Goddess Chandraghanta is the third one among the Navadurga Devi’s and is also the preceding diety on the third day of Navaratri.
The name Chandraghanta is a combination of two words Chandra and Ghanta, where chandra means moon and Gantha means bell.
The Goddess got the name as she is adorned with Chadra (moon) on her head in the form of a bell shape.
This Goddess also carries a bell with her that looks like a moon, which she uses in the war with demons. This is also another attribute by which this Goddess got the name Chandraghanta.
Known for her protecting nature, this Goddess is associated with the Manipura Chakra of Kundalini.
Iconography of Chandraghanta Devi
Goddess Chandraghanta is usually depicted as a three eyed, wearing a moon on her forehead, and mounted on a lion. The Devi is also represented with ten hands.
The Goddess holds a lotus, bow, arrow, and a rosary in her four of the left hands while the other showing the posture of Abhaya mudra.
While in the right hands, she holds a Trident, mace, sword, kamandala, and shows the gnana mudra or varada mudra with one of her right hand.
However, during the times of war, the Chandraghanta mata is depicted making war sounds with the bell holding in her hands. Due to fear of the war sounds, several of the demons used to run way from the battlefield.
In the Devi Kavacha of Chandi, the Nava Durga Devi’s – Shailaputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta and so on are described as a form of Mother Goddess Chandi.
Benefits of Worshipping Chandraghanta
Worshipping goddess Chandraghanta is believed to bring fearlessness in the sadhaka.
Also, she is considered as the bestower of wealth and health, along with offering her protection to the devotees.
Mantra and Hymn of Goddess Chandraghanta
Mantra
Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namaha
Hymn
Pindaja pravararudha chanda kopastra kairyuta
Prasadam tanute mahyam Chandraghantheti vishrutha
I bow to you, Goddess Chandraghanta,
Who is mounted on a Tiger, who expresses her anger on the wicked, whose hands are adorned with divine weapons
Please bestow me always your grace, O Goddess Chandraghanta Mata, the omni present.
Temples
Here are some of the temples dedicated to the Goddess Chandraghanta
Chandraghanta Durga Temple, Varanasi
Story related to Devi Chandraghanta
There are very few stories that mention about Chandraghanta Devi, one of them is related to God Shiva and Parvati’s marriage which is partly linked to the incarnation of Chandraghanta Devi and here is the story.
After the tapa done by goddess Parvati in order to reunite with God Shiva as her husband, God Shiva came in front of Parvati and agreed for marriage.
However, with due respect to the incarnation, Goddess Parvati requested God Shiva to discuss their marriage with Himavanta and Menaka, who got the boon from her that she will be their daughter.
God Shiva smiled and agreed to the Parvati’s wish. He sent the Saptarishis with Arundhati Devi to discuss about the marriage of Shiva and Parvati with Himavanta.
Himavanta agreed, and the celebration of the marriage of the Great God Shiva and Great Goddess Shakthi in the form of Parvati started.
Being the Supreme God and the father of all the worlds, The devotees of God Shiva are not just confined in the Devas and Manavas, Along with them Asuras and all the creatures like Bhutas, Prethas, and Pisachas too worship god Shiva.
At the same time, God Shiva, too never discriminates between any of his creation. He treats the Devas, Asuras, and all other creatures equally until they are in the righteous path.
So, all the Ganas too prepared themselves in their own styles and joined the celebrations of the marriage of the divine couple.
On the other side, Menaka and Himavantha were welcoming the guests. Initially, all the devaganas and devas came. Looking at the appearance of gods, she thought God Shiva might have dressed in a very great way like that of devas, who came for his marriage.
However, from a long distance she saw millions of ganas marching merrily along with God Shiva on the Nandi.
God Shiva was fully smeared with the ashes. He is along with the pisacha and other ganas. Goddess Parvati too saw the God Shiva, but she didn’t find him any different with his other appearances.
But, looking at God Shiva’s appearance, Menaka Devi terrified and she fainted.
During that time, it is believed that Maa Parvati took the enchanting form of Chandraghanta and went to God Shiva. Seeing at her, God Shiva understood the Menaka’s wish on the appearance and took the Kalyana Sundara form, an enchanting form where God Shiva can be seen in the form of a bridegroom.
In the meanwhile, Devi Menaka understood the tattva of God Shiva. Later, the marriage of the Divine couple Shiva and Parvati happened.
Like this Goddess Parvathi took the enchanting form of Chandraghanta to remove off the fears of Menaka at the same time to make her mother happy.
In the same way, a devotee who worships Devi Chandraghanta will be free of fears and will be protected by the Goddess.
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