Chaitra Navratri 2018 Day 3: Worship Chandraghanta Mata, the Third Form of Goddess Durga

On the third day of Chaitra Navratri 2018, devotees will worship Chandraghanta Mata after Maa Shailaputri and Maa Brahmacharini. She is the third manifestation of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha of the Chaitra month falling on March 20, 2018. Also known as Chandrakhanda, Chandika or Rannchandi, Maa Chandraghanta is known to bestow her disciples with bravery, courage and peace.

Chandra Ghanta derives her name from the combination of two words – Chandra (half-crescent moon) and Ghanta (bell). Her name means the “one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell”. It is believed her “third eye is always opened and she always ready for war against demons”. Chandraghanta is the married form of Goddess Parvati, the ultimate divine feminine power. After Mahagauri married Lord Shiva, she donned half-crescent moon on her forehead, thus earning Mata Parvati with the name of Chandraghanta.

MAA CHANDRAGHANTA AND LORD SHIVA STORY

After the death of Sati, Lord Shiva had taken a vow to never marry again. The Supreme being made his decision very clear to Mata Parvati (Sati took rebirth as Parvati to Parvatraj Himalayas). On one hand Shiva remained stuck to his decision, on the other hand, Parvati in form of Maa Brahmacharini did severe penance to get Lord Shiva as her husband. Seeing her immense dedication and sufferings, Lord Shiva’s heart finally melted, and he agreed to marry Mata Parvati.

According to Hindu mythology, on the day of their marriage, Lord Shiva arrived at King Himavat’s palace with a grand procession of non-traditional baaratis consisting of ghosts, ghouls, goblins, sages, ascetics, aghoris. He himself arrived in a terrorizing form, which resulted in Parvati’s mother Maina Devi to faint in terror. It was then Mata Parvati took the form of Chandraghanta and requested Shiva to re-appear in his pleasing personality. Listening to his would-be wife's request, Lord Shiva took up the most charming form and got married to Mata Parvati much to the happiness of everyone.

ICONOGRAPHY OF GODDESS CHANDRAGHANTA

The iconography of Goddess Chandraghanta depicts her mounting a tigress. Apart from wearing a semi-circular moon (Chandra) on her forehead that appears like a bell, the goddess is shown having ten hands. Goddess Chandraghanta carries trishul, gada, sword and kamandal in her four left hands and keeps the fifth left hand in Varada Mudra. She carries lotus flower, arrow, dhanush and japa mala in her four right hands and keeps the fifth right hand in Abhaya Mudra.

Despite Chandraghanta Mata ready to strike a war against demons, she is believed to be the most peaceful form of Goddess Paravati. She wants to do welfare of humanity and especially blesses her devotees and fulfils their desired wishes. It is believed that by her grace all the sins, distresses, physical sufferings, mental tribulations and ghostly hurdles of the devotees can be eradicated.

Chandraghanta Devi is believed to rule the planet Shukra (Planet Venus) and devotees worshipping this roop of Goddess Durga will help them get rid of any bad effects due to Shukra. They must also offer Jasmine flowers to please the Devi while reciting Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah (ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥ ) 108 times one seating during Navratri.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 20, 2018 02:49 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).