Shard Navratri 2024 day 3: Worship of Maa Chandraghanta

The festival of Navratri is considered to have special importance in religion. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga. There are 2 major Navratri in a year, one is Chautra Navratri and the other is Sharadiya Navratri. Sharadiya Navratri begins on the Pratipada tithi of Shukla Paksha of Ashwin month. This festival lasts for 9 days. The 9 days of this festival are dedicated to the nine different forms of Goddess Durga, known as Navdurga. During these nine days devotees observe fasts, visit temples, and offer special prayers to Goddess Durga. Kanya puja is performed on Durga Ashtami and Navmi, thus ending the Navratri festival and Dussehra is celebrated on the next day Dashmi tithi. It is believed that Goddess Durga Showers special blessings on her devotees during Navratri.  The third day of Shrad Navratri is devoted to Maa Chandraghanta the third form of goddess Durga. Worshiping her brings strength; peace and protection, helping devotees overcome obstacles and find inner calm.

How Maa Chandraghanta looks:

Maa Chandraghanta’s appearance is as bright as gold. Her vehicle is a lion. Her eight arms are equipped with weapons like lotus, bow, arrow, sword, kamandal, trident and mace, etc. wearing a garland of white flowers around her neck, the mother wears a jeweled crown with the moon on her head. She is always in a war posture and is engrossed in tantric practice.

Importance of Maa Chandraghanta:

The third day of Sharad Navratri is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta. On this special worship of maa Chandraghanta is done. Also, fasts are kept to get the desired results. The glory and grace of the Mother have been described in detail in the Sanatan Dharma scripture. Maa Chandraghanta rides a lion. There is a religious belief that devotees who worship Maa Chandraghanta get the courage of a lion. Also, all kinds of worldly pleasures are attained in the mortal world. Therefore devotees do sadhna and worship of the mother of devotion.

Maa Chandraghanta is known for her peaceful yet powerful form. Her name comes from the half-moon (Chandra) shaped like a bell (Ghanta) on her forehead, symbolizing her readiness to fight evil and protect her devotees. She rides a tiger, symbolizing bravery, and carries weapons like a trident and sword showcasing her strength despite her fierce appearance a perfect balance of power and peace. If you also want happiness and peace in your life, worship Maa Chanrdaghanta with rituals.

Significance of worship Maa Chandraghanta:

1. Spiritual growth: worshipping Maa Chandraghanta helps overcome fears and challenges building courage and inner strength.
2. Emotional peace: She blesses her devotees with tranquility and peace.
3. Protection: She protects from negative forces, bringing happiness and prosperity.
4. Balance: She teaches the importance of balancing strength and compassion in life.

Maa Chandraghanta Mantra:

Chanting this mantra on day 3 brings her blessings:

Mantra:

“Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastra Kairyuta |

Prasadam Tanute Maham

Chandraghanteti Vishruta ||”

This mantra honors her bravery and seeks her protection and blessings.

Rituals and offerings:

1. Kalash sthapnana and puja: Begin with Kalash sthapnana and offer flowers, fruits, and incense while chanting her mantra.
2. Color of the day: Yellow is the color for day 3, symbolizing joy. Devotees wear yellow and offer yellow flowers.
3. Offerings (bhog): To offer Bhog to Maa Chandraghanta, saffron kheer should be offered. Along with the cloves, cardamom, Panchmeva and other sweets made from milk can be used. Also, sugar candy should be kept in the Bhog of Maa and Peda can also be offered.
4.  Durga Saptasharti recitation: Reading the Durga Saptashati invokes her protection and grace.
5.  Aarti and devotional songs: performing aarti and singing devotional songs enhances devotion.

Spiritual massage of day 3:

The third day represents moving from fear to courage, guided by wisdom. By the grace of Maa Chandraghanta all the sins and obstacles of the devotee are eliminated. Her worship is fruitful. Maa Chandraghanta inspires us to face challenges with bravery while maintaining inner peace.

Conclusion:

The third day of Shrad Navratri dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta reminds us of the importance of balancing strength with serenity. Worshiping her brings peace, courage, and protection, guiding us on the path to spiritual and emotional growth. by worshiping Maa Chandraghanta as per the rituals the devotee can be freed from all the worldly troubles and easily attain the highest position. All the obstacles of devotee are removed by the grace of Maa Chandraghanta.