3rd Avatar of Durga

Goddess Chandraghanta: The 3rd form of NavaDurga

Goddess Chandraghanta is the 3rd form of NavaDurga & worshipped on the third day of Navratri. She is called the Goddess of spiritual and internal power. People who have unnecessary enemies and severe obstacles in life should worship her to set themselves free. She rewarded devotees with her grace, bravery, and courage. All the sins, distresses, physical sufferings, mental tribulations, and ghostly hurdles of the devotees end by her blessings.

Story

Goddess Parvati was then born the daughter of mountains and known as Shailputri. Lord Shiva said to Goddess Parvati that he would not marry any woman. But her penance and sufferings overwhelmed him so much. And he agreed to marry her. She observed severe penance to marry Lord Shiva. Due to this, she came to know as Bramhacharini Devi.

A Strange Marriage Procession

On the day of their marriage, Lord Shiva arrived with a strange marriage procession. It consisted of ghosts, ascetics, sages, goblins, ganas, ghouls, and aghoris. Lord Shiva had multiple snakes around his neck. His whole body was smeared with ash. Upon seeing such a terrorizing form of Lord Shiva and his strange marriage procession, Parvati’s mother and other relatives are left in a state of shock. Most of them faint purely out of terror.

Terrifying form of Goddess Parvati

To avoid any embarrassment to her family and to Lord Shiva, Maa Parvati transforms herself into a terrorizing form – Chandraghanta. In her terrifying form, the goddess mounts the tigress. She is depicted with ten hands. Goddess Chandraghanta carries Trishul, Gada, sword, and kamandalu in Her four left hands. She keeps the fifth left hand in Varadamudra. She holds a lotus flower, arrow, Dhanush, and Japa Mala in her four right hands and keeps the fifth right hand in Abhaya Mudra.

Goddess Chandraghanta approached Lord Shiva and convinced him to take a noble form. Lord Shiva agreed and transformed himself into a handsome prince. Finally, Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati’s marriage took place. This auspicious event is observed as MahaShivratri.

Maa Chandraghanta Puja

Chandraghanta Puja is performed on the third day of Navratri. Purify with Ganga Jal or Gaumutr. Do Kalash sthapna by placing coconut on the water-filled pot of Silver, Copper, or Earth. Now, take the Sankalpa for Puja and do shodopchar puja of Maa Chandraghanta. Then offer all relevant puja samagri to all the deities. Finally do Aarti and distribute Prasad. Appease Maa Chandraghanta with Milk and milk products. This appeases Maa Chandraghanta and she removes all obstacles.

Significance

The devotees who adore and worship Chandraghanta develop an aura of divine splendor. They can achieve success in life with ease. Chandraghanta is ready to destroy the wicked, but to her devotee’s she is kind and compassionate. Mother showering peace and prosperity. During the battle between her and the demons, the horrible sound produced by her bell sent thousands of wicked demons to the abode of the Death God.

She is ever in a warring posture which shows her eagerness to destroy the foes of her devotees so that they may live in peace and prosperity. Divine vision can acquire by her grace. If a devotee starts to enjoy the divine fragrance and hears diverse sounds, he/she is said to be blessed by the Goddess.

Facts about Chandraghanta Devi

Origin: Goddess Chandraghanta is the married form of the Mother Goddess following on from Shailputri and Brahamcharini. After married to Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati started adorning her forehead with a half-moon(Chandra) shaped like a bell(Ghanta). Due to this, she became known as Goddess Chandraghanta.

Worship Date: Navratri Day 3

Ruling Planet: Venus

Favorite Flower: Lotus

Favorite Color: Red

Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah (ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥)

Other Names: Chandrakhanda, Chandika, and Rannchandi

Ride: Tigress

Weapons: Trishul, Lotus, Gada, Kamandal, Sword, Bow & Arrow

Appearance: Goddess Chandraghanta mounts the tigress. She wears the semi-circular moon(Chandra) on her forehead. She has ten hands. Goddess Chandraghanta carries Trishul, Gada, sword, and kamandalu in Her four left hands. She keeps the fifth left hand in Varadamudra. She holds a lotus flower, arrow, Dhanush, and Japa Mala in her four right hands and keeps the fifth right hand in Abhaya Mudra.

INVINCIBLE, BUT IN PEACE

Durga, as Goddess Chandraghanta, carries weapons along with a lotus in her 10 hands. She inspires us to pick our battles well but never in haste or greed.