Chandraghanta Devi Puja Third Day of Navratri Chandra Ghanta Aarti

Third day of Navratri dedicated to Chandraghanta Devi chandraghanta, durga puja songs, durga puja in kolkata, DeviChandraghanta Ma is known and named Chandraghanta or Chandra-Khanda for the semi-circular moon (Chandra) which appears like a bell (Ghanta) on her forehead. Durga is also worshipped as Ashtamukhi and Shorashi in different parts of India on this day. She is depicted as having three eyes and ten hands holding with ten types of swords – etc. weapons and arrows etc. and is seated on a lion (in some photos on a tiger) and shown as ready for going to war. She is the image of bravery. The frightful sound of her bell terrifies all villains and demonic incarnations. She is also the giver of supreme knowledge and bliss and is depicted as having golden skin with the half circular moon on her forehead, glowing. Her ten hands hold……… She is worshipped in this form in Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) India.Srisailam Devasthanam also is a temple of Ma Chandraghanta.A very popular legend associated with Ma Chandraghanta is the story of Raja Harischandra her devotee.

|| Chandraghanta ||

Mantra to chant:

"Om sarva mangal mangalye shive sarvarath sadhike,Sharanye triambake gauri narayani namostute."

Chandraghanta devi sits on a tiger, and radiates a golden hue. She manifests ten hands and three eyes. Eight hands display weapons while the remaining two are giving blessings and protection. Special benediction: bliss, knowledge, peace and serenity, growtrh of all activities, purpose of life. She is worshiped in this form in Kanchipuram (Tamil Nadu) India. We see expansion of red energies with pink lightning flashes going directly to the spinal column to strengthen to all activities, activate root chakra (mooladhara); activating birth/growth of new activities; opening of the heart chakra begins. Semicircular spiral energies of navy blue create movement in the spiritual and material zone for all auspicious, karma-freeing work. As you pray and meditate, there will be a feeling of satisfaction as all solar plexus chakras are being freed from greed. Beautiful droplets of nectar are replacing the poison as the uncoiling serpents are sucking it away.o Offering: Three bananas in the morning, light a candle morning-evening, accept and share banana prasadam with others. Mentally offer all fragrant flowers, fruits, gems, clothing. Send all the negative thoughts to the center of the earth, as all energy today will bring power to the lower limbs. Remember to offer something to mother earth – milk, money, water, fertilizer.

Third Day Of Navratri Dedicated To Chandraghanta Devi Devi Chandraghanta Ma Is Known As ChandraKhand. Wallpaper of Goddess maa chandraghanta, Maa Chandraghanta, Chandraghanta Devi, Chandraghanta Mantra – Chandraghanta Navadurga-Third form of Maa Durga Worshiped on 3rd day Navratri-10th oct 2011

Saptamatrikas – Sapta Matrikas Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi, and Chamunda or Narasimhi

Saptamatrikas or Sapta Matrukas are a group of seven powerful Goddesses always depicted together in Hindu Scriptures. Goddesses – Brahmani, Vaishnavi, Maheshvari, Indrani, Kaumari, Varahi, and Chamunda or Narasimhi are known as Saptamatrikas. Sometimes they are also depicted as Ashtamatrikas. These Goddesses are worshipped for personal and spiritual rejuvenation. As per the Devi Purana, Matrikas are worshipped for power of ruling and mukti (salvation). Here is the brief description of each Saptamatrika / Ashtamatrika Goddess.

1. Goddess Brahmi or Brahmani
Brahmi is the Shakti (power) of Lord Brahma. She is depicted similar to Brahma but in female attire. Brahmi is also shown seated on lotus with her Hama vahanam (swan).

2. Goddess Vaishnavi
Vaishnavi is the Shakti of Lord Vishnu. She is depicted similar to Vishnu but in female attire. Vaishnavi is also shown seated on Garuda.

3. Goddess Maheshvari / Rudrani / Raudri / Maheshi
Maheshvari is the Shakti of Lord Shiva. She is depicted as having Jata mukuta (matted hair), Trinetra (three eyes), and adorned with Kapala (skull-bowl) and Serpent bracelet. She is shown seated on Nandi (bull).

4. Goddess Aindri / Indrani / Mahendri / Shakri / Vajri
Indrani Devi is the power of Lord Indra. She is depicted as having two or three or thousand eyes like Indra. Indrani is shown seated on elephant.

5. Goddess Kaumari / Kumari / Kartikeyani / Ambika
Kaumari Devi is the power of Lord Kartikeya or Kumara. Depicted with six heads like Lord Shanmukha (Skanda or Kumara), Kaumari rides a peacock.

