Sharadiya Navratri: Third Goddess – Maa Chandraghanta

Shloka –
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता ।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता ॥
This year, the Tritiya Tithi of Navratri falls on two days (Wednesday and Thursday). Hence, devotees will have the auspicious opportunity to worship Maa Durga’s third form – Maa Chandraghanta – for two days and receive special blessings.
Maa Chandraghanta is adorned with a crescent moon in the shape of a bell on her forehead, hence she is known as Chandraghanta. Her mount is a lion, and she possesses ten hands:
In her right hands she holds a lotus, bow, rosary, and arrow; the fifth hand is in abhaya mudra (gesture of fearlessness).
In her left hands she carries a trident, mace, kamandalu, and sword; the fifth hand is in varada mudra (gesture of blessing).
This form is considered highly auspicious, benevolent, and a destroyer of demons.
By worshipping Maa Chandraghanta, devotees are freed from fear and protected from enemies. The mere sound of her bell destroys evil and negative forces. Her worship removes life’s sufferings and brings happiness, peace, and prosperity. According to astrology, Maa Chandraghanta rules over the planet Venus (Shukra). Thus, worshipping her and chanting her mantras on this day removes Venus-related afflictions and grants beauty, marital bliss, and material abundance.
Mantra -
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता ।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता ॥
Reciting this mantra with devotion 11, 21, or 108 times removes all obstacles and grants peace and prosperity.
Offerings (Bhog)
Maa Chandraghanta especially loves kheer, halwa, and sweets. Offering kheer made of cow’s milk pleases her greatly. Feeding young girls with kheer, halwa, and sweets frees the devotee from all troubles. The offered food must be distributed as prasadam afterwards.
Puja Vidhi (Worship Method)
1. Place an idol or image of Maa Chandraghanta on a clean altar (chowki). 
2. Purify the place with Ganga water or cow urine.
3. Establish a kalash (sacred pot) filled with water, placing a coconut on top.
4. Take a vow (sankalpa) and worship Maa Chandraghanta with Shodashopachara Puja (16-step ritual) using Vedic and Saptashati mantras.
5. Offerings include: seat, water for washing feet, arghya, achamana, bath, clothes, sacred thread, sandalwood, turmeric, vermilion, durva, belpatra, ornaments, garlands, perfumes, incense, lamp, naivedya, fruits, betel leaves, dakshina, aarti, circumambulation, and mantrapushpanjali.
6. Conclude with distribution of prasadam.
Dhyana (Meditation Verse)
वन्दे वांछित लाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृत शेखरम् ।
सिंहारूढा चंद्रघंटा यशस्वनीम्॥
मणिपुर स्थितां तृतीय दुर्गा त्रिनेत्राम् ।
खंग, गदा, त्रिशूल,चापशर,पद्म कमण्डलु माला वराभीतकराम् ॥
पटाम्बर परिधानां मृदुहास्य नानालंकार भूषिताम् ।
मंजीर हार केयूर,किंकिणि, रत्नकुण्डल मण्डिताम् ॥
प्रफुल्लवदना बिंबाधारा कांत कपोलां तुगं कुचाम् ।
कमनीयां लावाण्याम् क्षीणकटि नितम्बनीम् ॥
Stotra Path (Hymns)
आपदुध्दारिणी त्वंहि आद्या शक्तिः शुभपराम् ।
अणिमादि सिध्दिदात्री चंद्रघटा प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
चन्द्रमुखी इष्ट दात्री इष्ट मन्त्र स्वरूपिणीम् ।
धनदात्री, आनन्ददात्री चन्द्रघंटे प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥
नानारूपधारिणी इच्छानयी ऐश्वर्यदायनीम् ।
सौभाग्यारोग्यदायिनी चंद्रघंटे प्रणमाम्यहम् ॥ 
Phal and Mahatva (Results & Significance) 
Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta grants a fearless life, free from enemies and dangers. With her blessings, devotees receive wealth, beauty, marital bliss, and mental peace. On the third day of Navratri, her worship enhances inner strength and illuminates one’s life.
Devotees who worship Maa Chandraghanta with true devotion experience an increase in courage, confidence, and joy.
 With Maa Chandraghanta’s grace, may peace, happiness, and prosperity remain in your life. Shubham Bhavatu

(Dr Ashok Pandey,Spiritual Healer, Vastu Consultant and Astrologer Pune - +91-7574885030, +91-9425006196)