What do you actually want to ask the Mother for? On Tuesday, 13 October, the Tritiya (third lunar day) of Sharad Navratri 2026, the worship of Chandraghanta takes on greater meaning when your prayer is specific and your devotion steady.
What the third day is said to bring
Tradition links the worship of Chandraghanta with domestic bliss, beauty, and the fulfilment of deep wishes. Domestic happiness, grace in appearance, and the wishes tucked quietly inside the mind are all placed before her. She is approached as the one who fulfils her devotees’ wishes and grants fame, courage, and victory. The aspect of courage is worth holding on to, because her form is about facing fear, not escaping it.
Four mantras and one seed sound
Begin with the basic mantra, a simple salutation to the Mother.ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः।Meaning: I bow to Mother Chandraghanta.Next comes the beej mantra (a seed-syllable mantra), which salutes the Adishakti Goddess, the primordial power believed to bestow knowledge, wisdom, wealth, and prosperity.ऐं श्रीं शक्त्यै नमः।Meaning: I bow to the Adishakti Goddess, who bestows knowledge, wisdom, wealth, and prosperity.You can also chant the stuti (a verse of praise), which recognises her presence in all living beings in the form of Chandraghanta and repeats the salutation.या देवी सर्वभूतेषु चन्द्रघण्टा रूपेण संस्थिता।नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥Meaning: I salute the Goddess who is present in all living beings in the form of Mother Chandraghanta. I salute her again and again.For descriptive meditation, the dhyana mantra praises her form and the blessings she bestows.वन्दे वाञ्छितलाभाय चन्द्रार्धकृतशेखराम्।सिंहारूढां त्रिनेत्रां च चन्द्रघण्टां यशस्विनीम्॥Meaning: I salute Maa Chandraghanta, who fulfils the wishes of her devotees, wears a crescent moon on her head, rides a lion, has three eyes, and grants fame, courage, and victory to her devotees.For advanced practitioners in the Tantra Yoga tradition, the seed mantra is ॐ रं (Om Ram).
Venus and the solar plexus
In astrological tradition, the Goddess is linked with Venus. Venus is associated with domesticity, beauty, and married life, which is why her worship is often discussed alongside harmony at home and grace in life.In the Tantra Yoga tradition (a yogic path that works with subtle energy centres), worshipping her is said to activate and strengthen the Manipura Chakra, or solar plexus chakra.Together, these associations offer two ways of understanding her worship: Venus represents domestic and married life, while Manipura represents the inner strength that tradition says her worship awakens.
Kheer with saffron, and a prayer for a child
For those who wish to conceive a healthy, virtuous, and successful child, tradition offers a devotional practice for this day:
- Prepare a sweet kheer, such as vermicelli kheer, and add saffron.
- Offer it to the Mother while praying, “Bless me with a healthy, virtuous, and successful child.”
- On the evening of the third day, the husband and wife eat the blessed kheer together.
Treat this as a devotional practice, not as medical advice. Consult a doctor about fertility or other health concerns.
Staying with her for beauty
There is also a traditional practice associated with beauty. Because Chandraghanta is linked with Venus and regarded as a goddess of beauty, those wishing to attain or enhance their physical beauty are advised to worship her consistently.Keep your prayers aligned with that wish and remain steadfast in your devotion. Red is the colour associated with the day, so placing a red flower or a piece of red cloth at the altar is a natural fit.Then evening comes, and the steam rises from a shared bowl of saffron kheer, with two spoons and nothing else on the table.
