Navratri Day 3: Worshipping Chandraghanta Devi

Navratri marks the onset of the festivities and the season of celebrations. It is a period of reflection through fasting and sadhana, and also a time to look forward to a new season and a new year. On the third day of Navratri we worship Chandraghanta devi, the third form of Goddess Durga. 

Mythology of Chandraghanta Devi: 

Chandraghanta Devi is a representation of Devi Parvati on her wedding day. In our previous post about Brahmacharini devi, we came to know about how her Tapasya to appeal to Lord Shiva lasted for a period of about 3000 years. Enthralled by her dedication and resilience, Lord Shiva agrees to marry her. All gods and goddesses were sent an invite to be a part of this wedding. The wedding procession was accumulated at the Kailash Parvat. It is well known that ghosts, malevolent spirits, demons and ghouls paraded through with Lord Shiva. They dressed Lord Shiva in a rather different manner than what one would expect a groom to look like. With ashes smeared on his body, they adorned him with animal skin for clothing. Dressed up mystically, riding on Nandi, Lord Shiva proceeded towards Parvat Raj, Himalaya’s palace. On arrival of this wedding procession, the bride’s side of the gathering was startled looking at them. Everybody was bewildered upon looking at Mahadev’s fives faces and ten hands. Devi Parvati’s mother, Maina Devi was taken aback by this visual. When Devi Parvati herself saw this, she herself thought of adorning a look similar to Mahadev’s. This is when she shifted her Swaroop, which came to be known as Chandraghanta Devi. The name Chandraghanta was given to her by Mahadev himself because of her wish to adorn ‘Chandra’, the Moon God on her forehead. This Swaroop of hers has ten arms, in which she carries trishul, gada, dhanush, baan, talwar, kamal, ankush, ghanti and kamandal. Devi Chandraghanta seen riding a tiger. 

Chandraghanta Devi and Manipura Chakra: 

The Plexus Chakra, located in the navel region of the human body is also known as the Manipura Chakra. This chakra is associated with development of personal power and confidence. Chandraghanta Devi is associated with this chakra and meditating on her attributes helps the devotees to activate and balance this chakra and imbibe her qualities of fierceness, courage and strength. 

Navratri Day 3 Puja: 

• Devotees must wake up early on this day and adorn themselves in beautiful clothing in brown or golden colour. 
• Offerings of clothes, sindoor are made to the image or idol of Devi Chandraghanta. 
• Garland made of white lotus and red roses is also offered in reverence to the Devi. 
• In the form of Bhog, devotees must prepare delicacies made of milk. Honey is also one of the bhog offerings. 

Chandraghanta Devi Mantra: 

On the third day of Navratri as we worship Chandraghanta Devi, devotees must meditate on her form and her attributes by chanting her mantra: 

Aum Devi Chandraghantaayai Namaha! 

Worshipping Chandraghanta Devi, clears obstacles from both our inner sanctum of thoughts and our outside worldly troubles. Her divine power and blessings bring immense success when bestowed upon her followers and devotees. 

Devotees who wish to visit Chandraghanta Devi’s temple can do so at Prayagraj. A temple dedicated to her is situated by the name Triveni Sangam. There is another temple dedicated to Chandraghanta Devi at Varanasi.