Goddess Chandraghanta is the third Nava Durga aspect of the goddess Mahadevi. She is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri.
Chandraghanta means “one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell”. True to her name, Goddess Chandraghanta wears a half moon depicting a Bell on her forehead and has a third eye in the middle of her forehead. She is also known as Chandrakhanda, Chandika or Rannchandi.
The Legend of Goddess Chandraghanta
Goddess Chandraghanta has three eyes and ten arms – hence the term dasabhuja or Dashabhuja dharini.
She holds a trishul (trident), Gada (mace), bow-arrow, khadak (sword), Kamala (lotus flower), Ghanta (bell) and kamandalu (waterpot) in each of these hands. Still, one of her hands remains in the Varada Mudra to dispense boons for the good deeds done by her devotees. Another of her hands is in the form of Abhay Mudra — a gesture of reassurance and safety, which dispels fear and accords divine protection.
She has a golden complexion and represents beauty, grace, bravery and courage. She rides a tiger or lion which represents bravery and courage.
Devi Chandraghanta is an aggressive form of the goddess Durga. However, despite holding many weapons, she is also equally caring, and benevolent and represents motherly qualities. While the primary cause is destruction demons. Her fierce looks are meant to encourage her devotees to be brave and fearless when they are promoting a just cause. She is otherwise a personification of serenity.
Mother goddess Chandraghanta is always eager to fight for the just cause. Her third eye is always open, signifying her readiness for the battle against evil. but at the same time kind and compassionate mother showering peace and prosperity.
According to legend once while fighting the demons, she produced such a deafening sound with her bells that they were paralyzed.
She resides in the Manipura or Solar Plexus Chakra the third and one of 7 energy centres of the body. “Manipura” means a gem. The chakra is associated with the digestive system and diaphragm where the body’s power and self-confidence are concentrated. Imbalances of this chakra can lead to fatigue, excessive weight gain, digestive system disorders, hypoglycemia, and diabetes.
Also Read: The legend of Maa Shailputri
She is believed to reward people for their good deeds and removes all their sins, distresses, sufferings, mental tribulations and ghostly hurdles. If a devotee happens to hear diverse sounds and experiences divine fragrance he is said to be blessed by the Mother.
According to Shiva Purana, Chandraghanta is the “Shakti” of Lord Shiva in his manifestation as Chandrashekhara Lord of the Crescent Moon. Both Shiva and Shakti fuse to form Ardhanarishvara Ardhanareeshvara is a combination of three words “Ardha,” “Nari,” and “Ishwara” which means “half,” “woman,” and “lord”. This combined together means the lord whose half is a woman. The male half stands for Purusha and the female half is Prakriti.
Maa Chandraghanta a form of the goddess Durga is worshipped on the third day of the Navratri festival.
The legend goes that when the demon Mahishasura was wreaking havoc on earth and the gods were unable to defeat him, so they decided to create a powerful female warrior to vanquish him. Thus, they combined their energies and created Maa Durga. When Mahishasura saw her, he was struck by her beauty so he proposed to marry her. However, Maa Durga refused his proposal. This led to a big fight between them.
On the third day, Maa Durga appeared on the battlefield riding a tiger, brandishing ten weapons in her hands (as symbols of her power and strength) and a half-moon on her forehead.
Mahishasura was frightened to see Goddess Chandraghanta and soon fell to the ground. This victory is celebrated on the third day of the Navratri.
Chandraghanta: Significance
Each day of Navratri represents the different facets of a woman. On these days devotees worship Goddess Durga and her various forms to seek her blessings. It is believed that praying this form of shakti could cure all your problems in life.
Goddess Chandraghanta is the controlling Goddess of the planet Shukra and establishes justice and discipline in this world. Maa Chandraghanta is also the ruler of the planet Sun. Goddess Chandraghanta is the married form of Maa Parvati. After marrying Lord Shiva, Goddess started adorning her forehead with a half-moon (Chandra). That is why Goddess Parvati is known as Maa Chandraghanta.
