Chaitra Navratri 2019 Day 3: Worship Goddess Chandraghanta, The Third Form of Goddess Durga

On day 3 of Chaitra Navratri 2019, worship Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of Goddess Durga. She signifies bravery and courage.

The third day of Chaitra Navratri is dedicated to worshipping Maa Chandraghanta. This form of Goddess Durga carries a chandra (half moon) on her forehead and therefore, the name. The goddess is worshipped for her bravery and courage to remove evil from the hearts of those who worship her. Legends have it that Maa Chandraghanta saved the lives of gods in their battle with the demons by using the sound of the bell or ‘ghanta’. Apparently, the sound of the bell was so loud that it killed the demons.

Maa Chandraghanta is offered milk, kheer and other sweets made from milk. The worshippers of the goddess believe that she blesses them with peace and takes away their sufferings. She is worshipped as the goddess with 10 hands, who carries weapons like trishul, sword, and gada on one side and kamandal and flower on the other. Maa Chandraghanta is also considered a figure opposite of Maa Gauri, who is imagined as the peaceful, and docile goddess.

Here’s the Mantra to worship Maa Chandraghanta: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥

Here’s the prayer to worship Maa Chandraghanta: Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta। Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta॥

Chaitra Navratri 2019 began on April 6 and will end on April 14. This is a Hindu festival which goes on for nine days. Each day, a new form of Maa Durga is worshipped by her devotees. Several devotees consider it auspicious to fast for all nine days. It is believed that fasting will bring them more luck, health and happiness in life and will also take away malice from their souls.