Navratri Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta (चंद्रघंटा), Story, Mantra & Puja
27 September 2026 · World of Hindus
On day 3 of Navratri, the Tritiya tithi, devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta (माँ चंद्रघंटा), the third of the nine forms of Goddess Durga. In 2026 her day falls on Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
| Date | Tuesday, 13 October 2026 |
| Tithi | Ashwin Shukla Tritiya |
| Mantra | ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः (Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah) |
| Bhog | Milk, and sweets or kheer made with milk |
| Chakra | Manipura (solar plexus) |
The story of Maa Chandraghanta
Chandraghanta is the form Parvati took for her marriage to Shiva. When Shiva arrived at King Himavan’s palace for the wedding, he came as he always is: with ash on his body, snakes around his neck and a procession of ghosts and goblins. Parvati’s mother Mena fainted at the sight.
To protect her family and bring calm, Parvati took this radiant, fearless form, with the moon-bell on her forehead. Then she gently asked Shiva to appear in a gentler form, and he came as the handsome Chandrashekhar for the wedding. The sound of her bell is said to drive away every evil spirit, which is why devotees ring bells in her puja.
Her form and what it means
A half-moon shaped like a bell (chandra + ghanta) adorns her forehead. She rides a tiger (or lion) and has ten arms holding the trident, mace, sword, bow and arrow, lotus and more, with one hand raised in blessing. Her colour is golden.
Day three is about courage with grace: being fearless without losing your calm. Chandraghanta is worshipped for protection, peace in the home, and freedom from anxiety.
Dhyana mantra
पिण्डजप्रवरारूढा चण्डकोपास्त्रकैर्युता।
प्रसादं तनुते मह्यं चन्द्रघण्टेति विश्रुता॥May she who is famed as Chandraghanta, who rides the great tiger and bears fierce weapons, bestow her grace on me.
How to worship Maa Chandraghanta on day 3
- Bathe early, wear clean clothes, and sit before the kalash and the goddess’s picture.
- Offer water to the kalash, and fresh flowers, kumkum and akshat to the goddess.
- Light the diya (or tend the akhand jyoti) and incense.
- Offer her bhog: milk, and sweets or kheer made with milk.
- Chant ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः 108 times, and recite the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
- Sing the aarti “Jai Ambe Gauri” and share the prasad with your family.
The nine days
← Day 2: Maa Brahmacharini · Day 4: Maa Kushmanda →
See all nine days, the dates, Ghatasthapana and fasting rules in our Navratri 2026 guide.
Artwork: the goddess riding a lion, chromolithograph, Wellcome Collection, CC BY 4.0.
Frequently asked questions
What is the mantra for Maa Chandraghanta?
The short mantra is ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः (Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah), chanted 108 times on a mala during her puja on day 3 of Navratri.
Which goddess is worshipped on the third day of Navratri?
Maa Chandraghanta, the married form of Parvati with a half-moon bell on her forehead, is worshipped on Tritiya, the third day. In 2026 it falls on Tuesday, 13 October.
Why is a bell rung in Chandraghanta puja?
Her name means 'the one with the moon-bell', and the sound of her bell is believed to drive away negativity and fear. Ringing a bell during her aarti invokes that protection.