us that true peace comes from a place of power and unwavering resolve. Her blessings are sought to remove all fears, bring harmony to the home, and provide the courage needed to walk a life of righteousness and grace.