Posted on September 24, 2025 | By Hindutone Editorial Team

Welcome to the third sacred day of Navratri 2025! Today, September 24th, we worship Maa Chandraghanta, the third divine form of Goddess Durga. This fierce yet benevolent goddess represents the transformation from gentle Parvati to the warrior form, ready to protect her devotees from all evil forces.

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About Maa Chandraghanta

Name Meaning: "Chandraghanta" means one who has a half-moon (Chandra) shaped bell (Ghanta) on her forehead, which produces a divine sound that destroys demons and evil spirits.

Appearance: Maa Chandraghanta has a golden complexion with ten hands. She rides a lion and carries various weapons including trishul, gada, sword, and kamandalu. Her third eye is always ready to destroy evil, while her other expressions show grace and compassion.

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Significance: She represents courage, bravery, and valor. She protects devotees from supernatural powers, negative energies, and provides strength to face life's battles.

Color of the Day: Red (Laal) - representing power, passion, and purity

Complete Puja Vidhi (Step-by-Step Rituals)

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Pre-Puja Preparations (5:30 - 6:00 AM)

Personal Preparation

  1. Wake up during Brahma Muhurta (4:00 - 6:00 AM)
  2. Take a purifying bath with a pinch of turmeric and rock salt
  3. Wear red or maroon clothes to honor Maa Chandraghanta
  4. Apply red tilaka on forehead with kumkum
  5. Keep fast (if observing) based on your chosen vrat type
  6. Maintain brave and positive mindset throughout the day

Puja Space Setup

  1. Clean the altar with rose water or Ganga jal
  2. Spread a red cloth on the puja platform
  3. Place red flowers around the sacred space
  4. Install fresh Kalash if needed or worship existing one
  5. Arrange Maa Chandraghanta's picture/idol facing east
  6. Light red colored lamps or use ghee lamps
  7. Keep lion figurine if available (her vehicle)

Essential Puja Items (Samagri)

Basic Items:

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  • Red flowers (roses, hibiscus, red marigold)
  • Red cloth/chunari
  • Kumkum, sindoor, chandan
  • Rice grains mixed with kumkum
  • Red fruits (pomegranate, red apples)
  • Red colored sweets (gulab jamun, rasgulla with red color)
  • Ghee for lamp and havan
  • Camphor and incense sticks
  • Coconut with red cloth
  • Betel leaves with red design
  • Red colored rice (if available)

Special Items for Maa Chandraghanta:

  • Small bell or ghanti
  • Red coral beads or mala
  • Honey for abhishek
  • Red sandalwood paste
  • Pomegranate juice for offering
  • Red colored prasad ingredients
  • Small lion idol or picture

Detailed Puja Procedure (6:00 - 8:00 AM)

Step 1: Invocation and Altar Preparation

  1. Light the ghee lamp while chanting:"ॐ चन्द्रघण्टायै दीपज्योतिर्नमो नमः। सर्वपापहरे देवि सर्वसौख्यप्रदायिनी।।"
  2. Ring the bell throughout puja and chant:"घण्टा ध्वनिं करोम्यद्य देव्याः प्रीत्यर्थमद्य च। सर्वविघ्नहरं देवि चन्द्रघण्टे नमो नमः।।"
  3. Purification mantra:"शुक्लांबरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम्। प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत् सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये।।"

Step 2: Ganesh Puja and Protection Invocation

  1. Invoke Lord Ganesha:"गणानां त्वा गणपतिं हवामहे प्रियाणां त्वा प्रियपतिं हवामहे। निधीनां त्वा निधिपतिं हवामहे वसो मम आह्वानमीडुष्वा।।"
  2. Offer red flowers to Ganesha
  3. Invoke protection from all negative forces

Step 3: Kalash Puja

  1. Worship the Kalash as divine presence:"कलशस्य मुखे विष्णुः कण्ठे रुद्रः समाश्रितः।मूले तत्र स्थितो ब्रह्मा मध्ये मातृगणाः स्मृताः।।"
  2. Apply red tilaka to Kalash
  3. Tie red thread around Kalash neck
  4. Offer red flowers in circular pattern

Step 4: Main Deity Invocation (Dhyana)

  1. Meditation verse for Maa Chandraghanta:"पिण्डजप्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता। प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता।।"
  2. Complete Dhyan Shloka:"वन्दे वांछितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्। सिंहारूढा चन्द्रघण्टा यशस्वी मनोकामदाम्।। सुस्वरूपां सुशीलां सुमुखीं शुभवेशाम्। पञ्चाशन्मत्रभूषांगीं शुक्लाम्बरधरां शिवाम्।।"
  3. Invoke her presence:"आगच्छ देवि चन्द्रघण्टे सुराराध्ये जगत्प्रिये। इह तिष्ठ जगन्माता भक्तानां सुखदायिनी।।"

