Maa Chandraghanta | Goddess Worshipped On The Third Day Of Navaratri

On the third day of Navaratri, the Goddess is worshipped as Chandraghanta. She is the bridal avatar of Maa Parvati. Parvati did penance for 5000 years to win Lord Shiva as her husband. She suffered extreme hardships during those years. Initially the Goddess subsisted on flowers and fruits. However, as years went by, she stopped eating at all and survived only on water.

Maa Chandraghanta

Towards the end of her tapas she stopped drinking the water too. Obviously, the severity of her penance emaciated her and thus she earned the name Aparna. Aparna literally means without leaf or without sustenance. When her mother saw her looking so thin and wearing dirty clothes, she tried to dissuade her by saying Uma. Uma means oh, don’t. Maa Brahmacharini’s severe austerity, however, pleased Lord Shiva. When he glanced upon her fragile frame, the Goddess regained her beauty and strength.

Maa Chandraghanta has a golden complexion. She is extremely beautiful. She wears a half moon shaped bell on her forehead. That is how she earned the name Chandraghanta.

While she looks calm and peaceful, she is always ready to take on evil forces to protect her devotees. Hence, she is a symbol of strength and courage. She has a third eye on her forehead. She has ten hands and one of them is always in the Abhayamudra (blessing posture). The other hands carry various weapons.

Devotees who worship Maa Chandraghanta on the third day of Navaratri get relief from curses, various afflictions and ailments. They also gain knowledge, courage and wisdom.