The Legend of Goddess Chandraghanta and her Role in Navratri

Maa Chandraghanta is the third avatar of Durga Mata, worshiped during Navratri. She’s adorned with a half-moon shaped like a bell on her forehead, hence the name Chandraghanta (Chandra means moon, and ghanta means bell). Maa Chandraghanta represents power, courage, and protection against all evil forces.

In this blog, we will discuss more about this powerful form of Maa Durga and its significance.

The Origin of Maa Chandraghanta

As per the Shiva Purana, after performing strong penance for over 5000 years and shifting to being a Brahmacharini, Maa Parvati was finally married to Lord Shiva. However, while she was settling at her new home in Kailasha, the demon Tarkasura was keeping an evil eye on her. This was because according to the boon he had received from Lord Shiva, the biological son of Shiva and Parvati would be the cause of Tarkasura’s death. Therefore, Tarkasura was planning to kill Parvati so that she never gets to give birth to a child. 

And for this, he took the help of Jatukasur, the demon bat. He along with his bat army attacked the Shiv Gana and there was bloodshed all around. Parvati got really frightened seeing all of this and reached out to Shiva, crying and pleading for help. But Lord Shiva was deeply engrossed in meditation and told Parvati that he could not leave his Tapa. This left Parvati feeling helpless. However, seeing Parvati in such a state, Shiva reminded her of her inner power. He told her that she herself is the epitome of Shakti, the mother of the universe who is courageous enough to fight anything that disturbs the universal balance. This filled Parvati with a different kind of energy and she decided to fight the demon herself.

Parvati went out to face Jatukasur but wasn’t able to see anything clearly as the demon bat and his army had covered the entire sky with their giant wings and there was only darkness all around. Herein, she sought the help of Chandra Dev who illuminated the ground with his light. Parvati carried Chandradev as a crescent on her forehead and headed all into the battle. 

But the bat army was all over and it was getting difficult to control them. Herein, Parvati used a huge bell (Ghanta), the sound of which warded off the bats away. After this, she attacked Jatukasura, cut his wings with a sword, hit his head with the ghanta, and stabbed the trishula in his chest, to put him to death.

Also Read : The Story and Symbolism of Goddess Brahmacharini

Symbolism & Iconography of Chandraghanta Mata 

Maa Chandraghanta is depicted with ten hands carrying a trishula (trident), gada (mace), kamala (lotus flower), bow and arrow, Kamandalu (waterpot), khadak (sword), japa mala (rosary) and ghanta (bell). One of her hands remains in abhaya mudra, blessing all her devotees. She has a golden complexion and is seen riding on a wolf which stands as a symbol of courage and bravery.

However, what’s important to know is that despite carrying multiple weapons and representing the aggressive, ready-to-fight nature of Maa Durga, Chandraghanta mata equally carries warmth, care, and motherly qualities. She is always on the go to destroy evil but for her devotees, she is a kind, compassionate, and nurturing mother who is always there to protect them from all the negative forces. 

Mantras and Prayers for Maa Chandraghanta

1. ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥

Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah

2. ll प्रवररुधा चण्डकोप्तस्त्रकायेर्युतप्रसादम् तनुते माह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता ll

Pindaya Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta

Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta

Worshiping Maa Chandraghanta : Pujan Vidhi and Rituals

Follow the following steps or rituals to worship Maa Chandraghanta and seek her blessings during Navratri :

• Get up early in the morning, take a bath, and wear clean clothes, preferably something in yellow. 
• Sit in front of the altar you set up for Navratri on the first day of the festival. Light up a ghee lamp and incense stick to start the rituals. Put kumkum (vermilion) tilak on Maa Chandraghanta's forehead.
• Offer flowers/garlands and bhog prasad that you prepared as an offering for Maa Chandraghanta.  
• Following this, recite the Durga Saptashati Path and Durga Chalisa to invoke the deity. You can also meditate upon the mantras mentioned above. 
• Conclude the pooja, by performing the aarti and seeking the blessings of Chandraghanta Mata.

Conclusion

So, this was all about the third form of Maa Durga i.e., Chandraghanta. She is the fierce and courageous yet nurturing avatar of Durga Mata who grants her devotees with strength and wisdom to face the challenges of life.