Step 5: Abhishek (Sacred Bath)

  1. Water Abhishek while chanting:"गंगे यमुने चैव गोदावरि सरस्वती। नर्मदे सिन्धु कावेरि जलेऽस्मिन् सन्निधिं कुरु।।"
  2. Milk Abhishek:"दुग्धाभिषेकं कुर्वन्ति देव्याः प्रीतिकराय च। सर्वकामफलप्राप्ति मातुश्चन्द्रघण्टायाः।।"
  3. Honey Abhishek (special for Chandraghanta):"मधुना स्नापयाम्यद्य चन्द्रघण्टां जगत्प्रियाम्। सौभाग्यं सर्वदा देहि भक्तानां मङ्गलप्रदाम्।।"
  4. Clean with fresh water and pat dry with red cloth

Step 6: Vastra and Alankara (Clothing & Decoration)

  1. Offer red chunari to the goddess:"वस्त्रं समर्पयाम्यद्य देव्यै चन्द्रघण्टायै। शोभार्थं च सुरक्षार्थं गृहाण परमेश्वरि।।"
  2. Apply chandan and kumkum tilaka
  3. Offer ornaments if using murti
  4. Place fresh red flowers - especially roses and hibiscus
  5. Make flower garlands around the picture/idol

Step 7: षोडशोपचार (Shodashopachara - 16 Services)

Perform each service with devotion:

  1. आवाहनम् (Invocation):"आगच्छ देवि चन्द्रघण्टे आगच्छ जगदम्बिके। स्थापयामि कलशे त्वां पूजार्थं परमेश्वरि।।"
  2. आसनम् (Offering Seat):"सिंहासनं समर्पाम्यहं सर्वकामफलप्रदम्। आसनं गृह्यतां देवि प्रसन्ना भव सर्वदा।।"
  3. पाद्यम् (Water for Feet):"पादयोः पाद्यमादाय प्रक्षालय जगत्प्रिये। पादपद्मं तवाम्बाया नमस्ते चन्द्रघण्टके।।"

Step 8: Special Naivedya for Day 3

Today's Special Prasad: Red Rice Kheer or Gulab Jamun

Red Rice Kheer Recipe:

  • 1 cup rice soaked and cooked
  • 4 cups full-fat milk
  • 1/2 cup jaggery or sugar
  • Red food coloring (natural)
  • Dry fruits and cardamom

  1. Prepare the prasad with devotion
  2. Offer while chanting:"नैवेद्यं गृह्यतां देवि चन्द्रघण्टे जगत्प्रिये। अन्नदाता त्वमेवासि भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदायिनी।।"
  3. Place offerings on clean banana leaf or silver plate
  4. Include seasonal red fruits - pomegranate, red apples
  5. Offer water in a small copper vessel

Step 9: Main Mantras and Japa

Primary Mantra:

"ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः।।"
(Chant 108 times with red coral mala)

Beej Mantra:

"ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः।।"
(Chant 54 times)

Special Power Mantra:

"या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः।।"

Chandraghanta Kavach:

चन्द्रघण्टा पातु मस्तके, महामाया पातु नेत्रयोः।
कल्याणी पातु कण्ठे च, शुभकारी पातु हृदयम्।।
महालक्ष्मी पातु नाभिदेशे, दुर्गा पातु गुह्यके।
मूलाधारे महेश्वरी, पातु सर्वाङ्गे चन्द्रघण्टा।।

Step 10: Chandraghanta Aarti

Complete Aarti:

जय चन्द्रघण्टा मैया, जय चन्द्रघण्टा।
अर्धचन्द्र सिर पे सोहे, मस्तक पे घण्टा।।

सिंह की सवारी माता, कर में शस्त्र सज्जायी।
दुष्टों का नाश करने, तुम आयी महामायी।।

दस हाथों में शस्त्र है, करती रिपु संहारा।
मां का रूप निराला है, शक्ति रूप अपारा।।

चन्द्रघण्टा मां की महिमा, घर-घर में जो ध्यावे।
मां की कृपा बरसती, मनवांछित फल पावे।।

देवों का भी गुरु माता, तुम्हीं से शक्ति पावे।
धरती माता का मंगल, तुम्हीं से हो जावे।।

हे जगमाता हे जगमाता, हे जगदम्बा भवानी।
चन्द्रघण्टा मैया तुम, जग की कल्याणी।।

Step 11: Prarthana and Conclusion

Special Prayer for Day 3:

