Chaitra Navratri 2024 : Day 3 Maa Chandraghanta, Puja Vidhi and Significance

• 06 Apr 2024
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Every year, across India, people come together to celebrate Chaitra Navratri, a nine-day festival honoring the powerful goddess Durga. Each day of Navratri focuses on a different form of Durga, with each form having special qualities and blessings. On the third day, it's time to honor Maa Chandraghanta, a brave and kind version of the goddess.

Who is Maa Chandraghanta?

Maa Chandraghanta's name means "one with the moon-shaped bell." She's a strong warrior goddess who looks fierce but is also beautiful and peaceful. She has ten arms, each holding a shastra, showing she can fight anything bad and protect her followers. The most interesting part about her is the crescent moon that sits on her forehead, kind of like a ghanta. This special decoration shows how calmness and strength can go together perfectly.

Read More - Chaitra Navratri 2024 : Day 1 Maa Shailputri, Puja Vidhi And Significance

Why Worship Maa Chandraghanta?

There are many reasons to worship Maa Chandraghanta on the third day of Navratri. Here are a few:

• She gives you strength and bravery: Praying to Maa Chandraghanta can make you feel braver and stronger inside. This can help you face any challenges that come your way, stand up for yourself, and reach your goals.

• She brings peace and harmony: Even though she looks tough, Maa Chandraghanta also represents peace and quiet inside. Praying to her is believed to bring calmness to your life and help you stay peaceful even when things are tough.

• She helps you overcome problems: Maa Chandraghanta is a powerful warrior goddess who can fight off anything bad. People believe that praying to her can help remove any obstacles in your life, both personal and professional, making it easier to succeed.

• She boosts your confidence: Because Maa Chandraghanta is such a brave warrior, praying to her can inspire you to believe in yourself more. This can be especially helpful if you're feeling unsure about yourself and don't quite believe you can achieve your dreams.

Easy Puja Guide for Maa Chandraghanta in Chaitra Navratri 2024

There's a special prayer ceremony, called puja, that you can do on the third day of Chaitra Navratri to ask for Maa Chandraghanta's blessings. Here's how to do it, step by step:

1. Get ready: Wake up early, ideally before sunrise, and take a shower. Clean the area where you'll do the puja and make sure it's quiet and peaceful.

2. Special pot (Kalash): Fill a kalash with holy water, either from the Ganges River (Ganga Jal) or another clean source. Put a mango leaf (Aam Patra) on top and tie a sacred thread (Moli) around it. Place a coconut on the mango leaf for good luck.

3. Worship Ganesha: Start the puja by praying to Lord Ganesha, the god who removes obstacles. Chant a little prayer for him mantra and ask him to help you have a smooth and successful puja.

4. Archna of Maa Chandraghanta: Invite Maa Chandraghanta to join you in the Kalash by chanting this mantra:

   • Om Chara Chandraghantayai Namah

5. Puja : Put a picture or statue of Maa Chandraghanta near the Kalash. Offer her flowers yellow or red are good choices, fruits, sweets, and incense sticks. Light an oil diya and perform aarti by chanting this Maa Chandraghanta mantra:

   • Om Aim Hrim Clini Chandraghantayai Namah

6. Reading Durga Saptashati: You can read Durga Saptashati or other scriptures dedicated to Maa Durga to receive even more blessings.

7. Prasad: Finish the puja by doing aarti again and offering some prepared Prasad to Maa Chandraghanta.

8. Meditaton: Spend some time quietly meditating, thinking about Maa Chandraghanta's good qualities. Pray for her blessings and tell her what you wish for.

Read More - Chaitra Navratri 2024 : Day 2 Maa Brahmacharini, Puja Vidhi And Significance

Dos and Don'ts for Chaitra Navratri Puja

• Do: Keep everything clean and pure throughout the puja.
• Do: Wear clean clothes, preferably in lucky colors like yellow or red.
• Do: Offer vegetarian food (sattvic food) to Maa Chandraghanta, as it's considered pure and light.
• Do: Focus and be devoted during the puja.
• Don't: Eat meat

Busy schedule but want to celebrate Navratri? Try online puja!

Can't make it to the temple? No worries!  Online puja Services lets you celebrate holy occasions like Navratri from the comfort of your home. Pandit will do the puja rituals on your behalf, following your instructions.  You can choose the custom pooja mandir like deity, puja type, and even receive prasad (holy offerings) by courier! It's a convenient and meaningful way to connect with your faith during busy times.

Trending FAQ on Chaitra Navratri 2024 : Day 3 Maa Chandraghanta, Puja Vidhi and Significance

1. What color should I wear to worship Maa Chandraghanta?

Traditionally, auspicious colors like yellow and red are preferred when worshipping Maa Chandraghanta. Yellow symbolizes light, knowledge, and prosperity, while red signifies strength and courage – qualities Maa Chandraghanta embodies. However, ultimately, any clean and comfortable clothes can be worn with devotion as the focus is on sincerity during the puja.

2. Can I do the puja if I don't have a Kalash?

The Kalash filled with holy water is a traditional part of the puja. However, if you don't have one readily available, you can improvise with a clean pot or bowl filled with water. The most important aspect is offering your prayers and devotion to Maa Chandraghanta.

3.  Is it okay if I don't know the mantras by heart?

It's perfectly alright if you don't memorize the mantras for the puja. You can find them online or in prayer books and simply recite them with sincerity. Even a simple prayer from the heart directed towards Maa Chandraghanta holds immense value.

4. What can I offer Maa Chandraghanta as Prasad?

Sattvic food, which is considered pure and light, is ideal for offering as Prasad to Maa Chandraghanta. This can include fruits, homemade sweets like kheer or halwa, or simple vegetarian dishes. You can choose based on your preferences and what's readily available.

5.  I can't fast for the entire nine days. Can I still participate in the puja?

Absolutely! Observing fasts during Navratri is a personal choice. You can still participate in the puja and celebrate the spirit of Chaitra Navratri by offering prayers and maintaining a sense of purity and devotion, even if you don't fast for the entire duration.

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