Navratri 2023 Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta Puja, Colour, Shubh Muhurat, Mantra, and Bhog

Navratri has begun and the atmosphere is infused with a sense of devotion and festive excitement. The festival honours Maa Durga in nine different forms, and Day 3 or Tritiya, is devoted to worshipping Goddess Chandraghanta who stands for beauty and bravery. The goddess emerges from the tigress. She is often depicted with a crescent moon on her forehead, resembling a bell. She is associated with the colour red, which represents vitality, fervour, courage and strength.

Navratri Day 3: Date

The third day of Shardiya Navratri is being celebrated today on Tuesday, October 17. This day markes the Tritiya tithi of the Shukla Paksha, according to the Panchang.

Navratri Day 3: Puja Vidhi, Mantra, Shubh Muhurat

On Day 3 of Navratri, it is suggested that devotees wake up early, take a bath, and wear clean attire. They can place the goddess’s idol on a platform or in their puja room, and cleanse it with Kesar, Ganga Jal, and Kewra. The goddess can then be adorned in her traditional attire and offered yellow flowers, jasmine, panchamrit, and mishri.

Before commencing any ritual, check the auspicious muhurats for the day:

• Brahma Muhurat is set from 4:42 AM to 5:33 AM.
• Abhijit Muhurat will be observed around 11:43 AM to 12:29 PM.
• Pratah Sandhya is scheduled between 5:08 AM and 6:23 AM.
• Amrit Kalam is expected from 11:23 AM to 1:02 PM

Navratri Day 3 Colour

Red is the colour of Goddess Chandraghanta, who is worshiped on the third day of Navratri. She is depicted as a warrior goddess riding a tiger, with ten arms and carrying various weapons. She wears red clothes and has a crescent moon on her forehead.

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Red is also a colour is associated with energy, vitality, and strength. It is a color that can inspire people to take action and achieve their goals. Wearing red on Navratri Day 3 is believed to invoke the blessings of Goddess Chandraghanta and bring good fortune and success.

Navratri Day 3 Mantras

• Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥
• Pindaja Pravararudha Chandakopastrakairyuta। Prasadam Tanute Mahyam Chandraghanteti Vishruta॥
• Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samsthita।Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥

Navratri Day 3: Bhog

During Navratri, Bhog refers to the food offerings made to the Goddess and later distributed as prasad among the devotees. The type of Bhog offered on Day 3 may vary from region to region, but it usually consists of vegetarian dishes, often prepared without onion and garlic, as it is considered pure and sattvic (pure and balanced). Some common Bhog items on this day might include:

1. KheerA sweet rice pudding made with rice, milk, sugar, and flavored with cardamom and saffron.
2. PuriFried bread made from wheat flour, usually served with a potato curry (aloo sabzi).
3. Sabudana KhichdiA dish made from soaked and cooked tapioca pearls, often seasoned with cumin and other spices.
4. Paneer DishesMany people prepare dishes with paneer (cottage cheese) to offer as Bhog.
5. FruitsEven red fruits like pomegranates are offered.

Navratri Day 3: Significance

According to beliefs, Goddess Parvati started wearing a half-moon on her forehead upon her marriage to Lord Shiva. As Chandraghanta, she possesses a Trishul, Gada, Sword, and Kamandal in her four left hands, while her fifth left-hand takes the Varada Mudra. In her four right hands, she carries a lotus flower, an arrow, a Dhanush, and a Japa Mala, and in her fifth right hand, she maintains the Abhaya Mudra.

Goddess Chandraghanta is perceived as a serene deity dedicated to the welfare of her devotees. She is also recognised as fully prepared for combat. Goddess Chandraghanta is also thought to be fully equipped for battle. The moonbell on her brow is said to drive all kinds of spirits away from her devotees.