Navratri Night 3 Chandraghanta
नवरात्रि तृतीय रात्रि — चन्द्रघण्टा
Mythological Origin
On the third night of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta, the fierce yet graceful third manifestation of Navadurga. Her name derives from the half-moon (chandra) adorning her forehead in the shape of a bell (ghanta), an emblem that radiates celestial splendor while striking terror into the hearts of asuras. According to the Devi Bhagavata Purana and Markandeya Purana, when Devi Parvati married Lord Shiva, she adorned herself in bridal finery and presented a serene, gentle form. However, when Shiva arrived at the wedding procession accompanied by ghosts, goblins, aghoris, and ascetics smeared in ash — a sight so fearsome that Parvati's family and guests trembled in horror — Parvati assumed a tremendous and awe-inspiring form. She placed the crescent moon upon her brow like a resounding bell, mounted a great tigress, and manifested ten arms bearing the trishula, gada, sword, kamandalu, lotus, bow, arrow, japa mala, and abhaya-varada mudras. In this magnificent form, she persuaded Shiva to appear in his divinely handsome aspect, and the celestial wedding proceeded in joy. The Shakta traditions also recount that Chandraghanta once rode into battle against the mighty demon Mahishasura's generals on the third day of the cosmic war. The sound emanating from her moon-bell shattered demonic illusions and dispelled darkness across the three worlds. Her roar echoed through the heavens, rallying the devas and filling them with renewed courage. Thus Chandraghanta embodies the union of beauty and valor — the divine feminine who is at once a loving mother bestowing peace and a fearless warrior annihilating evil. Worshipping her on this third night is believed to dissolve the devotee's inner demons of doubt and fear, replacing them with spiritual courage and divine grace.
Step-by-Step Rituals
Step 1: Rise before dawn, bathe, and wear royal blue or grey clothing. Cleanse the puja space and place a fresh idol or image of Maa Chandraghanta upon a red cloth over a wooden chowki, flanking it with a kalash and a lit akhand jyoti from Night 1.
Step 2: Invoke Maa Chandraghanta by offering sindoor, kumkum, haldi, and red bangles. Adorn the murti with white and yellow flowers, especially jasmine and chameli. Light five ghee diyas arranged in a semi-circle before the Goddess, symbolizing the crescent moon on her forehead.
Step 3: Recite the Chandraghanta Dhyana Shloka followed by the third chapter (Tritiya Adhyaya) of the Durga Saptashati. Chant her beej mantra 'Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chandraghantayai Namah' 108 times using a rudraksha or sphatik mala, maintaining focus on the Ajna chakra (third eye center).
Step 4: Offer the bhog of milk-based preparations such as kheer, malpua, or doodh-peda along with fresh seasonal fruits. Present a paan with supari and offer incense of chandan or guggul. Perform the aarti using the traditional 'Jai Ambe Gauri' or a Chandraghanta-specific aarti while ringing a ghanta (bell) continuously to honor her name.
Step 5: Conclude with the Kshama Prarthana (forgiveness prayer) and distribute the prasad. Devotees observing the Navratri vrat should consume only one sattvic meal of kuttu, singhara, or sabudana preparations. Meditate for a few minutes visualizing Maa Chandraghanta's golden radiance dissolving all fear and negativity from within.
Symbolism
Maa Chandraghanta's form is laden with profound spiritual symbolism. The crescent moon shaped as a bell on her forehead represents the union of Shiva (moon) and Shakti (sound-vibration), signifying that true power arises when consciousness and energy merge. The bell's sound symbolizes the pranava nada — the primordial cosmic vibration that dispels ignorance and awakens higher awareness. Her ten arms signify mastery over all ten directions, indicating her omnipresent protection. The tiger she rides represents raw, untamed shakti brought under the command of dharmic will. Her three eyes see past, present, and future — nothing escapes divine perception. In the journey of the nine nights, Chandraghanta marks the transition from the devotee's initial steps of spiritual discipline (Shailaputri) and austere penance (Brahmacharini) into the realm of courage and empowered action. She governs the Manipura chakra, the solar plexus center of willpower, self-confidence, and transformation. Worshipping her is understood to burn away karmic impurities through the fire of tapas and grant the sadhaka the spiritual bravery needed to confront deeper layers of ego and illusion in the nights ahead.
Regional Variations
North India
In Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan, Chandraghanta Puja is observed with elaborate Durga Saptashati path in homes and temples. Pandals in Varanasi and Prayagraj host collective recitations. In many Rajasthani households, women apply sindoor tilak and offer grey or blue dupattas to the Goddess. Jagran (night-long devotional singing) is especially popular on this night, with bhajan mandalis performing Chandraghanta-specific compositions.
South India
In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the third day of Navaratri aligns with the Golu/Kolu display tradition where a tier representing warrior goddesses is prominently decorated. Chandraghanta is invoked as a fierce form of Durga, and temples dedicated to Chamundeshwari (Mysuru) and Kanaka Durga (Vijayawada) hold special abhishekam with milk and sandalwood paste. In Andhra Pradesh, women gather for group recitation of Lalita Sahasranama and exchange turmeric-kumkum as prasad.
East/West India
In West Bengal, the third night falls during the Durga Puja preparation period, with artisans giving finishing touches to Durga idols in Kumartuli. Chandraghanta is revered as a war-form of Durga preparing for the cosmic battle. In Gujarat, this is one of the peak Garba-Raas nights — the color associated with Night 3 (often grey or royal blue) is enthusiastically adopted in attire. Dandiya raas circles grow larger as community celebrations intensify through the night.
Diaspora Home Guide
For Hindu families abroad, the third night of Navratri can be observed meaningfully with a simple home setup. Place an image of Maa Chandraghanta on your altar — printouts or digital frames work well if a murti is unavailable. Light a ghee diya or even a battery-operated lamp if open flames are restricted. Wear grey, royal blue, or any deep-toned clothing to honor the day's color. Recite her mantra 'Om Aim Hreem Kleem Chandraghantayai Namah' 21 or 108 times using a mala or a counting app. If the full Durga Saptashati is not accessible, read an English translation of the third chapter or listen to a recitation via a streaming platform. Prepare a simple bhog of milk kheer using pantry staples — rice, milk, sugar, and cardamom. Many diaspora communities organize Garba nights at local community halls or temple associations; attending these on Night 3 brings the collective energy of celebration. Involve children by sharing the story of Chandraghanta's wedding-day transformation and discussing the value of courage. Ring a small bell during aarti to honor her name. Connect virtually with family in India for shared recitations if possible, bridging distance through devotion.
Foods Offered
- Kheer (rice pudding with cardamom and saffron)
- Malpua (sweet fried pancakes soaked in sugar syrup)
- Doodh Peda (milk fudge)
- Paneer Makhana (cottage cheese with fox nuts in mild gravy)
- Sabudana Khichdi (tapioca pearl preparation for vrat observers)
Colors
Mantras
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः
Om, I invoke the powers of creation (Aim), illusion-dispelling energy (Hreem), and transformative force (Kleem). Salutations to Goddess Chandraghanta.
पिण्डजप्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥
She who rides the great tiger, armed with fearsome weapons and blazing with righteous fury — may the renowned Chandraghanta bestow her grace upon me.