The third day of Chaitra Navratri is dedicated to Maa Chandraghanta. She is the goddess Durga’s or Shakti’s third avtaar. Maa Chandraghanta is a representation of strength and justice. Her vahana, or vehicle, is the lion, and she has a crescent moon on her forehead. The half moon is said to have appeared on Chandraghanta’s brow when she wed Lord Shiva. She also possesses a third eye, showing that she is always prepared to battle evil. In her four left hands, Maa Chandraghanta holds the Trishul (trident), Gada (mace), Sword, and Kamandal (pitcher), while her fifth left hand is in the Varada Mudra position. In her four right hands, she holds a lotus flower, an arrow, a dhanush (bow), and Japa Mala (prayer beads).
