On day 3, Mā Durgā’s manifestation as Chandraghantā is worshipped. Chandraghantā means “one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell”. Her third eye is always open, signifying her perpetual readiness for battle against evil. She is believed to reward people with her grace, bravery, and courage. She establishes justice and discipline.
Chandraghanta is the married form of the Goddess Pārvati. After getting married to Bhagwān Śiva, Pārvati started adorning her forehead with half Chandra, due to which Pārvati was known as Goddess Chandraghanta
Devi Sati was born again as Pārvati and observed severe penance to marry Bhagwān Śiva. Due to her continued dedication, she came to be known as Brahmacāriṇī and Bhagwān Śiva agreed to marry her.
The marriage preparations were in full swing and everyone was happy for Bhagwān Śiva and Mā Pārvati. However, on the day of their marriage, Śiva ji arrived with a huge, but strange marriage procession. Ghosts, sages, goblins, ghouls, aghoris, and ascetics were all part of this unusual marriage procession. Śiva ji, himself, had multiple snakes around his neck and his whole body was smeared with ash. Śiva ji had snakes in his hair too, which gave him a scary and horrifying look. Mā Pārvati relatives were left shocked upon seeing such a terrifying form of Bhagwān Śiva and almost everyone fainted out of pure horror.
Mā Pārvati got worried and feared that her family and Bhagwān Śiva would be highly embarrassed because of this situation. So, she immediately transformed herself into a terrorizing avatar – Chandraghantā.
This was a frightening sight and she looked as terrifying as Śiva ji. Mā Chandraghantā’s complexion turned golden and she now had ten arms. She used her tenth arm to bless her devotees, while the other nine arms carried a specific object or weapon.
She carried a Triśula (Trident) in two hands, a Kamanḍalu (Watering Pot), a Gada (Mace), a bow and arrow, a sword, a Ghanta (Bell), and a Kamala (Lotus) in each of other hands.
In this terrifying form, Mā Chandraghantā approached Śiva and convinced him to take a noble form. Śiva agreed and transformed himself into a handsome prince. He was now bedecked with beautiful jewels and ornaments.
Finally, Śiva and Mā Pārvati’s marriage took place with all the prayers and rituals. Their marriage was celebrated all over the world and is observed as Mahā Śivarātri.
Mā Chandraghantā’s vehicle is a lion. This avatar of Mā Durgā shows that she can be both – compassionate towards her devotees and terrifying towards her enemies
She is known to bless her devotees with divine grace and fearlessness. Mā Chandraghantā is one of the most powerful forms of Goddess Durgā and is also known to offer relief from suffering and distress.
