Indian Festivals

Maa Chandraghanta

The third day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta who is the embodiment of beauty and bravery. She appears with ten hands and three eyes. In her five hands, she holds weapons, like bow, arrow, trishul (lance), sword, and mace. Another three hands carry rosary, lotus, and kamandal (pitcher), and the remaining two hands shows Varada and Abhaya mudras (gesture) blessing her devotees. Half moon (chandra) adores her on her forehead in the shape of a bell (ghanta). Riding on a lion and radiating golden hue, she gives a gorgeous looks.

One unique element of her appearance is that that she always looks ready to go to war; still her face has got serene effect, like cool breeze in a moonlit night.

She is worshipped for bliss, knowledge, peace and serenity, growth of all activities, purpose of life. As she is always in a ready gesture, she provides instant benefits to the worshippers. When you invoke her, the sound of her bell will protect you from evil spirits and her lion will make you brave and fearless like him.

Chandraghanta devi is associated with Manipura Chakra. When you concentrate on Manipura Chakra, you become capable of seeing unearthly and divine things, smelling divine fragrances, and hearing divine sounds. On this day, the sadhak (striver) needs to be very careful. One unique quality of Devi Chandraghanta’s blessing is that she helps the sadhak to cultivate bravery and fearlessness in him along with serenity and humility.

Navratri Tithi

In Chaiti Navratri 2019, Maa Chandraghanta will be worshipped on 8th April, the third day of Navratri. The day changes according to lunar calendar.

 

Brief Legend

Maa Chandraghanta is one who establishes justice and wears crescent moon on her head. Because of this bell-shaped mark of moon which is present on the forehead, she is known as Chandraghanta.

 

Customs and Traditions

 

Navratri Pooja is very simple. You should observe fast whole day or have fruits or juice in day and eat pure vegetarian food in night. If no way fasting is possible, simply chant the following mantra as much as you can:

 

"Om Ang Haring Kalimg Shreeng Maha Durgay Namah”

 

During Navratri, you should be careful about your aahar (food), vyavhar (behavior), and aacharan (character); eat pure vegetarian food, like fruits, Kuttu ka aataa, Shinghare ka aataa, curd or potatoes - strictly avoid non-vegetarian food. Consumption of garlic and onion is also not recommended. Navratri is celebrated in the honour of female form of God. Hence, during these days, you should also worship only goddesses with spiritual emotion (bhaav).

 

Offer three bananas to Chandraghanta Mata in the morning, light and a deep (lamp) in morning and evening, and accept and share the banana-prasad with others. You can also offer all the fragrant flowers, fruits, gems, and clothing to her.

As the energy today will bring power to your lower limbs, so you should send all your negative thoughts to the center of the earth. You must not forget to offer something, like milk, money, water, fertilizer and others to the mother earth.

 

Maa Chandraghanta Pooja Vidhi with Mantras

 

Pooja items

 

- Picture or image of Maa Chandraghanta

- Durga Sapthashati book, Devi’s armour

- Water in a kalash, mango leaves, coconut

- Roli, moli, chawal, paan, beetle nut.

- Cloves, cardamom, sindoor, abhir, gulal

- Dhoop, deepak, matchsticks

- Flowers white or pink, such as hibiscus, lotus, roses and belpatr leaves

- Fruits of five types such as pomegranate and sweets such as laddoo and peda

- Panchpatra containing spoon and water, pata, mat to sit (Aasan)

 

Panchamrit Preparation

 

Take a little raw cow milk and mix small amount of curd, shakkar, honey, and ghee in it.

 

Wash the place of pooja with water and gangajal. Place some grains of wheat on a beetle leaf, put on the ground and place water-filled on kalash on it. Insert five joined mango leaves in the kalash and, then, place a coconut on it. Tie moli in the kalash-neck. Light up a Deepak there and keep it lit till the pooja lasts. Light up some dhoop too there.

 

Place Maa Chandraghantaon a beetle leaf in front of you. Concentrate your mind on Maa Chandraghanta with the following mantra:

 

Prindajapra vararoodhaa chandakopastha kairyutha!

Prasadam thanuthe mahyum Chandraghantethi vishrutha!!

