Navratri Day 3 - Maa Chandraghanta 2028 in Gurgaon

Navratri Day 3 is observed on October 13, 2026. This day corresponds to the Ashwin Shukla Tritiya tithi in the traditional Hindu calendar. It falls within the nine-day period starting from Ghatasthapana on October 11 to Maha Navami on October 19.

The exact timings for sunrise, sunset, and auspicious muhurats vary depending on your geographic location. You can find the precise local timings, including the Abhijit muhurat, in the live astronomical table displayed at the top of this page. Always refer to your local schedule to ensure your rituals are performed at the correct time.

The third day is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta, the third manifestation of Goddess Durga. She is depicted with a golden complexion, riding a tiger, and possessing ten arms holding various weapons. She is named for the bell-shaped half-moon that adorns her forehead.

Worshipping Maa Chandraghanta is traditionally believed to instill immense courage and fearlessness in the devotee. Her divine bell's sound is said to drive away all negative energies and demonic forces. Devotees pray to her to achieve inner peace and the strength to overcome life's obstacles.

The traditional colour for the third day of Navratri is royal blue. Wearing this colour is believed to align you with the goddess's tranquil yet powerful energy. It symbolizes deep spiritual wisdom, peace, and the calm strength needed to face challenges.

The goddess is particularly fond of milk and milk-based items. Traditional offerings include fresh milk, milk sweets, and freshly prepared kheer. White and yellow flowers, along with a silver coin, are also highly recommended to complete the bhog.

The fast begins at sunrise and involves abstaining from regular grains, lentils, and non-vegetarian food. Devotees typically consume fruits, milk, and specific fasting foods like sabudana or kuttu. The fast is usually broken the following morning, though some consume a phalahar meal after the evening aarti.

Yes, drinking tea or coffee is generally accepted in most traditional fasting practices during Navratri. However, it should be prepared with regular milk and sugar, avoiding any artificial additives. If your family tradition strictly prohibits it, you should follow your specific household customs.

The primary mantra for the third day is ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं चन्द्रघण्टायै नमः. Chanting this mantra helps invoke the goddess's blessings for courage and the removal of negativity. It is traditionally chanted 108 times using a rudraksha or lotus seed mala during the puja.

You will need a picture or idol of the goddess, a ghee lamp, cotton wicks, kumkum, and incense sticks. For offerings, gather white and yellow flowers, milk sweets, kheer, and a silver coin. Having camphor ready for the concluding aarti is also essential.

Yes, Navratri is considered one of the most auspicious times of the year for new beginnings. Since Maa Chandraghanta blesses her devotees with courage and removes negativity, it is an excellent day to launch a project. Ensure you perform your morning prayers before proceeding with the work.

Shopping is widely considered very auspicious during the Navratri festival. Many people choose to buy new clothes, jewelry, or household items during these nine days. Purchasing something in royal blue today is seen as a way to honor the day's specific energy.

Strict fasting should be avoided by pregnant women, nursing mothers, young children, and the elderly. Those with medical conditions like diabetes or anyone on daily medication should also prioritize their health. Always consult your doctor before undertaking any dietary restrictions.

If traditional milk sweets are unavailable, you do not need to worry. Plain milk sweetened with a little sugar is perfectly acceptable as a substitute. The goddess values the devotion behind the offering much more than the grandeur of the item itself.

In Vedic astrology, Maa Chandraghanta is closely associated with Venus, the planet of beauty, harmony, and material comforts. Worshipping her helps balance Venusian energies, bringing peace to relationships and stability to finances. It clears away the negativity that an afflicted Venus might cause in a person's life.

Absolutely, fasting is not a mandatory requirement for performing the puja. You can offer your prayers, light the ghee lamp, and chant the mantras while eating a regular vegetarian diet. Simply ensure your meals do not contain onion, garlic, or non-vegetarian ingredients on this day.

According to the traditional katha, the goddess wears a half-moon shaped like a bell (ghanta) on her forehead, giving her the name Chandraghanta. When she rode into battle against the demon Mahishasura, the terrifying sound of this bell paralyzed the demonic army. It symbolizes the power of divine sound to dispel ignorance and fear.

Astronomical timings depend entirely on the exact longitude and latitude of your location. Sunrise and sunset happen at different moments across the country, which shifts the calculation for Rahu Kaal and Abhijit muhurat. That is why the live table on this page computes the times specifically for your selected city.

Maa Brahmacharini, worshipped on Day 2, represents asceticism, penance, and quiet devotion, walking barefoot with a rosary. In contrast, Maa Chandraghanta, worshipped on Day 3, is a fierce, fully-armed warrior goddess riding a tiger. While Day 2 focuses on discipline, Day 3 is about courage and actively dispelling negative forces.

Donation is highly encouraged during Navratri. On the third day, donating milk, rice, or white clothes to those in need is considered very auspicious. This aligns with the offerings made to Maa Chandraghanta and helps spread the blessings of peace and prosperity.