Navratri is a vibrant festival that spans nine days, dedicated to honouring the various forms of the divine feminine, or Shakti. It holds immense religious and cultural significance, particularly in Hinduism, where devotees worship the Goddess in her different manifestations. Each day of Navratri is devoted to a specific aspect or form of the goddess, celebrating her powers of creation, preservation, and destruction.
On the third day of Navratri, October 5, 2024 (Tritiya Tithi of Shukla Paksha in Ashwina), devotees honour and invoke the blessings of Goddess Chandraghanta, a fierce yet compassionate form of the divine mother.
This form of Goddess Durga is known for her bravery and protective nature. The half-moon on her forehead, resembling a bell (Ghanta), gives her the name Chandraghanta, and the sound of the bell is believed to drive away negative energies and evil spirits.
Mantra - या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मां चंद्रघंटा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।। पिण्डज प्रवरारूढ़ा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसादं तनुते महयं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता।।
She is portrayed with ten arms, riding a tigress, which symbolizes her valor and readiness to battle evil forces With a crescent moon adorning her forehead, she rides into battle, embodying both beauty and strength. Her presence fills the air with a protective energy, encouraging us to confront life’s challenges with bravery and grace.
Her weaponry further emphasizes her role as a warrior goddess:
In her four left hands, she holds:
A trident (symbolizing power and protection),
A mace (representing strength),
A sword (standing for wisdom and knowledge),
A Kamandalu (a water vessel symbolizing purity and austerity).
Her fifth left hand is in the Var Mudra, a gesture of granting blessings and boons to her devotees.
In her four right hands, she carries:
A lotus flower (representing purity and spiritual growth),
An arrow and bow (signifying focus and aim),
A Jaap Mala (rosary beads symbolizing devotion and meditation).
Her fifth right hand is in the Abhaya Mudra, which signifies protection, fearlessness, and reassurance to her devotees.
As Meera prepared her pooja on the third day of Navratri, Meera felt a sense of empowerment growing within her. She remembered how Chandraghanta, the warrior goddess, had fought fearlessly to protect the righteous, her crescent moon a symbol of emotional balance amidst the chaos. Meera knew that she, too, could face her struggles with courage, just as the goddess had done.
Meera began by offering marigold flowers, bright and bold, their orange and yellow hues symbolizing the fiery energy of the goddess. Next, she lit a diya filled with mustard oil, its warm glow illuminating her home. The camphor she lit for the aarti filled the air with a purifying fragrance, driving away any negativity and filling her heart with courage.
Her final offering was a simple one: red vermilion (Sindoor), placed gently on the goddess’s forehead, just as it adorned Chandraghanta’s own.
At Pooja Lok, we believe that every Navratri ritual carries profound meaning, and we’re here to ensure that each offering reflects the depth of your devotion. From the purity of our sindoor to the incense that purifies your space or the diya that lights your prayers, our pooja samagri is crafted to help you embrace the divine energy and the power of Goddess Chandraghanta with grace and reverence.
As you stand before the goddess on this third day of Navratri, know that with every diya you light, every flower you offer, and every prayer you speak, Pooja Lok is here to support your spiritual journey.
At Pooja Lok, we don't just provide products—we deliver devotion and spirituality and hence we consider ourselves as Your Spiritual Partner