Navratri Day: The Secret Power of Navratri’s Third Day •

 Navratri Day: The vibrant and spiritually charged festival of Shardiya Navratri is a nine-night journey dedicated to the nine divine forms of Goddess Durga. As the celebrations unfold, the third day, falling on September 24, 2025, holds a special significance.This is the day devotees honor Maa Chandraghanta, the third magnificent incarnation of Goddess Durga, a beacon of bravery, grace, and tranquility. Her worship is believed to remove obstacles, grant courage, and bring profound peace into the lives of her followers.

The Majestic Form and Powerful Symbolism of Maa Chandraghanta

Maa Chandraghanta is the married form of Goddess Parvati. After her divine union with Lord Shiva, she began to adorn her forehead with a half-moon (Chandra) shaped like a bell (Ghanta), which earned her the revered name Chandraghanta.This form of the Goddess is both awe-inspiring and deeply symbolic. She is depicted with a radiant golden complexion, riding a majestic lion, which signifies courage, valor, and dharma.

Her appearance is formidable yet serene. With three eyes and ten hands, she is ever-ready for spiritual warfare. Eight of her hands hold a potent array of weapons—such as a trident, mace, sword, and bow and arrow—while the remaining two are held in mudras that grant boons and offer protection to her devotees. This powerful imagery illustrates a profound truth: Maa Chandraghanta embodies both fierce, protective power and gentle, peace-giving grace.The sound of the celestial bell on her forehead is believed to drive away all evil spirits and negative energies, purifying the atmosphere and the minds of her worshippers.

The Legendary Tale: From a Serene Bride to a Fearless Warrior

The story of Maa Chandraghanta highlights her dual nature. She represents the transformation of Parvati from a determined ascetic (Brahmacharini) to a powerful protector. One significant legend recounts that after her marriage, when demons attacked the divine realms, she assumed this fierce form to annihilate them, establishing justice and discipline in the world. This narrative teaches that while she is the epitome of peace and prosperity, she will not hesitate to become a formidable warrior to defend righteousness and protect her devotees from harm.Her worship is particularly beneficial for those who feel insecure, as she instills hope, courage, and the strength to face any adversity.

How to Perform the Day 3 Puja for Maa Chandraghanta in 2025

The worship of Maa Chandraghanta on the third day of Shardiya Navratri is a special ritual that can fill your home with positive vibrations.

Step-by-Step Puja Guide:

1. Purify and Prepare: Begin your day early, during the auspicious Brahma Muhurat (4:36 AM to 05:24 AM on September 24, 2025), with a purifying bath and wear clean clothes.The sacred space for the puja should be thoroughly cleaned.
2. Set Up the Altar: Place the idol or picture of Maa Chandraghanta on a clean platform, preferably on a red or yellow cloth.
3. Invoke the Goddess: Light a ghee lamp and incense sticks to create a divine ambiance. Take a pledge (sankalp) to worship the Goddess with sincere devotion.
4. Offerings (Bhog): Present the Goddess with her favorite offerings. Milk, and sweets made from milk like kheer, are considered especially dear to her. You can also offer fruits, honey, and pomegranate.
5. Flowers and Adornments: Adorn the deity with yellow flowers, such as marigolds, along with kumkum, sandalwood paste, and rice (akshat).
6. Chanting and Prayers: Recite the sacred mantras dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta to invoke her grace. Chanting “ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥” (Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah) 108 times is highly beneficial. Reading from the Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa is also recommended
7. Aarti: Conclude the puja by performing the Aarti with heartfelt devotion, singing hymns in her praise.
8. Distribute Prasad: After the puja, share the offered bhog with your family as prasad, a symbol of her divine blessings.

The Transformative Blessings of Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta

Devotion to Maa Chandraghanta on the third day of Navratri brings a multitude of blessings. Her worship is known to pacify the mind and instill a sense of fearlessness and inner strength.Devotees who pray to her are blessed with success, prosperity, and good health.

She governs the planet Venus (Shukra), and by her grace, all obstacles and sufferings can be removed.Worshipping her also helps in awakening the Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus Chakra), which is associated with willpower, self-esteem, and leadership qualities. By connecting with her energy, you can overcome your fears, calm your anxieties, and find the perfect balance between external strength and inner peace.

This Navratri, let the divine grace of Maa Chandraghanta fill your life with unwavering courage, profound peace, and resounding success.