Chandraghanta
Discover Chandraghanta, devotional traditions and prayers in AartiSetu.
Introduction
Maa Chandraghanta is the third form of Goddess Durga among the Navadurga, worshipped on the third day of Navratri. Her name refers to the crescent moon shaped like a bell on her forehead. She is portrayed as both compassionate and courageous, protecting devotees and confronting harmful forces.
Maa Chandraghanta is revered as the third of the nine Navadurga forms of Goddess Durga. In the commonly followed Navratri sequence, devotees worship her on the third day, Tritiya.
Her defining symbol is the crescent moon on her forehead, described as resembling a bell (ghanta). Traditional images often show her with ten arms and riding a tiger or tigress; some traditions depict a lion. Her form brings together serenity, courage, vigilance, and divine protection.
https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-goddesses/parvati/durga/navdurga-chandraghanta.html
https://panchang.astrosage.com/festival/navratri/chandraghanta
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/navratri/chandraghanta
Names and Meanings
The name Chandraghanta combines the Sanskrit words chandra (moon) and ghanta (bell), referring to the bell-like crescent moon on the Goddess's forehead.
Chandraghanta
चन्द्रघण्टा
She who bears a crescent moon resembling a bell on her forehead.
Chandrakhanda
चन्द्रखण्डा
A name associated with the crescent moon adorning the Goddess.
Navadurga
नवदुर्गा
One of the nine revered forms of Goddess Durga.
https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-goddesses/parvati/durga/navdurga-chandraghanta.html
https://panchang.astrosage.com/festival/navratri/chandraghanta
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/navratri/chandraghanta
Divine Identity and Relationships
In the Navadurga tradition, Chandraghanta is identified with Goddess Parvati in her married and warrior-like form. Her imagery emphasizes that compassion and calmness can coexist with strength and readiness to protect dharma.
The crescent moon links her iconography with Lord Shiva, who is also traditionally depicted with a crescent moon. The bell-like form is interpreted devotionally as a sign of awakening, courage, and the dispelling of fear.
associated
Goddess Parvati
Chandraghanta is understood in the Navadurga tradition as a form of Parvati.
associated
Lord Shiva
She is associated with Shiva as Parvati's consort; the crescent moon in her iconography echoes the crescent traditionally shown on Shiva.
associated
Goddess Durga
Chandraghanta is the third form in the commonly followed Navadurga sequence.
Crescent moon shaped like a bell
Her defining emblem; associated in devotional interpretation with alertness and the removal of fear.
Ten arms and divine weapons
Traditional images show weapons such as a trident, sword, mace, bow, and arrow, signifying readiness to protect.
Tiger or tigress mount
Represents courage and strength; some traditions depict her riding a lion.
Abhaya and Varada mudras
Gestures associated respectively with fearlessness and the granting of blessings.
https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-goddesses/parvati/durga/navdurga-chandraghanta.html
https://panchang.astrosage.com/festival/navratri/chandraghanta
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/navratri/chandraghanta
Sacred Stories
A widely shared Navratri tradition connects Chandraghanta with Parvati after her marriage to Lord Shiva.
In a popular devotional account, after Parvati's long period of tapasya and her marriage to Shiva, she is revered in a radiant form bearing a crescent moon on her forehead. Because the crescent is described as resembling a bell, this form came to be known as Chandraghanta.
The story is often understood as a joining of grace and strength: the Goddess remains benevolent toward devotees while being ready to confront forces that threaten peace and righteousness. Accounts and details vary across devotional retellings.
Devotional descriptions associate the Goddess's bell symbolism with the destruction of fear and harmful forces.
In devotional imagery, the bell-like crescent and the Goddess's formidable warrior form signal that harmful forces cannot overpower divine protection. Her weapons and mount reinforce her readiness to defend the righteous.
This story is commonly shared as a spiritual reminder to face difficulty with courage while keeping a steady and compassionate mind; it should be understood as devotional tradition rather than a single universally fixed narrative.
https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-goddesses/parvati/durga/navdurga-chandraghanta.html
https://panchang.astrosage.com/festival/navratri/chandraghanta
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/navratri/chandraghanta
Bhog and Offerings
Offerings to Maa Chandraghanta vary by region, family custom, and local temple tradition. Common devotional offerings may include flowers, fruit, sweets, and other clean vegetarian foods.
Jasmine flowers
Drik Panchang lists jasmine as a flower associated with worship of Maa Chandraghanta.
Fruit
A common devotional offering during Navratri worship; the type may follow household or temple custom.
Sweets or vegetarian bhog
Offerings vary by tradition; prepare them cleanly and offer according to the family's customary practice.
Offerings differ across regions and households; no single list should be treated as universal.
Prepare and offer food respectfully, then distribute prasad according to family or temple custom.
If observing a fast, follow a safe practice appropriate to one's circumstances and established family tradition.
https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-goddesses/parvati/durga/navdurga-chandraghanta.html
https://panchang.astrosage.com/festival/navratri/chandraghanta
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/navratri/chandraghanta
Dhyan and Devotional Contemplation
Contemplating Maa Chandraghanta can focus on the balance between a calm mind and courageous action, with compassion guiding the use of strength.
Sit comfortably, breathe naturally, and bring to mind the serene yet courageous form of Maa Chandraghanta.
Use the bell-like crescent as a devotional reminder to awaken attention, meet fear honestly, and return to steadiness.
Reflect on one difficult situation in which you can act firmly without abandoning kindness.
Where do I need courage while remaining calm and compassionate?
What fear can I acknowledge and address through a thoughtful next step?
How can I use strength to protect or help others rather than to dominate?
https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-goddesses/parvati/durga/navdurga-chandraghanta.html
https://panchang.astrosage.com/festival/navratri/chandraghanta
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/navratri/chandraghanta
Worship and Puja Practices
Maa Chandraghanta is commonly worshipped on the third day of Navratri. Practices vary by region and family; follow the custom familiar to your household or temple.
Clean the place of worship and arrange an image or representation of Maa Chandraghanta, water, flowers, and offerings.
Offer flowers or other customary items and pray with a calm, focused mind.
A commonly recited mantra is “ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः” (Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah).
Bathe or wash hands and prepare a clean place for worship.
Place the Goddess's image respectfully and begin with a prayer according to your tradition.
Offer flowers, water, fruit, or other customary bhog with devotion.
Recite the Chandraghanta mantra or a prayer familiar to your household.
Conclude with aarti if customary, then distribute prasad respectfully.
https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-goddesses/parvati/durga/navdurga-chandraghanta.html
https://panchang.astrosage.com/festival/navratri/chandraghanta
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/navratri/chandraghanta
Festivals
Sharadiya Navratri
The nine-night festival in the lunar month of Ashwin; Gregorian dates change each year.
Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on the third day in the commonly followed Navadurga sequence.
Chaitra Navratri
A nine-night festival observed in the lunar month of Chaitra; dates change each year.
Devotees who follow the Navadurga sequence also worship Chandraghanta on the third day.
https://www.drikpanchang.com/hindu-goddesses/parvati/durga/navdurga-chandraghanta.html
https://panchang.astrosage.com/festival/navratri/chandraghanta
https://www.artofliving.org/in-en/navratri/chandraghanta