Goddess Chandraghanta: Third Form Of Goddess Durga

Third day of navratri is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of Goddess Durga or Maa Shakti. It has been believed that individuals who worship Goddess Chandraghanta get the blessings of the divine power to stay happy throughout their life.

Devi Chandraghanta is said to bless her devotees with knowledge, supreme bliss, peace and serenity. It has been believed that the individuals who worship third form of Maa Shakti get over all kind of sadness and sorrows in their life. Third day of the Navaratri festival is considered as very significant day, as it has been said that on this day mind of the true devotees of Goddess Durga enters into the Manipura Chakra, which helps them to see divine and unearthly things due to grace of Goddess Chandraghnata.

It has also been believed that worshiping Goddess Chandraghnta, on this day helps in washes all sins of an individual and Maa Shakti blesses her devotes by removing all obstacles for their life. Many people believe that the individual who worship this divine power becomes fearless in their life similar to the lion, which is referred as vehicle of Maa Chandraghanta. Worshiping the third form of Goddess Durga gives an instant result. 

Brahmacharini - Second Form Of Goddess Durga

Festival of nine days, Navaratri is one of the most popular and scared festivals of Hindu culture or tradition, which is dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine different forms. Each day of this festival is dedicated to one form of Mother Goddess. The second day of Navaratri has been referred as a day of Goddess Brahmacharini in various Hindu mythological books. The word ‘Brahma’ refers to meditative aspect of the Brahmacharini and represents Sannyasin or the pious women. 

This form of Goddess Durga has two arms in which she carries water pot and a rosary. On the second day of Navaratri, in some part of the north India as well as western region of country, devotes of Goddess Durga worship Goddess Chamunda and Goddess Tara on this day. Goddess Chamuda is the one who killed the demons called Chanda and the Munda. However, in some part of country first three days of this festival is dedicated to Goddess Durga.

The second form of Goddess Durga is associated to the pious form of Maa Shakti. She is considered as the form of Maa Durga who represents the Goddess Parvati as well as Goddess Sati, who did intense austerities for many years to get the Lord Shiva as her husband.  

First Avatar Of Goddess Durga

Navratri festival is one of the most popular festivals in Hindu culture and this year it is starting from 16^th October in year 2012. The festival is celebrated across the country with lot of faith and believes in Goddess Durga since ages. Although, in different parts of the country, celebration takes place in various forms but still the main believe behind this festival is to worship Goddess Durga and her different nine avatars.

The festival of Navratri starts with the Lalash Sthapna or the Ghata Sthapana at various puja mandals as well as at various houses also. The first day of Navratra is dedicated to the first avatar of Goddess Durga – Mata Shailputri.

In various mythological books it has been said that the Mata Shailputri, daughter of mountain king Himvantha is the first among all the nine avatar of Goddess Durga. Hence, first day of navratri is dedicated to Goddess Shailputri. Mata Shailputri is also commonly referred as Mata Parvati, who is married to Lord Shiva. In her previous birth she was referred as Sati Bhavani Mata, the daughter of King Daksha. Devotees of Goddess Durga worship Mata Parvati on the very first day of Navratri festival. Trisula is considered as a weapon of Mata Shailputri that she holds in her right hand, whereas in her left hand she holds a lotus flower. Bull is considered as a vehicle. The blissful looks and pleasant smile describes the appearance of Mata Shailputri.

Various Ways To Keep Navaratri Fast

Navaratri is one of the most popular festivals in Hindu tradition. It has been considered as the festival of power, happiness and prosperity. There are many individuals who keep nine days fast during Navaratri, where as some keep a partial fast during this time and abstain themselves from the non-vegetarian foods as well as alcohol. This year, the festival is starting from 16^th October and it will end on 24^th October.

The festival is basically dedicated to the Goddess Durga, whereas in some part of South India the festival is dedicated to the Goddess Saraswati. In the mythological books of Hindu, it has been said that the significance of Navaratri fast was actually narrated by the Goddess Durga itself to one of her favorite devotee.

There are many people who keep complete fast during nine days of Navaratri and do worship Goddess Durga in the form of kalash or idol, in the morning. There are some people who stay on just fruits and milk for entire nine days and some just take one meal in a day during this Navaratri period. There is strict rule that one needs to follow to worship Mother Goddess. One can perform the rituals as per their capacity and believe to seek the blessings of the Goddess Durga.

Why We Celebrate Navaratri Festival?

Navaratri is a celebration or festival of nine days. It is one of the most popular festivals of Hindu culture that is celebrated with huge faith in order to worship the nine manifestation of the Goddess Durga. The literal meaning of Navaratri is nine nights, which celebrated in various forms in different parts of country. However, this festival is celebrated with a belief of victory of good or truth on evil. It is also considered as a time to worship Goddess or the Shakti Durga and to get her blessings. This festival also indicates the arrival of the winter season, during which the nature goes through various changes.

The festival starts on first day of the Ashvin and ends on the ninth day of the same month. However, the tenth day of the festival is celebrated as the Vijaya Dashami or the Dasara. It has been believed that the Goddess Durga killed the demon with buffalo head, Mahishasura on the tenth day after fighting for nine days with the demon.

The believer of the Goddess, worship the nine forms of the Shakti to her blessings and to enhance their wealth, prosperity, knowledge as well as auspiciousness.