Navratri 2026 Day 3: Maa Chandraghanta Puja, Muhurat, Mantra, Bhog and Auspicious Remedies

Navratri is a celebration of the many forms of Goddess Durga, each representing a different quality of divine strength. On the third day, devotees worship Maa Chandraghanta, a powerful form of the Divine Mother associated with courage, protection and the ability to face life's challenges with confidence.

Navratri Day 3 falls on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The day is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, whose name comes from the crescent moon shaped like a bell on her forehead. Her fierce appearance represents protection, while her peaceful expression reminds devotees that true strength can exist alongside compassion.

From the traditional puja rituals and mantra to bhog, fasting practices and auspicious remedies, this guide covers everything you need to know about Maa Chandraghanta Puja 2026.

Navratri 2026 Day 3: Date and Important Details

Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Tithi: Ashwin Shukla Paksha Tritiya

Goddess of the day: Maa Chandraghanta

Main observance: Maa Chandraghanta Puja

Traditional bhog: Milk, kheer and other suitable offerings, according to family tradition

Mantra: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah

Commonly associated colour: Red

Festival: Sharad Navratri

Maa Chandraghanta's worship encourages devotees to face difficult situations with courage and remain calm under pressure. Her form represents the balance between a peaceful heart and the determination to stand against wrongdoing.

Navratri Day 3 Muhurat 2026: Auspicious Timings

Devotees can perform Maa Chandraghanta Puja during a suitable morning or evening prayer time, following their household traditions. Those who observe specific muhurats should consult a reliable local panchang for accurate timings.

According to the New Delhi panchang, the main details for October 13, 2026, are as follows.

Timings are for New Delhi, India, and are approximate. Daily muhurats may vary slightly between panchang sources and locations. Abhijit Muhurat is a general auspicious period, not a separately calculated Chandraghanta Puja muhurat.

For most household worship, devotees can follow their usual morning puja routine. If you prefer to perform the ritual at a specific auspicious time, check the panchang applicable to your city.

Who Is Maa Chandraghanta? Significance of Navratri Day 3

Maa Chandraghanta is the third form of Navadurga worshipped during Sharad Navratri. She is commonly depicted with a crescent moon shaped like a bell on her forehead, which gives her the name Chandraghanta. In Sanskrit, chandra means moon and ghanta means bell.

According to Hindu tradition, this form of Goddess Parvati is associated with her married form as the consort of Lord Shiva. She is often shown riding a lion or tiger, with multiple arms carrying weapons and other sacred objects.

Her appearance conveys fearlessness and readiness to protect devotees from harm. At the same time, her serene expression represents calmness, compassion and spiritual balance.

Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta is traditionally believed to inspire courage, confidence and peace of mind. For devotees, the third day of Navratri is an opportunity to pray for the strength to face uncertainty without losing their sense of balance.

Her message is simple: being courageous does not mean living without fear. It means learning to respond to life's challenges with determination and a steady mind.

Maa Chandraghanta Puja Vidhi: Step-by-Step Rituals

Maa Chandraghanta Puja can be performed at home with simple traditional offerings. The exact procedure may differ according to regional customs and family traditions.

Puja Samagri

Arrange the following items before starting the puja:

Picture or idol of Maa Chandraghanta

A clean puja cloth

Fresh flowers

Kumkum or roli

Akshat, or uncooked rice

Sandalwood paste, if customary

Incense sticks and a diya

Clean water

Fruits and traditional prasad

Milk or kheer for bhog, according to your tradition

A puja thali and bell

Japamala, if you use one for mantra chanting

Step 1: Clean the Puja Area

Begin your morning by bathing and wearing clean clothes. Clean the worship space and place the goddess's picture or idol respectfully on the puja platform.

Arrange the flowers, diya and offerings before beginning the ritual.

Step 2: Take a Sankalp

Sit comfortably before the goddess and take a sankalp, or personal resolution, to perform the puja with sincerity.

You may pray for courage, family well-being, emotional balance and the strength to overcome difficulties.

Step 3: Offer Flowers and Traditional Puja Items

Offer fresh flowers, kumkum, akshat and water according to your family's customs. Light a diya and incense, ensuring that burning items are placed safely.

Red flowers are a popular choice for Maa Chandraghanta worship, although other fresh flowers may also be offered.

Step 4: Chant Maa Chandraghanta's Mantra

Recite the goddess's mantra with devotion and concentration. You may chant it 11, 21 or 108 times, depending on your personal practice.

There is no need to rush through the mantra. Take your time and focus on its meaning.

Step 5: Offer Bhog

Offer milk, kheer, fruits or other suitable prasad to the goddess. Follow your family tradition when choosing the offering.

After the puja, the prasad can be distributed among family members.

Step 6: Read or Listen to Maa Chandraghanta's Story

Spend a few minutes reading about the goddess or listening to a devotional account of her significance. Reflect on the qualities she represents, especially courage, compassion and self-control.

Step 7: Perform Aarti

Conclude the ritual with Maa Chandraghanta's aarti or a familiar Durga aarti. Offer your prayers with gratitude and distribute the prasad respectfully.

Maa Chandraghanta Mantra for Navratri Day 3

Mantra chanting is an important part of traditional Navratri worship. Devotees recite the following mantra to honour Maa Chandraghanta.

Mantra:

ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः॥

Transliteration: Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah.

Meaning: I bow to Goddess Chandraghanta and offer my reverence to the Divine Mother.

You can chant this mantra during your morning puja or evening prayers. Some devotees repeat it using a japamala, while others prefer to chant it quietly without counting repetitions.

The purpose is to focus the mind, express devotion and remember the qualities associated with the goddess.

Maa Chandraghanta Bhog: What to Offer on Day 3

Food offerings are an important part of Navratri rituals. Milk and milk-based preparations, including kheer, are commonly associated with Maa Chandraghanta's worship.

