Chaitra Navratri 2023 Day 3

Chaitra Navratri 2023 Day 3: Who is Maa Chandraghanta? Puja vidhi, muhurat, significance and mantra

Chaitra Navratri: The special time of the year is here. Every year, Chaitra Navratri is observed during the month of March or April all over the country with a whole lot of grandeur and pomp. Each day of the festival is dedicated to each form of Maa Durga. Chaitra Navratri, the nine-day festival, started on March 22 and will go on till March 30, this year. The nine forms of Maa Durga, which are worshipped around this time are Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and Siddhidatri. During Chaitra Nnavratri, the rituals of Shardiya Navratri are followed. Devotees keep fast during this time and offer their prayers to the forms of Maa Durga.

Significance:

On the third day of Chaitra Navratri, Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped. It is the third avatar of Maa Durga. She got her name from the fact that she wears a half-moon on her forehead. It is also believed that her third eye is always open to stay alert on fighting evil. Maa Chandraghanta is the married avatar of Maa Durga. According to Hindu mythology, after Maa Durga got married, she started wearing a half-moon on her forehead. That’s when Maa Chandraghanta was created. Chandraghanta translates to the one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell.

Let’s have a look at the puja vidhi, muhurat and the mantra to follow to worship Maa Chandraghanta:

According to Drik Panchang, the tritiya tithi on the third day of Chaitra navratri starts from 06:20 PM on March 23 and ends at 04:59 PM on March 24. This is considered the most auspicious time to perform the puja for Maa Chandraghanta. The deity is worshipped by offering kheer as a bhog. It is believed that Maa Chandraghanta blesses the devotees with grace, courage and strength.

Mantra:

Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥

Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta।

Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta॥