The third day of the nine-day long festival- Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Chandraghanta Maa Durga. Crescent moon on her forehead gives her the name. Goddess Chandraghanta is very beautiful, peaceful and soothing to eyes. She wears red or white clothes and rides on king of animals – the lion. Goddess Chandraghanta has ten hands where she carries arrow, bell, lotus, bow, sword, trishul, gada and kamandal in her eight hands.
Navratri Day 3
One shall start the day by offering his or her prayers by worshipping all gods, goddesses and planets in the Kalash first and then offer the puja to Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Goddess Saraswati, Lakshmi, Jaya and Vijaya. These are the family members of Maa Durga. Goddess Chandraghanta shall then be offered the prayer and read third chapter of Durga Saptashathi which shall be followed by heartfelt worship of Lord Shiva and Lord Brahma.
Date:3rd October,2016 (Monday)
Begin time (Muhurat): 10:06AM on 3rd October, 2016 (Monday)
End time:12:34 PM on 4th October, 2016 (Tuesday)
Colour of the day: Red or White
Goddess: Chandraghanta
Goddess Chandraghanta is also known by Chandra-Khanda and Chandika. In Orissa devotees know her as Ram Chandi. There is also a temple situated in Puri District of Orissa the meaning of the Chandraghanta is – Chandra means moon and Ghanta means bell. The name so given to her is due to presence of half-moon on her forehead which is in shape of bell. The ringing of the bell does away the evils from her devotees.
Tale Behind The Name
There is a popular tale behind this name. This originated when Parvati wanted to marry Lord Shiva. And after her years long prayers, fast and austerity Lord Shiva, finally, agrees to marry her. On the day of marriage Lord Shiva arrived at the palace of Himalayan – the king of the mountains, along with his friends-which included every creature possible. Lord Shiva was dressed so horribly that even Lord Shiva was looking fearsome. When the king and queen came to welcome them, the queen fainted because of the appearance of Lord Shiva.
The king went to his daughter Parvati and asked her to bring the situation under control and also Lord Shiva. To bring the things under control Parvati had to turn herself into a beautiful Goddess with ten hands. Now the avatar of Parvati was totally changed. Now, she was looking charming beauty with ten hands with weapons in eight of them, one bell in 9th one and was riding a lion. As Lord Shiva gave her a glance, he got spell-bound and agreed to change his appearance to the normal. This is how Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati got married. This is the manifestation which we celebrate today – on the 3rd day of Navratri.
Colour Of the Day:
For the third day of Navratri the color which is significant and pleases Goddess is Red. This colour symbolizes beauty, bravery, peace and calmness. White is also the color for the day because Goddess name is derived from the crescent moon which worn by her on the head.
Navratri Foods:
Food that is offered to Goddess and the devotees should intake are different for all the days and holds a special significance. It may vary from north to south. For the third day of Navratri, milk or food items made of milk are prepared and offered to Goddess Chandraghanta. Kheer and sweets can be offered to the Goddess to appease her. This will bring relief from pain and misery. For devotees who observe fast-they can take milk, tea, fruits, seel ki patti or ladoo prepared with amaranth seeds.
Maa Chandraghanta Mantra
ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥
Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥
Prarthana –
पिण्डज प्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यम् चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥
Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta।
Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta॥
