Navratri 2024 Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta Puja Rituals, Mantras, and Chants

Navratri 2024 Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta Puja

Navratri, the nine-day festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga, is filled with vibrant celebrations, spiritual fervour, and devotion. On the third day of Navratri, devotees worship Goddess Chandraghanta, the married form of Goddess Parvati. Adorned with a crescent moon on her forehead, she symbolises bravery, peace, and protection for her devotees.

Goddess Chandraghanta’s name is derived from the words ‘Chandra’ (moon) and ‘Ghanta’ (bell), representing the half-moon shaped like a bell that adorns her forehead. She embodies strength, and her fierce form is worshipped to seek protection from evil and bless devotees with courage, wisdom, and tranquility. The vibrant third day of Navratri is dedicated to worshipping this powerful goddess with specific rituals, mantras, and chants to invoke her blessings.

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Navratri 2024: Puja Rituals

On the third day of Navratri, devotees perform special puja rituals to honour and invoke the blessings of Goddess Chandraghanta. The rituals typically include the following steps:

• Cleanse and Prepare the Puja Space: Clean the puja area and decorate it with jasmine flowers, the goddess’s favourite. Light a lamp and place an image or idol of Goddess Chandraghanta on a clean platform.
• Invoke the Goddess: Begin by invoking the goddess with the chanting of mantras such as “Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah.” This is believed to invite her divine presence into the home.
• Offer Flowers and Sweets: Offer jasmine flowers, fruits, and sweets like kheer or halwa, as these are considered auspicious and favourite offerings of the goddess.
• Recite the Mantras and Chants: Chanting the Maa Chandraghanta Stuti and Prarthana is a significant part of the puja. The stuti, “Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samsthita,” invokes her presence and blessings. Reciting these chants with devotion fills the atmosphere with divine energy.
• Offer the Aarti: Perform the Aarti by lighting camphor or a ghee lamp and singing the Aarti dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta. The aarti can be accompanied by the sound of bells and conch shells to create a powerful, spiritual ambience.
• Meditate and Seek Blessings: After completing the puja rituals, meditate in front of the goddess, seeking her blessings for peace, prosperity, and protection from negative influences.

Navratri 2024: Mantras and Chants for Day 3 of Navratri

Devotees chant specific mantras to honour Goddess Chandraghanta and seek her divine blessings. Here are some of the important mantras for Day 3:

• Mantra:

  Om Devi Chandraghantayai NamahChanting this mantra invokes the protective energy of the goddess, dispelling fear and promoting courage and mental clarity.

• Prarthana:

  Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta, Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti VishrutaThis prayer praises the goddess for her grace and strength, seeking her divine favour and protection.

• Stuti:

  Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo NamahThis stuti acknowledges the goddess’s presence in all beings and prays for her blessings and guidance.

Navratri 2024: Origin of Goddess Chandraghanta

Goddess Chandraghanta represents the married form of Goddess Parvati. After her marriage to Lord Shiva, she began adorning her forehead with a half-moon (Chandra), resembling a bell (Ghanta). This celestial ornament inspired the name 'Chandraghanta,' signifying her transformation into a form that radiates serenity and valour. While she embodies peace, she is always prepared to protect her devotees from harm.

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Navratri 2024: Significance of Goddess Chandraghanta’s Worship

Goddess Chandraghanta is revered for her ability to eliminate negative energies and spirits from the lives of her devotees. The sound of the bell-shaped moon on her forehead is believed to ward off evil and bring spiritual awareness. Worshipping her on the third day of Navratri helps devotees gain mental peace and clarity while enhancing their inner strength and courage.

It is also believed that Goddess Chandraghanta governs the planet Shukra (Venus), which is associated with love, beauty, and harmony. Praying to her can bring balance to one’s life, aiding in overcoming difficulties and enhancing physical and mental wellbeing.

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Navratri 2024: Iconography of Goddess Chandraghanta

Goddess Chandraghanta is depicted as a warrior goddess, mounted on a tigress. She has ten hands, each holding a symbolic weapon or object. Her four left hands hold a Trishul (trident), Gada (mace), Sword, and Kamandal (water pot), while the fifth left hand is in Varada Mudra, symbolising her blessings and compassion. Her four right hands carry a Lotus flower, Arrow, Dhanush (bow), and Japa Mala (prayer beads), while the fifth right hand is in Abhaya Mudra, signifying her protective nature.

Her ferocious form signifies that she is always ready to go to war for the welfare of her devotees. The aura surrounding Goddess Chandraghanta exudes grace, fearlessness, and strength, making her an embodiment of divine power and protection.

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Navratri 2024: Goddess Chandraghanta Aarti

जय माँ चन्द्रघण्टा सुख धाम। पूर्ण कीजो मेरे काम॥

चन्द्र समाज तू शीतल दाती। चन्द्र तेज किरणों में समाती॥

मन की मालक मन भाती हो। चन्द्रघण्टा तुम वर दाती हो॥

सुन्दर भाव को लाने वाली। हर संकट में बचाने वाली॥

हर बुधवार को तुझे ध्याये। सन्मुख घी की ज्योत जलाये॥

श्रद्दा सहित तो विनय सुनाये। मूर्ति चन्द्र आकार बनाये॥

शीश झुका कहे मन की बाता। पूर्ण आस करो जगत दाता॥

काँचीपुर स्थान तुम्हारा। कर्नाटिका में मान तुम्हारा॥

नाम तेरा रटूँ महारानी। भक्त की रक्षा करो भवानी॥

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Worshipping Goddess Chandraghanta on the third day of Navratri is believed to free devotees from all obstacles and grant them the courage to face adversities. Her blessings promote inner peace and remove any negativity surrounding the worshippers. As devotees chant her mantras, offer flowers, and perform the aarti, they feel a deep spiritual connection that enriches their Navratri celebrations.

By observing the rituals and invoking her blessings, devotees can attain a state of calmness and inner strength, ensuring a spiritually fulfilling Navratri.

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