Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri are significant goddesses during the Navratri festival. If you and your loved ones are observing the festival and fasting this year, it’s important to acquaint yourselves with Maa Chandraghanta.
Who is Maa Chandraghanta?
She is the married manifestation of Maa Parvati, adorned with a half Moon on her forehead after marrying Lord Shiva, earning her the name Goddess Chandraghanta. Riding a tigress, she’s depicted with ten hands, holding a lotus, arrow, Dhanush, and Japa Mala in her four right hands, with the fifth right hand in Abhaya Mudra and the fifth left hand in Varada Mudra. Maa Chandraghanta is known as the peaceful form of Maa Parvati. The sound of the moon and bell on her forehead is believed to ward off evil spirits. Legend has it that her bell’s sound sent countless demons to the God of Death during battles.
On Day 3 of Shardiya Navratri, symbolized by the color Red, devotees should rise early, don new clothes, place the Goddess’s idol on a chowki or puja sthaan, and bathe it with Kesar, Ganga Jal, and Kewra. Adorn the Goddess in golden attire and offer yellow flowers, Jasmine, panchamrit, and mishri. A special bhog of kheer is presented to Maa Chandraghanta, and kheer is offered as prasad during the puja.