हे मां चन्द्रघण्टा! आपका मस्तक घण्टा सभी बुराइयों को नष्ट करता है।
हमारे जीवन से भी सभी नकारात्मक शक्तियों को दूर करें।
हमें साहस और वीरता प्रदान करें जिससे हम जीवन की हर चुनौती का सामना कर सकें।
आपकी शक्ति हमें सदा सुरक्षा प्रदान करे और हमारे परिवार की रक्षा करे।।

Final Offerings:

  1. Pushpanjali (flower offering) with both hands
  2. Pradakshina (circumambulation) - 3 or 7 times
  3. Sashtanga Pranam (prostration)
  4. Seek forgiveness for any errors:"अपराधसहस्राणि क्रियन्तेऽहर्निशं मया।दासोऽयमित्ति मां मत्वा क्षमस्व परमेश्वरि।।"

Evening Rituals (6:00 - 8:00 PM)

Sandhya Aarti and Worship

  1. Relight the lamps with fresh ghee
  2. Offer fresh flowers if available
  3. Perform evening aarti with same devotion
  4. Recite Durga Saptashati - especially Chapter 4 (Chandraghanta episode)
  5. Meditation session focusing on courage and fearlessness
  6. Community participation if available

Vrat (Fasting) Guidelines for Day 3

Fasting Options Suitable for Chandraghanta Day:

1. Poorna Upvas (Complete Fast):

  • Only water allowed during day
  • Break fast after evening aarti
  • First consume prasad, then light meal

2. Phalahar (Fruit Fast):

  • Red fruits preferred - pomegranate, red apples, strawberries
  • Milk products allowed
  • Nuts and dry fruits permitted
  • No regular salt - only rock salt or sendha namak

3. Sakahar Ekadashi Style:

  • No grains, pulses, regular vegetables
  • Allowed: Potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruits, milk
  • Use rock salt and red chili powder
  • Avoid onion, garlic, regular spices

4. Red Food Vrat (Special for Day 3):

  • Focus on red colored natural foods
  • Red rice, red lentils, tomatoes, red bell peppers
  • Red fruits and vegetables
  • Red colored natural beverages

Vrat Breaking Procedure:

  1. Time: After sunset and evening puja
  2. Start with: Prasad and Ganga jal
  3. Then consume: Light, easily digestible food
  4. Include: Red colored items as blessed by goddess

Special Observances for Day 3

For Protection from Enemies:

  1. Chant protection mantras 108 times
  2. Light mustard oil lamp facing south
  3. Offer red chili garland to goddess
  4. Keep red coral or rudraksha with you

For Courage and Confidence:

  1. Meditate on Maa Chandraghanta's fierce form
  2. Practice deep breathing exercises
  3. Visualize red light surrounding you
  4. Carry small bell as divine protection

For Removing Fear and Anxiety:

  1. Ring bell while chanting her mantras
  2. Place small ghanta near your bed
  3. Listen to her aarti before sleeping
  4. Practice warrior poses in yoga

Charitable Activities for Day 3

Recommended Donations:

  • Red clothes to needy women
  • Food to warriors - army, police, security personnel
  • Bell or ghanta to temples
  • Red flowers for decoration of community temples
  • Safety equipment like helmets, first aid kits
  • Self-defense training sponsorship for women

Regional Variations

North Indian Practices:

  • Hawan with red flowers and ghee
  • Durga Saptashati Path focusing on demon-slaying episodes
  • Community jagran with bhajans
  • Red rangoli patterns at entrance

Bengali Traditions:

  • Sandhi Puja timing if falls on Day 3
  • Dhunuchi dance with special vigor
  • Red hibiscus as primary offering flower
  • Fish curry (for non-fasting devotees) as traditional food

South Indian Methods:

  • Golu display featuring warrior goddesses
  • Classical dance performances depicting her stories
  • Carnatic music sessions with her compositions
  • Red colored kolam designs

Gujarati Customs:

  • Garba in red attire during evening celebrations
  • Aarti with traditional folk instruments
  • Community feast featuring red colored dishes
  • Dandiya dance representing her weapons

Astrological Significance

Planetary Connections:

  • Mars (Mangal) energy is heightened today
  • Tuesday influence - if falls on Tuesday, extra beneficial
  • Red coral gemstone gains special power
  • Blood red garnet meditation recommended

Zodiac Benefits:

  • Aries and Scorpio natives get special blessings
  • Mars-dominated charts see positive changes
  • Those with weak Mars gain strength and courage
  • Legal matters and disputes find favorable resolutions

Health and Wellness for Day 3

During Worship and Fasting:

  1. Include iron-rich foods if not fasting completely
  2. Pomegranate juice for energy and blood circulation
  3. Red beet juice for stamina and strength
  4. Avoid anger and negative emotions
  5. Practice breathing exercises for lung health

Physical Activities:

