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Introduction :
The third day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, the incarnation of Maa Durga in her third form. According to religious scriptures, Spiritual power is believed to be bestowed upon those who worship and revere Maa Chandraghanta.
Who is Maa Chandraghanta?
A peaceful and beneficial form of Maa Durga can be found in this form. Since she has an hour-shaped crescent on her forehead, thus she is known as Chandraghanta. Her body is as radiant as gold and she rides on a lion. She has ten arms and each hand is adorned with various war weapons therefore she is also known as Ranchandi.
Towards her left side, she carries a club (Gada), a sword, a trident, and a karmandal in her four hands while the fifth one is raised to bless her devotees; on her right side, she has an arrow, a bow, a rosary, and the tenth hand is placed in such a way as if granting fearlessness to her worshipers. She mounts elegantly on the lion and her posture indicates that she is ready for a war with demons (symbolically the evil inside human beings and vices prevalent in the world) in order to relieve the sufferings of the devotees as quickly as possible. Her worshiper becomes fearless and mighty like her carrier (वाहन) the lion.
Mantra of Maa Chandraghanta:
The main mantra of Maa Chandraghanta is –
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ चंद्रघंटा रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते महयं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता।।
But the Beej Mantra of Maa Chandraghanta is Aim Shree Shaktyai Namah ( ऐं श्रीं शक्तयै नम: ). The devotees should Chant the Beej Mantra of Maa Chandraghanta 108 times. By chanting this Beej Mantras of Maa, all the problems of the devotee will be resolved as soon as possible.
The story about Maa Chandraghanta :
According to religious scriptures, Maa Chandraghanta was incarnated to kill demons. She was blessed by Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. She holds a sword, trident, bow and mace in her hands. A crescent moon sits on her forehead in the shape of an hour. For the devotees, this form of Maa is gentle and calm.
Why is Maa Chandraghanta worshipped?
There is a belief that devotees of Maa develop courage, and become self-reliant, gentleness, and humble as a result of their faith in Maa Chandraghanta. One should pray this form of Adi Shakti to remove the bad effect of the Moon which is the provider of fortune and is ruled by Maa Shailputri.
Those who worship Maa Chandraghanta have the brightness on their faces, and eyes, as well as in their entire body. In their voice, there is a sense of divine melodiousness. Wherever the worshipers of Maa Chandraghanta go, they spread happiness.
According to Hindu mythology, Shukra is ruled by the Goddess Chandraghanta. Therefore, by worshiping Maa Chandraghanta the devotee gets all the positive effects of planet Shukra/ Venice.
How to pray Maa Chandraghanta?
On the third day of Navratri, after getting up early and taking bath, sprinkle Gangajal at the place of worship. Then meditate on Mother Chandraghanta and light a ghee lamp in front of her. Offering Akshat, vermilion, flowers etc. to Maa pleases Her.
One must offer fruits and saffron-milk sweets or kheer as prasadam, then do the aarti of Maa Chandraghanta.
Wearing white, brown or gold coloured clothes at the time of worship of Maa Chandraghanta is considered auspicious. Along with this, devotees can offer sweets made from milk on this day. It is believed that honey is also dear to the mother.
