Maa Chandraghanta
NEW DELHI: Shardiya Navratri Day 3 will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, and is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of Goddess Durga. She is a symbol of courage, strength and protection. We all face moments when standing up for ourselves feels difficult. Sometimes, we remain quiet to avoid an argument. Sometimes, we keep forgiving people because they matter to us, even when their words or actions hurt us. Maa Chandraghanta’s story teaches us an important lesson for everyday life: being kind does not always mean letting your happiness go/allowing others to hurt us.
According to Hindu beliefs, Maa Parvati took the form of Maa Chandraghanta after her marriage to Lord Shiva. Maa Chandraghanta is shown riding a tiger, with ten hands holding different weapons and a crescent moon on her forehead that looks like a bell. Her form reminds us that we can be strong and brave while still keeping peace in our hearts.
The weapons in her hands show that she is always ready to fight evil and protect the innocent. At the same time, her peaceful form reminds devotees to stay calm and brave during difficult times. Devotees believe that praying to Maa Chandraghanta helps them overcome fear and face life’s challenges with courage.
Maa is offered kheer, milk and other milk-based sweets on Navratri Day 3. These offerings should be made with devotion to seek the goddess’s blessings for happiness, peace and prosperity. However, traditions may vary across regions and households.
The colour for the third day of Shardiya Navratri 2026, falling on Tuesday, October 13, is red. It is associated with strength, energy and courage. Devotees can wear red clothes during puja as part of the day’s tradition, although it is not compulsory.
Maa Chandraghanta Mantra (Navratri Day 3)
ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥
Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah.
It simply means, I bow to Goddess Chandraghanta and seek her blessings for courage, peace, strength and protection.
Devotees should chant this mantra to seek Maa Chandraghanta’s blessings to overcome fear, face challenges with confidence and maintain peace of mind.
In today’s world, kindness is sometimes mistaken for weakness. People who speak softly may be taken for granted, while those who avoid arguments may be expected to tolerate unfair treatment. Maa Chandraghanta’s story reminds us that we can remain kind without allowing others to disrespect us.
Sometimes, we forgive people because we love them, even when they hurt us again and again. We stay silent to keep relationships peaceful, even when something inside us is breaking. But her story reminds us that being kind does not mean forgetting our own worth. We can forgive someone and still keep our distance. We can love people and still set boundaries. And we can choose peace without accepting everything that takes away our dignity.
As mentioned above, her teachings also remind us to stand beside those who feel alone. When someone is being bullied, treated unfairly or judged without being given a chance to explain, even a few words of support can mean the world to them. Sometimes, the courage to speak up for someone else can give them the strength they have been struggling to find. And courage does not always look like fighting back. Sometimes, it is saying no when everyone expects you to say yes. Sometimes, it is walking away from a relationship that leaves you feeling small. Sometimes, it is accepting that you made a mistake, forgiving yourself and finding the courage to start again.
Maa Chandraghanta teaches us that we can have a soft heart without allowing the world to break us. We do not have to become harsh to become strong. We only need to remember that our kindness deserves respect, our silence should be a choice, and our peace is worth protecting.
The story of Maa Chandraghanta gives us courage so that we do not have to choose between having a kind heart and a strong voice. We can be gentle without being helpless, humble without losing our self-respect and forgiving without accepting repeated hurt.
Life will not always be peaceful. There may be times when we feel afraid, misunderstood or powerless. During such moments, the message of Maa Chandraghanta encourages us to trust ourselves, hold on to our values and find the courage to face what lies ahead. As devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta on the third day of Navratri, her story offers a simple but meaningful lesson for everyone: choose kindness, protect your peace and never be afraid to stand up for what is right.