Also Read: The Legend of Maa Brahmacharini
Goddess Chandraghanta is peace-loving and the devotees who worship her with pure intentions are blessed with happiness, prosperity and good health. It is believed that the sound of the moon bell on her forehead removes negativity and cleanses the aura. She is the Goddess of Manipura Chakra, which is located on the navel so Navratri is the best to start meditation for people who want to get into spirituality and yoga.
As per astrology, people who are not in good terms with their father or fatherly figure should observe fast on the 3rd day of Navratri and worship Goddess Chandraghanta to overcome this problem.
Worshipping Goddess Chandraghanta gives people the strength to fight all fears. The sound of her bell expels all spirits away from the devotees.
Colour
All avatars of the goddess signify a particular colour. Goddess Chandraghanta’s favourite colour is Royal Blue which symbolizes richness and serenity. She also likes red colour.
Puja Vidhi:
Wake up early in the morning and wear nice clean clothes. Light a pure ghee diya, incense stick/ dhoop, and offer flowers and naivedhya or food. Offer vermillion or kumkum, Srinagar items and homemade sweets. Recite Durga Saptashati Paath and Durga Chalisa. Offer bhog prasad in the evening and chant Maa Durga Aarti. Break the fast by having satvik food. Do not consume – onion, garlic and other tamsik food items
Bhog:
Maa Chandrghanta’s favorite bhog is kheer. Devotees also offer milk to please the goddess. You can also cook dishes like sabudana kheer or makhana kheer (with dry fruits) for the bhog.
Mantra
ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥
Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥
Hail Devi Chandraghanta !
Prarthana
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥
Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta।
Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta॥
O Goddess Chandraghanta, who rides on Tiger, and holds mighty weapons in her 10 hands
please extend favour to me
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ चन्द्रघण्टा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
The goddess who is situated in the form of Maa Chandraghanta in all beings. “Obeisance to her, Obeisance to her, Obeisance to her!”
Dhyana
वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।
सिंहारूढा चन्द्रघण्टा यशस्विनीम्॥
मणिपुर स्थिताम् तृतीय दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम्।
खङ्ग, गदा, त्रिशूल, चापशर, पद्म कमण्डलु माला वराभीतकराम्॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्या नानालङ्कार भूषिताम्।
मञ्जीर, हार, केयूर, किङ्किणि, रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम॥
प्रफुल्ल वन्दना बिबाधारा कान्त कपोलाम् तुगम् कुचाम्।
कमनीयां लावण्यां क्षीणकटि नितम्बनीम्॥
Vande Vanchhitalabhaya Chandrardhakritashekharam।
Simharudha Chandraghanta Yashasvinim॥
Manipura Sthitam Tritiya Durga Trinetram।
Khanga, Gada, Trishula, Chapashara, Padma Kamandalu Mala Varabhitakaram॥
Patambara Paridhanam Mriduhasya Nanalankara Bhushitam।
Manjira, Hara, Keyura, Kinkini, Ratnakundala Manditam॥
Praphulla Vandana Bibadhara Kanta Kapolam Tugam Kucham।
Kamaniyam Lavanyam Kshinakati Nitambanim॥
I salute the Goddess who holds a half moon in her head for attainment of the desired object
The illustrious Chandraghanta riding on a lion
The third Durga, situated in Manipur, has three eyes.
Sword, club, trident, bow and arrow, lotus waterpot, garland, fearful of the best.
She was dressed in silk clothes with a soft smile and decorated with various ornaments
She is adorned with chains, necklaces, armlets, beads and gemstone earrings.
The blossoming worship of the bibadhara, the lovely forehead, the tuga breasts.