 

 

Now, worship her step by step chanting the following mantras:

 

1.   Atma-pooja 

Perform ‘Atma-pooja’ for self-purification with the following mantra

Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gatoapi Va,

Yah Smrait Pundarika Aksham Sa Vahy Abhyantarah Shuchih

Meaning: whoever contemplates on Vishnu gets purified physically and mentally.

2.    Tilak and Aachman

Tilak is considered auspicious mark and Aachman is considered helping washing off sins committed by action, thought, and speech.

Apply Tilak on your forehead and do ‘Aachman’ (drinking of holy water after accepting it in your palm) with the following mantra:

Om Keshavaya Namah, Om Narayanaya Namah, Om Madhavaya Namah, Om Govindaya Namah

Meaning: I bow to thee Keshav, I bow to thee Narayan, I bow to thee Madhav, I bow to thee Govind.

3.   Sankalpa

To achieve the purpose of the pooja, do sankalpa (resolve) by taking a little water in hand and saying your wish in whispering voice to Maa Chandraghanta.

4.   Aawahan

Pray to invite Maa Chandraghanta with the following mantra:

Aagachha Tvam Mahadevi ! Sthane Chatra Sthira Bhav. Yavata Pujaam Karisyami Tavata Tvam Snidho Bhav.

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha. shailaputri devimaawahayami. Aawahanartheye Pushpaanjali Samarpayami.

(Offer flowers at the feet of Maa Chandraghanta)

5.   Aasan

After Dhyan and Mantras, Pray and offer:

Om sarvmangal mangaleye shivesarvaarth sadhike, Sharneye Traymbake gauri Narayani Namostute.

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha. Aasanarthey Pushpani Samarpayami.

(Offer flowers)

6.   Paadha

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha. Padayoh Paadham Samarpayami.

(Offer water to Mother’s Shri Charan)

7.   Arghya

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha. Hastyoh Arghya Samarpayami.

(Offer Chandan,Pushpa and Akshat mixed water)

8.   Aachman

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha. Aachamanam Samarpayami.

(Offer Karpoor mixed water)

9.   Snan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Snanartham Jalam Samarpayami.

(Offer GangaJal for Bath)

Snananga Aachaman Snanantey Punrachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami.

(Offer water for aachman)

10.  Dugdha Snan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha DugdhaSnanam Samarpayami.

(Offer Cow-milk for Bath)

11.  Dadhi Snan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha DadhiSnanam Samarpayami.

(Offer curd made from cow milk for bath)

12.  Ghrit Snan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha GhritSnanam Samarpayami.

(Offer Gou-Ghee for Bath)

13.  Madhu Snan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha MadhuSnanam Samarpayami.

(Offer Honey for Bath)

14.  Sharkara Snan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha SharkaraSnanam Samarpayami.

(Offer sugar for Bath)

15.  Panchaamrit Snan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha PanchaamritSnanam Samarpayami.

(Offer Panchaamrit for Bath)

16.  Gandhodak Snan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha GandhodakSnanam Samarpayami.

(Offer MalayaChandan and Agaru mixed water for Bath)

17.  Shudhodak Snan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha ShudhodakSnanam Samarpayami.

(Offer holy water for final bath)

18.  Aachman

ShudhodakSnanante Aachamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami.

(Offer water for Aachaman)

19.  Vastra

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Vastropavastram Kanchukiyam ch Samarpayami.

(Offer saree or moli)

20.  Aachman: Vastranante Aachamaniym jalam Samarpayami

 

21.  Shobhagya Sutra

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha ShobhagyaSutram Samarpayami.

22.  Chandan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Chandanam Samarpayami.

23.  Haridrachurna

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Haridraam Samarpayami.

24.  Kumkum

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Kumkumam Samarpayami.

25.  Sindoor

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Sindooram Samarpayami.

26.  Kajal

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Kajjalm Samarpayami.

27.  Durvankur (Durva)

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Durvankuraan Samarpayami.

28.  BilvaPatra

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha BilvaPatram Samarpayami.

29.  Abhushan

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Abhushnaani Samarpayami.

