Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped as the third of the nine primary forms of Goddess Durga, collectively known as Navdurga. She is venerated on the third day of Navratri. A bell shaped like a half-moon adorns her forehead; it is for this reason that she is called Chandraghanta.
The form of Maa Chandraghanta symbolizes courage, peace, strength, and the destruction of negative forces. Devotees worship her with reverence, praying for liberation from fear and obstacles in life, as well as for mental strength.
The Form of Maa Chandraghanta
Maa Chandraghanta’s form is considered extremely radiant and divine. A half-moon-shaped bell is visible on her forehead. In religious depictions, she is often portrayed as a ten-armed goddess.
Various weapons and ritualistic objects are seen in her hands. Her mount (vahana) is the lion, which symbolizes courage, power, and fearlessness.
While this form of the Mother Goddess is serene and compassionate, it is simultaneously regarded as immensely powerful against unrighteousness and negative forces.
Meaning of the Name 'Chandraghanta'
The name 'Chandraghanta' is composed of two words—Chandra (Moon) and Ghanta (Bell). She is called Chandraghanta because a bell shaped like a crescent moon adorns her forehead.
According to religious belief, the bell on the Goddess's forehead symbolizes the destruction of negative forces and evil tendencies. The sound of the bell is also associated with spiritual awakening and positive energy.
Maa Chandraghanta and Navdurga
During Navaratri, nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped. The order is as follows:
Maa Shailaputri
Maa Brahmacharini
Maa Chandraghanta
Maa Kushmanda
Maa Skandamata
Maa Katyayani
Maa Kalaratri
Maa Mahagauri
Maa Siddhidatri
In this sequence, Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri.
Mythological Legend of Maa Chandraghanta
The form of Maa Chandraghanta is also associated with the married aspect of Goddess Parvati. According to religious tradition, after marrying Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati adorned her forehead with a crescent moon, and this form became known as Chandraghanta.
This form of the Goddess symbolizes not only serenity but also power and valor. Whenever the influence of negative forces and demons rises in the world, various forms of the Divine Mother (Shakti) manifest to protect righteousness.
Significance of Worshipping Goddess Chandraghanta
Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped to invoke a sense of courage, peace, and inner strength.
According to religious belief, worshipping Her grants the devotee the strength to face difficult situations and the inspiration to stay away from negativity.The key spiritual sentiments associated with worshipping the Mother are:
Victory over fear
Courage and self-confidence
Mental peace
Freedom from negativity
Spiritual awakening
Inspiration to walk the path of righteousness and truth
These benefits should be understood within the context of religious and spiritual beliefs.
Worship Rituals for Goddess Chandraghanta
On the third day of Navaratri, Goddess Chandraghanta is worshipped with reverence and devotion. The general worship procedure is as follows:
Take a bath in the morning and wear clean clothes.
Clean the place of worship and install an idol or picture of Goddess Chandraghanta.
Light a lamp and incense.
Offer flowers, Akshat (unbroken rice grains), fruits, and Naivedya (sacred food offering) to the Goddess.
Red or yellow flowers may be offered to the Goddess.
Chant the mantra dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta.
Recite the Durga Saptashati or hymns praising Goddess Durga.
Perform the Aarti and pray for the happiness and peace of the family.
It is considered appropriate to seek the guidance of a qualified Acharya (priest) for specialized Tantric or elaborate worship rituals.
Preferred Offering (Bhog) for Goddess Chandraghanta
On the third day of Navaratri, it is a common practice among many devotees to offer milk-based dishes to Goddess Chandraghanta with devotion. Offerings such as milk, Kheer (rice pudding), or milk-based sweets can be made.
The primary essence of the offering is reverence and devotion.
*Naivedya* (sacred food offering) may be offered in accordance with family traditions and rituals of worship.Mantra of Goddess Chandraghanta
The following mantra is chanted while worshipping Maa Chandraghanta:
Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥
One may meditate upon the Mother while chanting this mantra with devotion.
Meditation Mantra of Maa Chandraghanta
Pindajapravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta |
Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta ||
This is a renowned mantra for meditating upon the form of Goddess Chandraghanta.
Vehicle of Maa Chandraghanta
The lion is considered the vehicle of Maa Chandraghanta. The lion symbolizes strength, courage, and fearlessness.
The image of the Mother mounted on a lion conveys the message that one should stand with courage in the face of difficult circumstances and fear.
Spiritual Message of Goddess Chandraghanta
The form of Maa Chandraghanta teaches us that a balance between peace and strength is essential in life. Strength alone is not enough, nor can peace alone be the solution to every situation.
The Mother's gentle form symbolizes compassion and peace, while her fierce form conveys the message of the struggle against injustice and negativity.
Thus, the form of Goddess Chandraghanta is considered a symbol of courage, balance, self-confidence, and spiritual awakening.
Worship of Chandraghanta on the Third Day of Navratri
Devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta on the third day of Navratri. On this day, the Goddess is worshipped in homes and temples through the chanting of mantras, the recitation of the Durga Saptashati, and the performance of Aarti.
Devotees pray to the Mother Goddess for the happiness, peace, health, and prosperity of their families, as well as for positive energy in their lives.
Maa Chandraghanta is the third of the nine forms of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri. Her form—adorned with a crescent-shaped bell on her forehead and mounted on a lion—symbolizes power, courage, and fearlessness.
Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta inspires devotees to rise above fear, face difficult situations with courage, and maintain peace and positivity in life. Reverently remembering Maa Chandraghanta during Navaratri is a significant part of worshipping the Divine Mother.