Navratri Day 5: Maa Skandamata Puja Significance, Tithi and Day Colour
The fifth day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Skandamata (the fifth incarnation of Devi Durga). She is worshipped on this day. When Maa Parvati gave birth to Bhagwan Kartikeya (also known as Skanda or Murugan), she became Devi Skandamata.
Devi Skandamata rides a ferocious lion and is shubhra varna, which means fair complexion. She carries baby Skanda in her lap, who is also the brother of Bhagwan Ganesha. Maa Skandamata, presented with four hands, holds a lotus in her upper two hands and baby Skanda in one of her right hands. The other right hand is in Abhaya Mudra, to bless us all. She is also seated on a lotus flower and that gives her the name Devi Padmasana.
Navratri Day 5: Maa Skandamata Puja, Date, Tithi, Colour
Shardiya Navratri Maha Panchami Date: October 8th, 2024; Tuesday
For accurate timing for puja, you can consult our pandits and astrologers at NamoAstro.
What is the Importance of Worshipping Maa Skandamata?
In this incarnation, Maa Durga’s motherly swaroopa is celebrated. It is the worship of the womanhood and the motherhood of the feminine energy that gives shape to life within a woman. Devi Shakti is the epitome of that feminine power that exists in this universe.
She is also known to have trained her son Skanda on warfare and weaponry so that he could slay the demon Tarakasur to protect the universe from his demonic acts. Thus, by worshipping Devi Skandamata, the form of Devi Durga, you also get the blessings of Bhagwan Kartikeya. So, it is also the worship of the Matri Shakti that not only gives birth and nourishes her children but also trains them to fight the causes of society and the universe as a whole.
By worshipping this form of Devi Shakti, you worship the Matri Shakti Roopa of this universe that has brought you into this world.
Astrological Importance of Worshipping Maa Skandamata?
The planet Mercury (Budh) is ruled by Devi Skandamata. Therefore, worshipping her can eliminate all the bad effects of Mercury in your life. Also, you will see enhancement in the qualities that are associated with Mercury.
Navratri Day 5 Colour: Yellow
Maa Skandamata is associated with the colour yellow. That is why devotees often wear yellow on the 5th day of Navratri. Wearing yellow on this day is believed to bring good luck. It brings joy, happiness, and prosperity into their lives.
What is the Legend Behind Worshipping Maa Skandamata?
There was a demon named Tarakasur who could be slayed only with the intervention of Bhagwan Shiva’s son. To prepare her son Kartikeya for the war, Maa Durga ascended in the form of Skanda Mata. As a result of the training Skanda received from His mother, Skandamata (who was the Shakti herself), Skanda killed Tarakasur.
How to Perform Maa Skandamata Puja on Day 5 of Navratri?
To worship Devi Skandamata, you need to follow the below steps:
- Clean the puja room or mandir.
- Install the image of the goddess.
- Decorate the area with flowers and rangoli.
- Offer ghee lamps, incense sticks, sweets, and fruits to Maa. Also, chant the mantras and aarti associated with Maa.
The worship method of Mother Skandamata is as follows:
- Wake up early in the morning, take a bath and wear clean clothes.
- Purify the place of worship with Ganga water.
- Install the idol or picture of the mother by spreading a yellow cloth on a wooden platform.
- Bathe mother with Ganga water.
- Apply roli-kumkum to mother.
- Offer red flowers, akshat, vermilion, incense, lamp and naivedya to the mother.
- Offer bananas or things made from bananas, like banana halwa, sweets and five types of different fruits to Maa Skandamata.
- Chant the mantra of Mother Skandamata.
- Perform Aarti of Mother Skandmata.
- Ask for forgiveness after worship.
- Recite Durga Saptashati and Durga Chalisa.
Worshipping Maa Skandmata will remove all the obstacles to conceiving a child. She also blesses her devotees with prosperity, good life and power.
Mantras for worshipping Maa Skandamata
Skandamata Mantra
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah॥
Devi Skandamata स्तुति
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥
You can consult India’s best astrologers at NamoAstro to know more about the puja Vidhi of Maa Skandamata.
Maa Skandamata Aarti
जय तेरी हो स्कन्द माता। पाँचवाँ नाम तुम्हारा आता॥
सबके मन की जानन हारी। जग जननी सबकी महतारी॥
तेरी जोत जलाता रहूँ मैं। हरदम तुझे ध्याता रहूँ मै॥
कई नामों से तुझे पुकारा। मुझे एक है तेरा सहारा॥
कही पहाड़ों पर है डेरा। कई शहरों में तेरा बसेरा॥
हर मन्दिर में तेरे नजारे। गुण गाये तेरे भक्त प्यारे॥
भक्ति अपनी मुझे दिला दो। शक्ति मेरी बिगड़ी बना दो॥
इन्द्र आदि देवता मिल सारे। करे पुकार तुम्हारे द्वारे॥
दुष्ट दैत्य जब चढ़ कर आये। तू ही खण्ड हाथ उठाये॥
दासों को सदा बचाने आयी। भक्त की आस पुजाने आयी॥
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why did Devi Durga assume the form of Skandamata?
A: After giving birth to Skanda (another form of Katikeya or Murugan), Devi Durga was known as Skandamata. She also trained Skanda in warfare so that he could slay the demon Tarakasur.
Q: On which day Devi Skandamata is worshipped during Navratri?
A: Maa Skandamata is worshipped on the 5th or panchami of the Navratri. It is also known as Mahapanchami.
Q: How many forms of Maa Durga are worshipped during Navratri?
A: Nine forms of Devi Durga are worshipped during Navratri. The nine forms are: Maa Chandraghanta, Maa Kushmanda, Maa Shailputri, Maa Brahmacharini, Maa Skandamata, Maa Katyayani, Maa Kalaratri, Maa Mahagauri, and Maa Siddhidatri
