Chaitra Navratri is an auspicious festival widely celebrated in Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Haryana. The nine-day celebration honours Maa Durga and her nine forms, known as Navadurgas, which include Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmcharini, Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Skandmata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kaalratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Sidhidatri.
During the festival, devotees worship Maa Durga and her nine forms, fast, consume satvik food, and ask for the goddess’s blessings. Today, we will talk about the fifth form of the Goddess, Goddess Skandamata. On the fifth day of the ongoing Navratri, goddess Skandamata is worshipped.
It is believed that Maa Skandamata showers blessings on devotees who worship the goddess through rituals, and she removes all negative powers and negative energies from her devotees’ lives. Know the worship method, bhog, mantra, colour for the fifth day and more
Who is Skandamata?
Goddess Skandamata is the fifth form of the goddess Durga. The word “Skanda” means Kartikeya, the son of Mata Parvati and Lord Shiva, and “mata” means mother. Maa Skandamata is regarded as the mother of Lord Kartikeya (also known as Skanda or Murugan). He is also called Subramanya in many parts of the country. Goddess Skandamata rides on a lion, and she possesses four hands.
On the one hand, she holds the infant form of her son, Lord Skanda, and on the other is Abhaymudra, which dispels all fears. In her two other hands, she holds lotus flowers. She is also known as Padmasana Devi and Bhagwati. It is believed that by worshipping Mother Bhagwati, all problems related to children are removed.
Goddess Skandamata | X/ @varshaparmar06
Skandamata Puja Vidhi
On this day, wake up before sunrise and take a holy bath. Wear clean clothes and clean your house, especially the temple area, using Gangajal. Bathe the idol of Maa Skandamata with Gangajal and place a plain cloth beneath it before setting her idol on the asana (seat). Offer a chunari (veil) and clothes to the goddess along with flowers.
After this, present bhog (offerings) to the goddess. The bhog should consist of sweets, fruits, coconut, kumkum, paan with supari, honey, and dry fruits. Devotees should recite the Durga Chalisa and Durga Saptashati. Lastly, perform the aarti for Skandamata.
Goddess Skandamata’s mantra meaning
The mantra of Skandamata is “ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः” (Om Devi Skandamātāyai Namah). The meaning of the mantra is I bow to the divine Skandamata.
Which colour is followed on Navratri Day 5?
The auspicious colours of the fifth day of Navratri are yellow and white. Apart from this, wearing yellow and white colour is considered auspicious in the worship of Skandamata.