The young lady was beautiful with her waist and hips emaciated
May the charming one with a beautiful smile and graceful neck adorned with a garland of
flowers, with a slender waist and full hips, who is lovely and delicate, bestow her grace upon us
Stotra
आपदुध्दारिणी त्वंहि आद्या शक्तिः शुभपराम्।
अणिमादि सिद्धिदात्री चन्द्रघण्टे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
चन्द्रमुखी इष्ट दात्री इष्टम् मन्त्र स्वरूपिणीम्।
धनदात्री, आनन्ददात्री चन्द्रघण्टे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
नानारूपधारिणी इच्छामयी ऐश्वर्यदायिनीम्।
सौभाग्यारोग्यदायिनी चन्द्रघण्टे प्रणमाम्यहम्॥
Apaduddharini Tvamhi Adya Shaktih Shubhparam।
Animadi Siddhidatri Chandraghante Pranamamyaham॥
Chandramukhi Ishta Datri Ishtam Mantra Swarupinim।
Dhanadatri, Anandadatri Chandraghante Pranamamyaham॥
Nanarupadharini Ichchhamayi Aishwaryadayinim।
Saubhagyarogyadayini Chandraghante Pranamamyaham॥
You are the rescuer in times of distress, the primordial energy today in a benevolent form.
I bow to the Siddhidatri who is the beginning, who bestows supernatural powers, and who is
known as Chandraghanta who can rescue and protect people during times of difficulty or danger.
Moon-faced, the giver of the desired, the embodiment of the desired mantra.
I bow to Chandraghanta, the bestower of wealth and joy.
She assumes various forms and is full of desire and gives wealth.
I salute Chandraghanta bestower of good fortune and health
Kavacha
रहस्यम् शृणु वक्ष्यामि शैवेशी कमलानने।
श्री चन्द्रघण्टास्य कवचम् सर्वसिद्धिदायकम्॥
बिना न्यासम् बिना विनियोगम् बिना शापोध्दा बिना होमम्।
स्नानम् शौचादि नास्ति श्रद्धामात्रेण सिद्धिदाम॥
कुशिष्याम् कुटिलाय वञ्चकाय निन्दकाय च।
न दातव्यम् न दातव्यम् न दातव्यम् कदाचितम्॥
Rahasyam Shrinu Vakshyami Shaiveshi Kamalanane।
Shri Chandraghantasya Kavacham Sarvasiddhidayakam॥
Bina Nyasam Bina Viniyogam Bina Shapoddha Bina Homam।
Snanam Shauchadi Nasti Shraddhamatrena Siddhidam॥
Kushishyam Kutilaya Vanchakaya Nindakaya Cha।
Na Datavyam Na Datavyam Na Datavyam Kadachitam॥
Listen, O Lotus-faced goddess, allow me to reveal a secret. The armour (kavacham) of
Sri Chandraghanta is the giver of all accomplishments. Without nyasa (a ritual gesture), without
vinayoga (a procedure for invoking a deity), without shapodhda (an invocation to remove any
curse), without homa (fire sacrifice), just by faith, taking a bath and being pure, this kavacham
gives accomplishments. It should not be given to a person who is ungrateful, deceptive, or
speaks ill of others.
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। श्रद्दा सहित तो विनय सुनाए॥
मूर्ति चन्द्र आकार बनाए। शीश झुका कहे मन की बाता॥
पूर्ण आस करो जगत दाता। कांचीपुर स्थान तुम्हारा॥
कर्नाटिका में मान तुम्हारा। नाम तेरा रटू महारानी॥
भक्त की रक्षा करो भवानी।
“Victory to Mother Chandraghanta, who is the abode of happiness. Please fulfill all my desires.
You are the giver of coolness like the moon, and your radiance is merged in the moon’s rays.
You are the ruler of the mind, and you bestow blessings.
You bring beauty to our thoughts and protect us in times of trouble.
Every Wednesday, I meditate on you with faith and humility.
Your form is like the crescent moon, and I bow down with a humble heart.
You fulfil all our aspirations, O giver of boons to the world, whose abode is in Kanchipuram.
You are honoured in Karnataka, and your name is revered by all.
O Bhavani, please protect your devotees.”
