Sharadiya Navratri:Third Goddess – Maa Chandraghanta

Shloka 
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता ।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता II
On this day, devotees and spiritual seekers have a special and auspicious opportunity to worship Maa Chandraghanta, the third manifestation of Maa Durga, and receive divine blessings.
A crescent moon shaped like a bell adorns the forehead of Maa Chandraghanta, and hence She is known as Chandraghanta. Her vehicle is a lion. She has ten hands.
In Her right hands, She holds a lotus, a bow, a rosary, and an arrow, while Her fifth hand is in the Abhaya Mudra (gesture of fearlessness).
In Her left hands, She holds a trident, a mace, a Kamandalu, and a sword, while Her fifth hand is in the Varada Mudra (gesture of granting boons).
This form of the Divine Mother is regarded as highly auspicious, benevolent, and destroyer of demonic forces. Maa Chandraghanta is always ready to protect Her devotees. The powerful sound of Her bell is believed to vanquish enemies. Worshipping Her destroys various hardships and brings happiness, prosperity, and abundance into life.
According to astrology, Maa Chandraghanta presides over the planet Shukra (Venus). Therefore, worshipping Her and chanting Her mantra on this day is believed to alleviate Shukra-related afflictions and bestow material comforts, luxury, prosperity, and marital happiness.
Mantra
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता ।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता ॥
Chanting this mantra twenty-one times is believed to remove obstacles from life and bring happiness and prosperity.
Bhog (Sacred Offering)
Offer Kheer, Halwa, and sweets to Maa Chandraghanta. In particular, Kheer prepared with cow’s milk is considered dear to the Divine Mother.
Offering Kheer, Halwa, and sweets to young girls is believed to please the Mother Goddess and bless the devotee with freedom from obstacles and difficulties.
Puja Vidhi (Worship Ritual)
1. Install an idol or picture of Maa Chandraghanta on a clean and sacred platform.
2. Purify the place of worship with Gangajal or Gomutra.
3. Establish a Kalash by filling a silver, copper, or earthen pot with water and placing a coconut on top.
4. Take a solemn Sankalp (sacred resolve) and perform the Shodashopachara Puja of Maa Chandraghanta and all the invoked deities, using Vedic and Durga Saptashati mantras.
5. During the worship, offer the following sacred items and perform the prescribed rituals: Asana, Padya, Arghya, Achamana, Snana, Vastra, Saubhagya Sutra, Chandan, Roli, Haldi, Sindoor, Durva, Belpatra, ornaments, flower garlands, fragrant substances, Dhupa, Deepa, Naivedya, fruits, betel leaves, Dakshina, Aarti, Pradakshina, Mantrapushpanjali, and other traditional offerings.
6. Conclude the worship by distributing Prasad.
Dhyana (Meditation)
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 (Hymn of Praise)
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 ॥
Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta is believed to protect devotees from fear and hostile forces. By Her divine grace, one may attain wealth, prosperity, beauty, and marital happiness.
Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta on the third day of Navratri is believed to strengthen the devotee’s inner courage and illuminate life with divine radiance.
May the divine grace of Maa Chandraghanta bring happiness, peace, and prosperity into your life.
Shubham Bhavatu!

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