On the third night, Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped. Her name comes from the half-moon (chandra) shaped like a bell (ghanta) on her forehead. This is Parvati as a bride: she took this form on her wedding to Shiva, and it unites grace and courage — calm towards her devotees, fierce towards anything that threatens them.
How she is shown
She rides a tiger (in some traditions, a lion), has ten arms holding weapons such as a trident, mace, sword, bow and arrow, and lotus, and her skin glows golden. The sound of her bell is said to drive away negative forces.
What the third night means
Chandraghanta stands for bravery, serenity and readiness — being at peace while being prepared. Devotees pray to her to be free of fear.
Offering and prayers
Milk and sweets made from milk, such as kheer, are offered to her. Her mantra is “Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah”.
What to wear on the third night
Many families follow a colour for each day of Navratri — the order changes each year with the weekday on which the festival begins, so check the list for this year. Whatever the colour, choose something you can sit, pray and dance in: light cotton or chanderi kurta sets, a dupatta for the puja, and a little mirror work or gota for the evening garba.
Explore the Navratri edit, and read about all nine nights in our Navratri guide.
Jai Mata Di.
