The form of Maa Chandraghanta is so iconic that even Shiva’s aura was dominated by her, but in a form of love and respect.
If you have ever witnessed the evening aarti in the temple, you’ll know the sound of the Ghanti. It is not just for echo or mere sound. It’s a feeling, like it travels straight into your chest, clearing away restless thoughts, inviting peace.
Day 3 of Navratri carries that same vibration. It belongs to Maa Chandraghanta, the warrior goddess whose very name comes from the chandra shaped like a bell on her forehead.
But why does a goddess of war carry such gentle beauty in her name? Why does her story hold both the strength of a warrior and the softness of a mother? To understand that, we have to travel back to the moment when Parvati was about to marry Mahadev.
Who is Maa Chandraghanta?
Legend says that when Lord Shiva arrived for the wedding, he didn’t come like the groom we imagine today, with flowers and gold. Because, of course, he is Mahadev – Na Moh Ki Chinta, Na Maya Ka Bandhan.
He came smeared in ash, wearing a garland of skulls, surrounded by bhoots, ganas, and creatures of the wild. The earth shook, the air grew heavy, and fear spread in every heart present. Maa Parvati’s mother, Devi Mena, was very more shocked than anyone. So, Devi Mena suggested that Maa Parvati should rethink her decision.
Maa Parvati understood the concern of her mother. It was then that Parvati, with calm determination, transformed into Chandraghanta. She radiated golden light, her form adorned with a shining crescent moon, riding a roaring lion. The gentle bride became the fierce protector, balancing both beauty and terror, assuring her family that she was ready to match Shiva’s energy. Her ghanta, the divine bell, is said to have scattered away the negative spirits and silenced fear itself.
And so, Maa Chandraghanta is remembered not just as the bride of Shiva, but as the form of courage, readiness, and balance. She shows us that when life presents challenges that look terrifying, we too can transform, from gentle to strong, from hesitant to unshakable.
This is who Maa Chandraghanta is, the embodiment of courageous Maa Parvati.
How Maa Chandraghanta Was Depicted?
Maa Chandraghanta is often described in ancient Hindu texts like the Markandeya Purana, which contains the Durga Saptashati. She is portrayed with:
- Ten hands, holding weapons like trishul, gada, bow, sword, and lotus.
- A ghanta (bell), which is her symbol of vibration and clarity.
- Golden complexion, radiating light like the sun.
- A crescent moon on her forehead in the shape of a bell.
- Riding a roaring lion, showing her fearless nature.
This form of Maa teaches us balance, softness of the lotus, and sharpness of the sword. Strength doesn’t mean losing compassion; it means protecting dharma with love at the core.
What is The Significance of Red Color?
Day 3 of Navratri glows in the color red, not just any red, but the kind that feels alive, like a burning diya in the dark. This is the color of Maa Chandraghanta, the warrior form of Maa Durga. When you look at red, what do you feel? Strength, energy, passion, that’s exactly what Maa blesses us with on this day.
Red is shakti. It’s the fire that helps us fight our inner battles and the courage that makes us stand tall even when life shakes us. That’s why when devotees wear red sarees, kurtas, or tie a red chunri in their mandir, it feels like they are wrapping themselves in Maa’s protection.
Even the sindoor and red flowers offered to her carry the same meaning, a reminder of Maa’s fierce love and her promise to guard her children. And yet, this red isn’t just about battle and power. It’s also the color of love of Maa Parvati’s eternal bond with Mahadev.
So when we wear red on Day 3, we are not just dressing up for a ritual. We are stepping into her energy, a mix of strength and devotion, fire and warmth. It’s like carrying a little bit of Maa’s own aura with us throughout the day.
Why is Maa Chandraghanta worshiped as the Third Navdurga?
Practically, we worship Maa Chandraghanta as the third Navdurga on the third day of Navratri because she is the third form embodied by Maa Parvati. But that’s not the only reason. Not long after Maa Parvati married Bhagwaan Shiv, she was still a new bride, lovingly taking care of her home in Kailash. Shiv ji, as always, was lost in his deep meditation. But evil never stays quiet for long.
The asura Tarakasura couldn’t bear the thought of Shiv and Shakti united. To disturb their peace, he sent his commander Jatukasura, a terrifying demon who led an army of bats. One day, the skies above Kailash went black as thousands of bats spread their wings. The newly decorated home of Parvati began to fall into chaos.
The skies turned black, the ganas were helpless, and Shiv ji stayed absorbed in tapasya. It was then that Parvati herself rose to protect her home. She prayed to the moon, whose light shone from her forehead, and with a mighty ghanta, she sent a divine sound that scattered the bats. Empowered, she struck Jatukasura down in a single blow.
From that moment, she was no longer just the bride of Kailash. She became Maa Chandraghanta, the fierce warrior goddess. Her form teaches us that devotion must walk hand in hand with courage, and that with Maa’s blessings, even the darkest forces can be destroyed in an instant.
Mantras To Worship Maa ChandraGhanta
Chanting her mantra during puja is said to invoke her blessings:
Mantra
ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥
Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥
Stuti
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ चन्द्रघण्टा रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
Prarthna
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥
Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta।
Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta॥
Conclusion
Maa Chandraghanta is a form of true courage, along with kindness. When Maa Parvati first became Maa Chandraghanta, Bhagwaan Shiv, and she became one, and when she became what she is now. We became what we are.
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