Chandraghanta is the third form of Goddess Durga (Parvati). Chandra means “Moon,” and Ghanta means “bell.” Her forehead is covered with a crescent moon. Her third eye is always open, and she is always ready for war against demons”. She is also recognized as Chandika, Chandrakhanda or Rannchandi. She is worshipped on the third day of Navaratri. Her bravery, grace and courage are unmatchable. By her blessings, all the distresses, sins, mental tribulations, physical sufferings, and ghostly hurdles are eradicated.
History of Maa Chandraghanta
When Shiva and Parvati were getting married, her marriage procession consisted of sages, ghosts and Aghoris. Parvati’s relatives and mother were in a state of shock and wanted her to rethink the wedding.
To avoid any discomfort to Lord Shiva, Parvati transformed herself into Chandraghanta.
In this avatar, her complexion was gold, and she had ten arms. In nine of her arms, she had the following weapons – a mace, arrow, trident, sword, lotus, goad, bell and a water pot, while with the tenth hand, she blessed her devotees. Her vehicle was a lion. This represents that Adi Shakti can be frightening towards demons while being motherly and compassionate towards her devotees.
In the form of Chandraghanta, she appealed and urged Shiva to take the form of a prince and transform his marriage procession. Shiva thus reappeared as a charming prince adorned with many jewels. Shiva and Parvati’s marriage was observed as per rituals.
Significance of the name
Chandra also represents different emotions and thought process (similar to different faces of the moon from full moon to new moon)
Ghanta means a bell from which only one kind of muse arises. It is impossible to hear random sounds from the bell. No matter how you play it, only one type of sound comes from the bell. Similarly, when the mind that is disseminated and trapped in different thoughts and emotions gets packed and installed at one point (in the Divine), it gives rise to the spiritual energy within us. This is what is meant by Chandraghanta. Her name literally means The bell of the moon.
