Chaitra Navratri 2023 Day 3, Maa Chandraghanta Story:
Pindjpravararudha Chandkopastrakeryuta.
Prasad Tanute Mahay Chandraghanteti Vishruta ॥
The holy festival of Chaitra Navratri started on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. Nine different forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped during the nine days of Navratri. Along with Ghatasthapana, Maa Shailputri was worshipped on the first day of Navratri and Maa Brahmacharini on the second day. Now on the third day of Navratri, Friday, March 24, 2023, Maa Chandraghanta, the third power of Maa Durga, will be worshipped. The mantra of Maa Chandraghanta is-

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupen Sansthita. Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah ॥ Vande Vanchitlabhay Chandrardhakrit Shekharam. Sinharudha Chandraghanta Yashswinim ॥

Nature of Maa Chandraghanta
The form of Maa Chandraghanta is very auspicious and peaceful. The shape of a half moon is marked on their forehead, due to which they are called Chandraghanta. The colour of Maa Chandraghanta's body is bright like gold and she has 10 hands which are adorned with swords and other weapons. Mother Chandraghanta's posture riding on a lion is to stay ready for war. Worshiping them not only brings happiness and prosperity at home but also gives them freedom from diseases. All wishes are fulfilled by worshipping Maa Chandraghanta with mind, words, deeds and rules and regulations.

Story of Maa Chandraghanta
According to mythology, Maa Durga took the form of Maa Chandraghanta when the terror of the demons started increasing on heaven. Mahishasura's terror and fierce war was going on with the gods. Because Mahishasura wanted to get the throne of Devraj Indra and establish his supremacy over the heavenly world. When the gods came to know about this, everyone got upset and reached out to Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh.

The Tridevs listened to the deities and expressed their anger. It is said that due to this anger, energy came out from the mouth of the Tridevs and from that energy a goddess was born, whose name is Maa Chandraghanta. Lord Shankar gave his Trishul, Vishnuji his chakra, Indra his bell, and Surya his glory and sword and lion to that goddess. After this, mother Chandraghanta killed Mahishasura and protected the deities and heaven.