30.  Pushpamala

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Pushpamalam Samarpayami.

31.  Nanaparimaldraviya (dravya or paisa)

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha NanaparimalDraviyaani Samarpayami.

32.  Shobhagya Patika

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Shobhagyapatikam Samarpayami.

33.  Dhoop

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Dhoopmaaghrapayami.

34.  Deep

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Deepam Darshyami.

(Show deep to mother and wash your hand)

35.  Naibaidha

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Naibaidham Nivedyami.

Aachman: offer aachaman

36.  Rituphal

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Rituphalani Samarpayami.

37.  Tammbul (paan)

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Tammbulam Samarpayami.

38.  Dakshina

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Dakshinaam Samarpayami.

39.  Aarti (karpoor and bati)

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Karpooraratirkyam Samarpayami.

 

Maa Chandraghanta/ Aadya Shakti aarti

Jaya aadya shakti, ma jaya aadya shakti

Akhand brhamand dipavya, panave pragatya ma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Dwitiya mehsarup shivshakti janu, ma shivshakti janu

Brahma ganapti gaye, brahma ganapti gaye

Hardayi har ma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Trutiya tran sarup tribhuvan ma betha, ma tribhuvan ma betha

Daya thaki karveli, daya thaki karveli

Utarvenima

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Chouthe chatura malaxmi ma, sachrachal vyapya

Char bhuja cho disha, char bhuja cho disha

Pragtya dakshin ma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Panchame panchrushi panchami gunpadma, ma panchami gunpadma

Panchtatv tya soshiye, panchtatv tya soshiye

Panchetatvo ma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Shashthi tu narayani mahishasur maryo, ma mahishasur maryo

Narnari na rupe, narnari na rupe

Vyapaya saghale ma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Saptami sapt patal sandhya savitri, ma sandhya savitri

Gau ganga gayatri, gau ganga gayatri

Gauri geeta ma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Ashthmi ashtha bhujao ayi ananda, ma ayi ananda

Sunivar munivar janamya, sunivar munivar janamya

Dev daityoma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Navmi navkul nag seve navadurga, ma seve navadurga

Navratri na pujan, shivratri na archan

Kidha har brahma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Dashmi dash avtaar jay vijyalaxmi, ma jay vijyalaxmi

Rame ravan marya, rame ravan marya

Ravan maryo ma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Ekadashi agiyar tatyanikama, ma tatyanikama

Kaldurga kalika, kaldurga kalika

Shama ne vama

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Barase kala rup bahuchar amba ma, ma bahuchar amba ma

Asur bhairav souie, kal bhairav soiye

Tara chhe tuj ma

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Terase tulja rup tu tarunimata, ma tu tarunimata

Brahma vishnu sadashiv, brahma vishnu sadashiv

Gun tara gata

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

 

Shivbhakti ni aarati je koi gaye, ma je koi gaye

Bhane shivannad swami, bhane shivannad swami

Sukh sampati pashe,

Har kaileshe jashe

Ma amba dukh harashe

Om jayo jayo ma jagdambe

40.  Pradikshna (parikarma)

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Pradikshnaanm Samarpayami.

41.  Mantrapushpanjali

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Mantrapushpanjalim Samarpayami

42.  Namaskar

Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shanti rupena sansitha
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, shakti rupena sansthita
Ya devi sarva bhutesu, matra rupena sansthita
Namastasyai, namastasyai, namastasyai, namo namaha !

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha Namaskaraan Samarpayami.

43.  Kshma Yachna

Aawahanam Na Jaanami Na jaanami Tav archanam, Pujaam ch na jaanami Kshamattam Parameshwari.

Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshwari, Yattpujitam Maya Devi Paripuranm Tadastu me.

Shri Jagadambaye Chandraghanta Devye Namha KshamaYachanam Samarpayami

44.  Arpna

Aum Tattsad Brahmarpanmastu,

Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh, Vishnave Namh.

!! OM Chandraghanta Chandi Rakhsa Karo !!

!! OM Bhayaharini Maiya Rakhsa Karo !!

!! OM Nav Durga Namah !!

!! OM Jag-Jana-ni Namah !!