Chandraghanta

Chandraghanta
Goddess of War
Goddess Chandraghanta
Devanagari	चंद्रघंटा
Affiliation	Avatar of Durga, Parvati, Shakti
Weapon	Trishul, Bell, Lotus, Gada, Kamandal, Sword, Bow, Arrow
Consort	Shiva
Mount	Dawon(tiger or lion)

In Hinduism, Chandraghanta is the third form of Goddess Durga. Her name Chandra-Ghanta, means "one who has a half-moon shaped like a bell". She is also known as Chandrakhanda, Chandika or Rannchandi. Her worship takes place on the third day of Navaratri(the nine divine nights of Navadurga). She is believed to reward people with her grace, bravery and courage. By her grace all the sins, distresses, physical sufferings, mental tribulations and ghostly hurdles of the devotees are eradicated.

After Lord Shiva gave Parvati his word that he would not marry any woman, her sufferings overwhelmed him so much that he gave up, followed by a tearful reunion and then agrees to marry her. Soon, the joyous moment of Parvati's life comes. Shiva brings a procession of gods, mortals, ghosts, ghouls, goblins, sages, ascetics, Aghoris and Shivaganas to the gates of King Himavan's palace to take away his bride Parvati, on the occasion of his remarriage. Shiva arrives at King Himavan's palace in a terrorizing form and Parvati's mother Maina Devi faints in terror. Parvati appears to Shiva and sees his fearsome form, so to save her parents and other family members she transforms herself into Goddess Chandraghanta.

Chandraghanta persuaded Shiva to re-appear in a charming form. On listening to the Goddess, Shiva appears as a prince decorated with countless jewels. Parvati revived her mother, father and friends then Shiva and Parvati get married and made promises to one another.

She has eight hands holding a Trishula(trident), Gada(mace), bow-arrow, khadak(sword), Kamala(lotus flower), Ghanta(bell) and kamandal(waterpot), while one of her hands remains in blessing posture or abhayamudra. She rides on a tiger or lion as her vehicle, which represents bravery and courage, she wears a half moon on her forehead and has a third eye in the middle of her forehead. Her complexion is golden. Shiva sees Chandraghanta's form as a great example of beauty, charm and grace.