Chandraghanta, the radiant form of the Divine Mother, is worshipped on the third day of Navratri. Her name “Chandraghanta” means “the one who carries the moon-shaped bell on her forehead.” This form of the goddess Chandraghanta is both graceful and fierce, reminding us that true strength is born when courage and compassion walk together.
As Navratri is not just about prayers or traditions, it is about discovering these hidden truths within ourselves. On the third day, Chandraghanta Devi teaches us how to balance peace of mind with the power to face life’s toughest battles. Her story is not only divine, it is deeply human, touching the heart with lessons of love, patience, and inner strength.
Let’s travel back to where it all began with vedic stories.
Previous Story : Maa Brahmacharini Devi Story | Navratri 2025 Day 2
The Wedding of Shiva and Parvati
In our previous blog, we learned about Maa Brahmacharini, the form of Parvati who chose penance and devotion to win Lord Shiva’s heart. After years of her tapasya, Shiva finally accepted her love.
Parvati then returned to her parents, King Himavan and Queen Menavati. They were filled with joy and pride, seeing their daughter victorious in her devotion. Soon, preparations began for the grand wedding of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
But Lord Shiva, known as Bholenath, never cared for appearances or formalities. He came to the wedding in his natural form— his body smeared with ash, his hair matted, snakes wrapped around him as ornaments, and riding a bull. His wedding procession was unlike any other. Ghosts, spirits, and ganas surrounded him, dancing wildly and shouting “Bam Bam Bhole!”
When Queen Menavati saw this sight, she was terrified. The thought of her gentle daughter marrying someone so fierce was too much for her and she fainted in shock.
The Emergence of Maa Chandraghanta
When Devi Parvati saw her mother’s distress, she decided to change her form. She took a powerful appearance with ten arms holding weapons and a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead. This was her Chandraghanta form.
In this form, she requested Lord Shiva to appear in a gentle and graceful way. Shiva agreed and took the form of a handsome bridegroom, which made everyone happy. From that moment, Parvati was worshipped as Maa Chandraghanta, a goddess who represents both protection and compassion.
Life After the Wedding
After the grand wedding, Devi Parvati began her life as a gentle and devoted bride. She accompanied Lord Shiva to Kailasha and cared for Him lovingly. Every day, she cleaned His cave, offered prayers, and attended to all His needs. Slowly, she made Kailasha her new home with patience, love, and devotion.
But the peace of Kailasha did not last long. The demon Tarakasura grew restless. Now that Shiva and Shakti were united, he feared losing his power. To disturb their harmony, he sent Jatukasura, a powerful bat-demon, along with a huge army of bats. The sky above Kailasha darkened as the bats spread their wings and destroyed the newly arranged home of Ma Parvati.
Facing the Challenge
As a new bride, Ma Parvati did not know how to fight demons. She first sought help from Nandi, Lord Shiva’s loyal companion, but he was nowhere to be found. The other Ganas of Shiva also pleaded with Her for protection, as Jatukasura had defeated them repeatedly.
Ma Parvati then went to Lord Shiva for guidance. But Shiva was deep in meditation. Instead of stopping the demon himself, He empowered Her from within. Inspired by this divine energy, Ma Parvati realized that She could face Jatukasura on her own.
The Rise of Chandraghanta
Stepping out of the cave, Ma Parvati saw the sky darkened by bats. She prayed to Chandra Dev, asking the moon to rest on Her forehead and light up the battlefield. To help her, a pack of Himalayan wolves came rushing to Her side.
Ma Parvati noticed that Jatukasura drew his strength from the bats above. She lifted a massive bell, a ghanta, and rang it loudly. The sound cleared the sky of bats. As one wolf attacked Jatukasura, Ma Parvati struck him with the ghanta and defeated him in a single blow.
This form, with the crescent moon on Her forehead and the ghanta in Her hand, was glorified as Maa Chandraghanta by Brahma Dev. Her story reminds us that true power lies within. Challenges appear in life to help us realize our full potential, and with courage, faith, and divine inspiration, we can overcome them all.
Iconography of Maa Chandraghanta
Maa Chandraghanta’s image is filled with both strength and beauty:
- She has a golden complexion and ten arms.
- She carries a trident, mace, bow, arrow, sword, lotus, bell, rudraksha mala, and kamandalu.
- One hand is in abhaya mudra, giving protection and fearlessness to devotees.
- She rides a golden lion, symbolizing bravery and power.
- A half-moon in the shape of a bell shines on her forehead.
- Her third eye remains open, ready to destroy evil.
It is said that during battles, the sound of her bell shook the heavens and filled demons with terror.
Spiritual Significance of Maa Chandraghanta
The moon (Chandra) represents the mind, which is always restless, shifting between joy, fear, anger, and love. The bell (Ghanta) represents a single, steady sound. Maa Chandraghanta teaches us that just like a bell creates only one note, our restless mind too must become steady, focused on the Divine.
She governs the Manipura Chakra (Solar Plexus), the seat of power, courage, and transformation. Worshipping her helps devotees remain calm in chaos, brave in challenges, and pure in thoughts.
Her blessings:
- She removes obstacles and fears.
- She grants courage to face difficulties.
- She protects devotees from negative energies.
- She brings emotional stability and inner balance.
Rituals on Day 3 of Navratri
On the third day of Navratri, devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta with deep devotion:
- Offerings: Jasmine flowers, milk, sweets, and fruits are offered to please her.
- Fasting: Devotees observe vrat, eating only sattvic food.
- Puja Vidhi: A diya is lit, mantras are chanted, and prayers are offered with pure heart.
- The ringing of bells is considered very auspicious during her worship, as it removes negativity.
Maa Chandraghanta Mantra
The most common mantra for Day 3 Navratri is:
“ॐ देवी चंद्रघंटायै नमः”
“Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah”
Chanting this mantra removes fear, brings peace to the mind, and fills life with divine energy.
Maa Chandraghanta in Today’s World
In today’s busy and stressful life, Maa Chandraghanta’s message is very important. She teaches us not to run away from the chaos of our mind but to guide it with discipline and devotion. When the restless mind becomes calm, the divine energy within us awakens.
Maa Chandraghanta is both courageous and gentle. She shows us that true strength is not harsh but balanced with kindness. In our daily struggles, her blessings inspire us to stay peaceful, brave, and full of faith.
Conclusion
Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of Nav Durga, represents both strength and peace. On the 3rd day of Navratri, devotees worship her for fearlessness, calmness, and protection. She is fierce toward evil but gentle like moonlight for her devotees.
Her story teaches that real strength is in staying steady and calm even when life feels chaotic. Just as her bell drives away negativity, her presence removes fear and doubt from the heart. On Day 3 of Navratri, may Maa Chandraghanta bless everyone with courage, clarity, and divine light.
Till then, keep reading Vedic Stories.