  1. Martial arts practice if you know any
  2. Power yoga or dynamic asanas
  3. Running or brisk walking to build stamina
  4. Self-defense training sessions
  5. Lion pose (Simhasana) in yoga

Spiritual Benefits of Day 3 Worship

Immediate Benefits:

  • Increased courage and confidence
  • Protection from negative energies
  • Resolution of pending conflicts
  • Mental strength and clarity
  • Physical vitality and energy

Long-term Benefits:

  • Development of leadership qualities
  • Success in competitive situations
  • Protection from accidents and harm
  • Strong will power and determination
  • Spiritual warrior mentality

Common Mistakes to Avoid on Day 3

  1. Don't suppress anger - channel it positively instead
  2. Don't avoid red colors thinking they're too bold
  3. Don't skip bell ringing - it's essential for Chandraghanta
  4. Don't eat spicy food if fasting - it can cause acidity
  5. Don't engage in arguments - maintain warrior's discipline
  6. Don't ignore safety precautions while handling fire/lamps
  7. Don't rush through mantras - chant with full concentration

Tomorrow's Preparation (Day 4 - Maa Kushmanda)

Get Ready For:

  • Orange/yellow flowers and decorations
  • Sun salutation practices
  • Solar energy meditation
  • Orange colored food preparations
  • Pumpkin-based prasad items
  • Early morning sun worship timing
  • Surya mantras practice

For Courage:

"मां चन्द्रघण्टा की शक्ति से, मैं सभी डर पर विजय पाता हूं।"
"With Maa Chandraghanta's power, I conquer all fears."

For Protection:

"घण्टा नाद से सभी बुरी शक्तियां भाग जाती हैं, मैं सुरक्षित हूं।"
"The bell's sound drives away all evil forces, I am protected."

For Victory:

"सिंह वाहिनी मां की कृपा से, मैं जीवन की हर लड़ाई जीतूंगा।"
"With the grace of the Lion-riding Mother, I will win every battle of life."

Community Engagement Activities

Organize in Your Area:

  • Self-defense workshops for women and children
  • Courage building activities for youth
  • Protection charm making sessions
  • Red color themed cultural programs
  • Warrior goddess storytelling sessions
  • Bell making or painting workshops

Technology and Modern Worship

Digital Integration:

  • Alarm tones with temple bells for wake-up
  • Chandraghanta mantras as phone ringtones
  • Red themed wallpapers and backgrounds
  • Virtual reality temple visits if physically unable
  • Live streaming participation in distant temple prayers
  • Apps for mantra counting and timing

Environmental Consciousness

Eco-friendly Celebrations:

  • Natural red colors from beetroot, hibiscus
  • Biodegradable decorations instead of plastic
  • Clay bells instead of metal for water bodies
  • Organic flowers without chemical treatments
  • Solar lamps for evening celebrations
  • Minimal noise pollution while using bells and music

Conclusion

As we honor Maa Chandraghanta on this third day of Navratri, we invoke the divine warrior within ourselves. Her bell destroys not just external evil, but also our inner demons of fear, doubt, and weakness. Let her lion-like courage flow through our veins and her protective energy shield us from all harm.

Remember, true worship lies not just in external rituals but in embodying the qualities of the divine mother - courage in adversity, protection for the innocent, and the warrior spirit to fight for righteousness.

May Maa Chandraghanta's blessings transform you into a fearless devotee, ready to face life's challenges with divine strength and unwavering faith.

Connect with Hindutone Community

Share Your Day 3 Experience:

  • Post photos with #HindutoneNavratri #ChandraghantaDay
  • Share your courage stories and transformations
  • Exchange protection mantras and techniques
  • Upload your aarti videos and bell recordings

Join Our Special Day 3 Activities:

  • Live Courage Building Session at 7 PM
  • Virtual Bell Concert - participants ring bells together
  • Warrior Goddess Meditation guided session
  • Protection Mantras Workshop for families

Available Resources:

  • Chandraghanta Mantra Audio files
  • Bell sound library for meditation
  • Red themed decoration ideas gallery
  • Courage building exercise videos
  • Protection charm making tutorials

"घण्टा ध्वनि से सभी अशुभ शक्तियां दूर हो जाती हैं। मां चन्द्रघण्टा का आशीर्वाद सदा हमारे साथ रहे।"

"The sound of the bell drives away all inauspicious forces. May Maa Chandraghanta's blessings always remain with us."

जय मां चन्द्रघण्टा! जय माता दी! Jai Maa Chandraghanta! Jai Mata Di!

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Spiritual Helpline: Available 24/7 during Navratri for guidance and support Tomorrow Preview: Day 4 - Maa Kushmanda worship guide with sun-energy rituals and cosmic power invocations!