Navratri 2023 Day 3 celebrates Maa Chandraghanta, the third avatar of Goddess Durga, with rituals highlighting her significance, puja methodologies, auspicious timings, and essential offerings. This day of Shardiya Navratri is integral for devotees, as they immerse themselves in worship, understanding the deity’s importance and adhering to specific rites and ceremonies.
The nine-day festival of Navratri is a vibrant and spiritual occasion dedicated to worshipping Maa Durga and her nine manifestations, known as the Navadurgas. On the third day of Shardiya Navratri, which began on October 15 and concludes on October 24, devotees pay homage to Maa Chandraghanta. If you’re observing the festival this year, it’s essential to understand the significance of this day and the deity being worshipped.
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Navratri 2023 Day 3: Significance and Rituals
Date and Timing: This year, the third day of Navratri falls on October 17. For those keen on auspicious timings, the Brahma Muhurat begins at 4:42 am and ends at 5:33 am. The Abhijit Muhurat is from 11:43 am to 12:29 pm, while the Amrit Kal lasts from 11:23 am to 1:02 pm.
Colour: The designated colour for Day 3 is a vibrant red.
Puja Vidhi and Samagri:
- Start the day by waking up early and dressing up in new attire.
- Place the deity’s idol on a raised platform or your dedicated prayer spot.
- Bathe the idol with ingredients like Kesar, Ganga Jal, and Kewra.
- Adorn the goddess in gold-coloured garments and offer her yellow flowers, Jasmine, panchamrit, and mishri.
- Conclude the puja by offering kheer as prasad.
Puja Mantras and Prayers: On this day, devotees recite several mantras to invoke the goddess’s blessings:
- Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah
- Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta
- Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samsthit Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
- Several verses like Apaduddharini Tvamhi… further exalt the goddess’s many attributes and forms.
In essence, Maa Chandraghanta represents both peace and valour, teaching devotees about the importance of balance in life. As we move through Navratri, remembering her significance can provide a deeper understanding and appreciation of the festival’s profound spirituality.
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Who is Maa Chandraghanta?
Maa Chandraghanta is the third form of Goddess Durga and symbolizes the married avatar of Maa Parvati. After her marriage to Lord Shiva, she started to adorn her forehead with a half-moon or ‘Chandra,’ earning her the name Chandraghanta. Represented riding a tigress, she has ten hands holding various symbols including a lotus flower, arrow, Dhanush, and Japa Mala. Significantly, she keeps one hand in Abhaya Mudra, symbolizing protection, and another in Varada Mudra, indicating blessing.
Not just a symbol of marital bliss, Maa Chandraghanta also epitomizes peace. But this peaceful form has a warrior side too. Legend has it that the bell sound from her moon-shaped ornament can drive away evil spirits. And during her battles with demons, this bell’s sound sent thousands of them to their doom.