Navratri Day 5: Significance of Goddess Skandamata

The fifth day of Navratri falls on Sunday, October 7. During Shardiya Navratri, Hindu devotees honour Goddess Durga and her nine divine forms, collectively known as Navdurgas. These incarnations include Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri. On Day 5, devotees specifically worship Maa Skandamata.

Here's everything you need to know about Maa Skandamata:

Skandamata, whose name derives from "Skanda," another name for the war god Kartikeya, symbolises the nurturing mother. She rides a fierce lion while holding the child Murugan, who is also known as Lord Kartikeya, in her lap. Skandamata is revered for granting her devotees treasures, salvation, prosperity, and power. It is believed that Maa Skandamata bestows her blessings upon devotees who are fully devoted to her in prayer. According to Hindu tradition, one must detach from worldly desires and distractions, focusing solely on worshipping Maa Skandamata to receive her divine grace.

The colour associated with this day is white, symbolising purity and innocence. Wearing white on this Monday is believed to help devotees align themselves with the virtues of the Goddess and become deserving of her blessings.

Brahma Muhurat: 4:33 AM to 5:21 AM

On this day, devotees rise early and begin their rituals with a holy bath. Dressed in new clothes, they offer prayers to Maa Skandamata, adorning her with kumkum, incense sticks, ganjagal, yellow flowers, and ghee. A special banana-based bhog is also prepared as an offering to the goddess.

Prathana:

॥ Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah॥

Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya।Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini॥

॥ Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita।Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