Goddess Chandraghanta is the third aspect of Navadurga. She is worshiped on the third day of Navratri festival. A crescent moon in the shape of a bell adorns the head of the goddess, hence the name of the goddess is ‘Chandraghanta’. She is also known as ‘Chandhanta’ or ‘Chitrahanta’. The governing planet of Chandraghanta is Shukra.

Appearance of Chandraghanta

Goddess Chandraghanta is depicted as Dasabhuja (ten-armed goddess). Her complexion is bright like gold. She wears a red saree and a crescent moon on her forehead as she is called Chandraghanta. Her vehicle is a lion. In her five hands she holds Gadha (mace), Taloyar (sword), Trishul (trident), Teer (arrow) and Dhanush (bow). In other three hands, Chandraghanta holds Japamala (a loop of prayer beads), Padma (lotus) and Kamandalu (a traditional pot that holds holy water). Remaining two hands of the goddess show Varada and Abhaya Mudra and bless the devotees.

Story of Chadraghanta

According to Hindu mythology, on the wedding day of Shiva and Parvati, the goddess assumed the form of Chandraghanta. When Shiva appeared in the in-laws palace accompanied by deities, sages, ghosts, goblins, etc. Parvati’s parents fainted with fear seeing the lord’s gigantic body, long hair, skull, tiger skin and snake around his neck. Chandraghanta asked Shiva to assume his attractive form. Shiva then assumed the form of a prince and married the goddess.

Another story says, Goddess Durga emerged from the collective light of the gods before the slaying of Mahishasura, the gods adorned her with their respective weapons. At that time, Indra removed the bell from the neck of his vehicle, the elephant Airavat, and created another bell from it for the goddess. When the goddess rang this bell during the battle, the demon armies became dull.

Chandraghanta Dhyana Mantra

pindaj pravara rudha chand kopastra keyurta |
prasadam tanute maham chandra ghanteti vishruta ||

पिण्डजप्रवरारूढा चन्दकोपास्त्रैर्युता
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता ॥

Meaning:

Worship Devi Chandraghanta who is riding on the best of animals living on flesh (Tiger), who is displaying a ferocious rage and is accompanied by various weapons. Please extend your grace on me, O Devi, you who are known as Chandraghanta.

By Krishna Das