How To Worship On Third Day Of Navratri In Hinduism - A Comprehensive Guide

Comprehensive Guide to Worship on the Third Day of Navratri in Hinduism

The third day of Navratri holds great significance in Hinduism as it is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Chandraghanta, a form of Durga. She symbolizes courage, bravery, and peace, riding a tiger with a half-moon adorning her forehead (hence the name "Chandra" for moon and "Ghanta" for bell). Worshiping her is believed to eliminate sorrow, fear, and negative energies while promoting peace, prosperity, and happiness.

1. Importance of Worship on the Third Day of Navratri

• Spiritual Significance: Worshiping Goddess Chandraghanta invokes her blessings of valor, strength, and tranquility. She is a symbol of a warrior's power as well as calmness in dealing with life’s challenges.
• Physical and Mental Benefits: Devotees often feel an increase in energy, focus, and determination. It helps remove obstacles from the devotee’s life, and purifies the mind and body.

2. Cleanliness and Preparations for the Puja

Cleanliness is of utmost importance while preparing for the puja. Here’s how to prepare:

• Personal Hygiene: Start the day with a bath, ideally before sunrise. Wear clean and modest clothes (traditional attire like white or yellow sarees, dhotis, or kurta-pajamas are ideal).
• Clean the Worship Space: Clean the space where the puja will be performed. Wash the area with water and sprinkle some Gangajal (holy water from the Ganges) to purify it.
• Eco-friendly Puja Products: Avoid synthetic products. Opt for clay idols, natural flower garlands, and leaves instead of plastic decorations.

3. Time for the Puja

The best time to perform Navratri puja is during Brahma Muhurat (between 4:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.), though it can also be performed during Sandhya (evening) if mornings are not feasible. Ensure a calm and focused environment during the worship.

4. Puja Items Required (Eco-Friendly)

Use biodegradable, natural, and eco-friendly materials for all rituals. Here's a list of items required:

• Clay or Metal Idol of Goddess Chandraghanta
• Kalash (brass/copper pot) with water, mango leaves, and coconut
• Gangajal (holy water) for purification
• Fresh flowers (jasmine, marigold, lotus, rose) and flower garlands
• Fruits: Bananas, apples, pomegranate, and seasonal fruits
• Sandalwood paste (avoid chemical ones, go for natural)
• Kumkum (vermilion), turmeric, and raw rice
• Camphor for aarti
• Natural incense sticks made from herbs or flowers
• Cotton wicks and ghee for lighting the diya
• Betel leaves, sweets, and coconut
• Jaggery and honey for Prasad

5. Simple Steps of Puja

Here's a simplified step-by-step guide:

1. Purification: Start by sprinkling Gangajal in the puja room and over all items.
2. Kalash Setup: Place a Kalash (copper or brass pot) in front of the idol. Fill it with water, place mango leaves around the mouth of the Kalash, and place a coconut on top.
3. Offerings: Offer fresh flowers, garlands, fruits, turmeric, and kumkum to the Goddess.
4. Aarti Setup: Light the diya (lamp) with ghee or oil and burn natural incense sticks.
5. Recite Mantras:
   • Chant the following mantra for Goddess Chandraghanta:

     Pindaj Pravaraarudha Chandakopastra Keyurta |
     Prasadam Tanute Maham Chandraghanteti Vishrutaa ||
     

     Meaning: "The Goddess who is seated on a tiger, equipped with weapons and moon on her forehead, blesses us and removes all troubles."
6. Offer Prasad: Offer eco-friendly Prasad like jaggery, honey, coconut, and seasonal fruits to the Goddess.

6. Prasad to be Prepared

For the third day, the recommended prasad includes:

• Sweetened Rice (Kheer): Prepared using milk, rice, and jaggery instead of sugar.
• Jaggery or Honey-Based Sweets: Use jaggery instead of refined sugar to make offerings.
• Coconut and Fruits: Offerings of fresh fruits and grated coconut.

7. Mantras and Prayers

During the puja, chant the following mantras to invoke Goddess Chandraghanta's blessings:

1. Navratri Durga Stotra:

   Sarva Mangala Maangalye Shive Sarvaartha Saadhike |
   Sharanye Tryambake Gauri Naaraayani Namostute ||
   

   Meaning: "Salutations to the Goddess who provides auspiciousness and success to all her devotees."

2. Durga Chalisa: Recite the Durga Chalisa to praise the Goddess and seek her blessings.

8. How to Conclude the Puja

• Aarti: Conclude the worship by performing an aarti using a camphor lamp or diya.
• Shanti Path: End with a prayer for peace (Shanti Mantra):

  Om Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah Sarve Santu Niraamayaah |
  Sarve Bhadrani Pashyantu Ma Kashcid-Duhkha-Bhag-Bhavet ||
  Om Shanti Shanti Shanti ||
  

  Meaning: "May all be happy, may all be free from illness, may all see auspiciousness, may none suffer."

9. What to Do with Puja Leftover Items

To ensure the eco-friendliness of your Navratri puja, dispose of leftover items sustainably:

• Flowers: Collect used flowers and compost them in your garden or use them to make organic fertilizers.
• Coconut and Prasad: Distribute the coconut and any leftover Prasad among family members and neighbors.
• Water from the Kalash: Pour the water from the Kalash into a plant or garden as an offering to nature.
• Natural Incense Ash: Sprinkle the ash from the incense sticks in a potted plant.

10. Benefits of Worshiping on the Third Day

Worshiping Goddess Chandraghanta on the third day brings the following benefits:

• Removes Obstacles: She removes hurdles and obstacles, offering devotees the strength to face life’s difficulties.
• Courage and Peace: Invoking her blessings instills courage, confidence, and inner peace.
• Spiritual Growth: Helps in spiritual elevation, removing negative influences and enhancing clarity of mind and purpose.

By following this guide, you can honor the essence of Navratri while maintaining an eco-friendly and traditional approach to worship. This not only invokes the blessings of the Goddess but also contributes to sustainable living, in harmony with nature.