Shardiya Navratri Day 3 & 4: Worship Maa Chandraghanta and Maa Kushmanda - Shubh muhurta, puja vidhi, mantra

On the auspicious occasion of Navratri, Goddess Durga is worshipped in her nine forms. Day 3 of the Navratri is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta. Today, October 9 (Saturday) is the third day of Navratri, however, this year, the Chaturthi tithi also falls on October 9. This means Day 4, which is dedicated to Maa Kushmanda, will also be observed today.

On Shardiya Navratri this year, the Tritiya and Chaturthi tithis are on the same day i.e. October 9. After 7.38 am, the Chaturthi tithi will begin.

Tritiya - Maa Chandraghanta:

The name means half-moon shaped like a bell. She is the married form of maa Parvati and started applying the half-moon after her marriage to Shiva. She represents courage and strength and protects her devotees from evil. She is the Rudra roop of maa Durga and has a third eye on her forehead. This violent incarnation is taken for the betterment of society. Maa Chandraghanta symbolizes peace, serenity, and prosperity, she establishes justice and gives Her devotees the courage and strength to fight challenges. Mounted on a tigress the goddess is dasabhuja or the one with ten hands. One of her hands remains in Abhayamudra or blessing posture.

Maa Chandraghanta: Puja Vidhi

Place the goddess idol on a chowki or table and bathe it with Kesar(Saffron), Gangaajal (holy water), and kewra (floral water). After this, dress the goddess in golden-colored clothes. Offer her yellow-colored flowers and lotus. The prasad should comprise sweets, panchamrit and mishri (rock sugar).

MANTRAS OF MAA CHANDRAGHANTA

ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥
Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah॥
 Stuti of Maa Chandraghanta 
 
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ चन्द्रघण्टा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Chandraghanta Rupena Samstita
Namastasyay Namastasyay Namastasyay Namo Namah

Chaturthi - Maa Kushmanda:

Kushmanda translates into the core of the sun; Ku (little), ushma (warmth) and (cosmic energy). She is mounted on a lion and has eight hands. It is believed that she has given birth to the universe with her divine smile, which was full of energy. She had wiped out darkness to spread light. The devotees worship her for good health and to get rid of illnesses. She is also called the goddess of Brahmand.

Worshipping Maa Kushmanda improves the ability to take decisions and enhances the intellect level. Her devotees gain strength to fight against ailments, troubles and hurdles of life. They get prosperity, happiness, power and salvation. They are blessed with good vision and mental strength.

The legend of Maa Kushmanda

It is said that the whole universe was full of darkness and Maa Kushmanda, with her silent smile produced a little cosmic egg. Darkness vanished by her divine smile. She gave light, life and created the universe. The earth, sun, stars, planets and all the galaxies came into existence. Goddess Kushmanda is the cause of light and energy so she resides in the core of the Sun. After creating the Universe, she created Gods, who afterwards created other living beings on the earth. 

Maa Kushmanda: Puja Vidhi

The ritual of worshipping maa Kushmanda starts with worshipping Lord Ganesha to pray for the strength to carry on the Navratri-vrat.  Offer shringar items (sindoor, mehendi, kajal, bindi, bangles, toe ring, comb, aalta, mirror, anklets, perfume, earrings, nosepin, necklace, red chunri, mahavar, hairpins etc)The prasad should be of malpuas, (Indian-sweet), halwa, or curd, which can be later on offered to the priests of a Durga temple.

MANTRAS OF MAA KUSHMANDA

ॐ देवी कूष्माण्डायै नमः॥
Om Devi Kushmandayai Namah॥
सुरासम्पूर्ण कलशं रुधिराप्लुतमेव च।
दधाना हस्तपद्माभ्यां कूष्माण्डा शुभदास्तु मे॥
Surasampurna Kalasham Rudhiraplutameva Cha।
Dadhana Hastapadmabhyam Kushmanda Shubhadastu Me॥
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ कूष्माण्डा रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Kushmanda Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