Devotees may offer:

Fresh milk

Kheer prepared at home

Milk-based sweets

Seasonal fruits

Other vegetarian prasad prepared according to family customs

Prepare the offering with care and maintain cleanliness during the ritual. After the puja, distribute the prasad among family members or share it with others.

If you are observing a fast, choose suitable ingredients according to your household's vrat rules.

Navratri Day 3 Colour 2026

Red is commonly associated with the third day of Sharad Navratri in 2026. The colour is traditionally linked with energy, courage, devotion and the strength of the Divine Mother.

Devotees who follow the Navratri colour tradition may wear red clothing, offer red flowers or use red decorations in the puja area.

However, wearing a particular colour is a customary observance, not a requirement for worship. You can honour Maa Chandraghanta with simple prayers and traditional rituals regardless of what you wear.

Auspicious Remedies for Navratri Day 3

Many devotees observe simple spiritual practices during Navratri to invite greater peace, discipline and positivity into their lives. The following remedies are rooted in customary devotional practices and should not be considered guaranteed ways to change personal circumstances.

1. Offer Red Flowers to Maa Chandraghanta

Offer fresh red flowers during the puja as a traditional expression of devotion. If red flowers are unavailable, use other fresh flowers that are appropriate to your household's customs.

2. Chant the Chandraghanta Mantra

Repeat “Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah” with a calm and focused mind. A few minutes of daily mantra chanting can create space for reflection during the festival.

3. Light a Diya During Puja

Light a diya in the worship area while offering prayers. Place it on a stable, heat-resistant surface and never leave a burning lamp unattended.

4. Offer Milk or Kheer as Prasad

Prepare a simple milk-based offering according to your family tradition. Offer it to the goddess during puja and distribute the prasad afterward.

5. Pray for Courage and Emotional Balance

Take a few moments to reflect on a situation that has been worrying you. Pray for the courage to face it thoughtfully and the patience to make sensible decisions.

This practice reflects Maa Chandraghanta's association with bravery and inner steadiness.

6. Help Someone Who Needs Support

Offer food, assist a neighbour or help someone who is going through a difficult time. Small acts of kindness can bring the values of compassion and protection into everyday life.

7. Make a Positive Sankalp

Choose one habit you would like to improve during Navratri. You might decide to respond more calmly during disagreements, speak honestly, keep your promises or approach challenges with greater confidence.

A meaningful sankalp should be realistic enough to practise beyond the festival.

Maa Chandraghanta Vrat: Fasting Rules and Traditions

Some devotees observe a fast on the third day of Navratri, while others participate through prayers, mantra chanting and aarti.

Common fasting practices include:

Eating fruits and permitted vrat-friendly foods.

Avoiding certain grains or ingredients according to family customs.

Offering prayers in the morning and evening.

Reading religious stories or chanting the goddess's mantra.

Breaking the fast according to personal and family tradition.

Fasting rules vary by region and household. There is no need to undertake a strict fast to honour Maa Chandraghanta.

Anyone who needs regular meals or medication should prioritise their health and follow appropriate medical advice.

The Spiritual Lesson of Maa Chandraghanta

Maa Chandraghanta represents the ability to remain courageous without abandoning compassion. Her warrior form reminds devotees that protecting what is right sometimes requires firmness, while her peaceful expression highlights the importance of self-control.

This lesson can be applied to everyday situations. It may mean speaking up when something is unfair, facing a difficult responsibility, setting healthy boundaries or responding to conflict without unnecessary anger.

The third day of Navratri is a chance to reflect on how courage and calmness can work together. Through prayer and thoughtful action, devotees can seek to bring these qualities into their homes, relationships and daily decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Navratri Day 3

When is Navratri Day 3 in 2026?

Navratri Day 3 falls on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The day is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, the third form of Goddess Durga.

Which goddess is worshipped on the third day of Navratri?

Maa Chandraghanta is worshipped on Day 3. She is traditionally associated with courage, protection, strength and inner peace.

What is the mantra of Maa Chandraghanta?

The traditional mantra is “Om Devi Chandraghantayai Namah” (ॐ देवी चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः).

What is the bhog for Maa Chandraghanta?

Milk, kheer and other milk-based offerings are commonly associated with Maa Chandraghanta. Devotees may also offer fruits and other vegetarian prasad according to family traditions.

Which colour should devotees wear on Navratri Day 3 in 2026?

Red is commonly associated with the third day of Navratri in 2026. Devotees may follow this custom if they wish, but wearing a particular colour is not essential for worship.

What is the auspicious time for Maa Chandraghanta Puja on October 13, 2026?

For New Delhi, the general Abhijit Muhurat is approximately 11:44 AM to 12:30 PM. For a dedicated puja timing, consult a local panchang or priest familiar with your tradition.

Can Maa Chandraghanta Puja be performed at home?

Yes. Devotees can perform the puja at home using a picture or idol of the goddess, flowers, a diya, suitable offerings and mantra chanting.

Is fasting compulsory on Navratri Day 3?

No. Fasting is a personal or family observance. Devotees can worship Maa Chandraghanta through prayer, aarti, mantra chanting and acts of kindness without undertaking a strict fast.

Conclusion

Navratri Day 3 celebrates the courage, strength and compassion represented by Maa Chandraghanta. Her worship reminds devotees that facing challenges with a steady mind can be just as important as having the courage to face them in the first place.

Whether you offer red flowers, prepare kheer, chant the goddess's mantra or spend a few quiet moments in prayer, let the day be an opportunity to strengthen your faith and approach life's difficulties with greater confidence.

May Maa Chandraghanta bless every home with courage, peace, protection and happiness throughout Navratri 2026.

Shubh Navratri!