6. Goddess Varahi / Vairali
Varahi Devi is the power of Lord Yama, the God of death. The boar-headed Goddess is depicted as holding Danda, Vajra, Chamara (a yak’s tail), and some other weapons.

7. Goddess Chamunda / Chamundi / Charchika
Chamunda is the power of Devi or Chandi. Appearance of the Goddess is similar to Kali mata. She is shown seated on a jackal.

8. Goddess Narasimhi
Narasimhi is the power of Lord Narasimha, the Lion-faced incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Sindhara Dooj, Brahmacharini Puja, Balatripura Sundari Puja, Maheshwari Puja, Tara Puja

Second day of Navratri – Sindhara Dooj, Brahmacharini Puja, Balatripura Sundari Puja, Maheshwari Puja, Tara Puja
Goddess Brahmacharini Mata - Second Navadurga

Second day of Navratri is known as Dwitiya Navratri Durga Puja or Sindhara Dooj. In 2011, second day during Navratri date is September 29^th. The Goddess to worship during the second day of Navaratras varies from place to place. Navdurga Goddesses, Dasa Mahavidya Shaktis, and Saptamatruka and Ashtamatruka Goddesses are worshipped in Navratri Puja. As a part of Navadurga Puja, Goddess Brahmacharini Puja is observed on the second day. Tara puja is celebrated as part of Dasamahavidya puja and in Saptamtrika worship, Maheshwari puja is observed.

Sri Bala Tripura Sundari Devi is worshipped in Vijayawada Kanakadurga Temple.

Second day of Navratri is also known as Sindhara Dooj in North Indian states. It is also celebrated as Preethi Dwitiya, Sowbhagya Dwitiya, or Sthanya Vriddhi Gauri Vratham in South Indian states. As part of Nine colours of Navratri 2011, on second day (October 9th), Grey colored dresses / sarees will be worn by devotees.

Goddess Chamundi Devi known as Rakta Chamundi

Goddess Chamundi Devi is one of the most popular forms of Goddess Durga. The origin of Goddess Chamundi is mentioned in the Devi Mahatmya and Markandeya Purana. While Goddess Durga was engaged in a battle with demons Chanda and Munda, Goddess Kali emerged from the forehead of Durga and killed Chanda and Munda. Pleased with Goddess Kali, Durga called her Chamundi.

There is another legend which says that Goddess Chamundi appeared to lap up the blood that fell from the body of demon Rakta Bija. The demon had received the boon that a drop of blood from this body that fell on the ground will produce thousands of demons of equal strength. In this form, she is known as Rakta Chamundi.

Puranas contains numerous details of Goddess Chamundi. One legend mentions that she is one among the seven forms of Shakti that came to help Shiva while he was a waging a battle with Andaka.

Goddess Chamundi symbolizes death, disaster, distress and destruction of Mother Nature.

Goddess Chamundi is kind and compassionate to her devotees who adhere to Dharma and therefore she is worshipped in many regions.

Goddess Chamundeshvari is the tutelary deity of numerous royal families in India – the most famous is that of the Wodeyar Kings of Mysore.

The form and the worship of Goddess Chamundi vary from region to region.

Navratri Trivia Navratras, Navaratri and Navarathri

Navratri is nine nights dedicated to Mother Goddess Shakti in Hindu Religion and in 2011 it will be observed from September 28, 2011 to October 5, 2011.
Navratri means nine nights.

The most popular Navratri is the one held during Ashwin Month (September – October). But there are also three other Navratris in a Hindu calendar year. The most famous among this is the Chaitra Navratri (March – April). The other two Navratris are Magh Navratri and Ashada Navratri.

A popular belief is that the Navratri during Ashwin month (September – October) was started by Sri Ram when he invoked Goddess Durga before going into battle with Ravan. Originally, Mother Goddess was invoked during the Chaitra Month (March – April)

Navratri is also written as Navratras, Navaratri and Navarathri.

The reason for observing Navratri is found in the Markandeya Purana. The chapters 81 to 93 in the Markandeya Purana talks about the slaying of demon Mahishasura or Mahisha by Durga and it is referred as Devimahatmya and is recited during the Navaratri. It symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Kolu Photo Contest 2011 during Navarathri by The Hindu

Bommai Kolu, or Bommala Koluvu, is the artistic display of dolls by women during Navarathri and Dusshera in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and among certain communities in Kerala. The Hindu newspaper is conducting a Kolu Photo Contest this Navratri – Kolu Kondattam. To participate all you need to do is to send a picture of the kolu you created in your home by September 30, 2011.
Winners will get cash prize and also will have their kolu pictures published in the Hindu.

You can download the registration form here from the Hindu newspaper.