Chaitra Navratri 2018: Day 3 - Worship Goddess Chandraghanta for courage and strength

Devi Durga was jointly created by the holy trinity - Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer) to eliminate a demon named Mahishasur, who's treachery ruined peace and sanctity in the three worlds. 

Known as the destroyer of evil and enforcer of good sense and morality, Durga, the ten-armed Goddess is worshipped during Navratri, a festival spread over nine days during four different times of the year.

Out of the four Navratris, the Chaitra and the Sharadiya are the most popular. The others are Aashada and Magha Gupta Navratri.

Durga, who represents the feminine form, is worshipped during Navratri - Nav meaning nine and Ratri meaning nights. 

One of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, who is worshipped on the third day of Navratri is Goddess Chandraghanta.

The Goddess wears the crescent on her head which resembles a moon and hence her name is Chandraghanta. According to some legends, she holds a bell shaped like a crescent moon in her hand and hence her name - Chandraghanta. This form of Devi Durga is responsible for establishing justice (dharma) in the world. 

Seated on a tiger, Goddess Chandraghanta is depicted with dushabhuja or ten hands.

She is one of the most ferocious forms of Goddess Durga and is well equipped for a war (if a need arises) for the welfare of humanity. Her devotees seek her blessings for courage, strength and bravery.

Here’s a simple mantra dedicated to Devi Chandraghanta:

ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥

Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥

You may also recite the stuti in honour of Goddess Chandraghanta.

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ चन्द्रघण्टा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samstita

Namastasyay Namastasyay Namastasyay Namo Namah