Ashada Gupta Navratri Chandraghanta Puja 2026

Day Three of Ashadha Gupta Navratri: Chandraghanta Puja

On Ashadha Shukla Tadiya, the third day of Ashadha Gupta Navratri, devotees worship Chandraghanta, the third Navadurga. She is named for the bell-shaped half moon she wears on her forehead, and she is worshipped as the mother who grants both peace and courage.

Her Form

Devotees understand Chandraghanta as the form Parvati took after her marriage to Lord Shiva. Golden in colour, she has ten arms holding weapons such as the sword, trident, mace, bow and arrow, along with a lotus, japamala and kamandalu, and she rides a lion or tiger, ready for battle. The Puranas describe how the fierce sound of her bell drives demons away, while the same sound gives protection to her devotees. One power brings fear to the wicked and safety to the good.

Pindajapravararudha chandakopastrakairyuta | Prasadam tanute mahyam Chandraghanteti vishruta ||

Puja on Tadiya

• After bathing, bow to the Kalasha and the lamp and take a sankalpam.
• Ringing the puja bell at the start is considered especially meaningful today; its sound is believed to clear negativity from the home.
• Offer red and yellow flowers and chant "Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namaha".
• Many families offer milk, milk payasam or ksheerannam as naivedyam.
• After the puja, share the milk or payasam with children and those in need.

Things to Do on This Day

In the evening, sit quietly before the lamp and meditate for a while. Since Chandraghanta's sound is believed to calm a restless mind, some devotees chant Omkara or sing the names of the Devi. In Ashadha, newly married women traditionally stay at their parents' homes, so many daughters join this puja in their mother's house. Some families also give turmeric, kumkum and gorintaku to married women.

Blessings of the Day

Devotees believe worshipping Chandraghanta removes fear and anxiety, brings courage and calm, and keeps negative influences away from the home. Her form teaches that courage and peace are not opposites; life is balanced when both are present together.

May the sound of Mother Chandraghanta's bell fill our minds with peace.