Navaratri Day 5 – Maa Skandamata

Navaratri Day 5 – Maa Skandamata

The auspicious occasion of Goddess Durga Puja lasts for nine days where all the nine forms of Goddess Durga known as Nava Durga are being worshipped.These nine days of Puja is collectively known as Navaratri. Skanda Mata is considered to be the fifth manifestation or fifth divine form of Goddess Durga and is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. As the name Skanda Mata implies, this Goddess is the mother of Skanda.


Skanda is none other but Kumar Kartikay and is also commonly known as Lord Murugan in many regions of southern India. Being the mother of Lord Skanda, this fifth form of Goddess is popular as Devi Skanda Mata.

goddess skanda mataGoddess Skanda is represented with four arms and three eyes. She holds Kumar Kartikay in her lap. Both of her left and right upper hands are found to hold lotus. She is also known with the name Padamasana Devi as in meditation state, she seats on lotus. She uses lion to move around and is the vehicle of Devi Skanda Mata.

Worshipping of Goddess Skanda on the fifth day of Navaratri has a great significance. The elegant appearance of Skanda Mata mesmerizes the devotees and worshippers. She is a true symbol of purity and by offering invocation to this divine power, worshippers travel the tranquil Universe in order to pacify their mind and soul. It is a belief that the worshippers and devotees enter into Vishudh Chakra while worshipping on this day of Navaratri Puja. Vishudh implies to undiluted. The devotees feel the removal of the tensions and impurities of the outer world and gets immersed completely in adhere of Skanda Mata. On this auspicious occasion, the worshippers realize and experience the immense pleasure and peace in mind and soul. They make themselves free from the unnecessary and meaningless anxieties of human life and enjoy the happiness bestowed by Skanda Mata. The journey into Vishudh Chakra makes devotees realize the truth of life and they leave behind the sorrows and achieve the divine and great commitment in life.

maa skand mataPanchami or fifth day of Navaratri Puja is completely dedicated to Skanda Mata and helps the worshippers and devotees to achieve the profound blessings. Her divine brightness radiates in the life of the devotees. With her blessings, all true wishes get accomplished. One important thing about Skanda Mata is that she never lets the worshippers return with empty hands. It is a fact that her blessings are boundless which leads to peace in life. Goddess Skanda shows the directions towards Moksha or Nirvana. By offering prayer to this divine goddess, worshippers can come out from various dilemmas of life and move forward peacefully for salvation.


Skanda Mata is one form of Goddess Parvati. A devotee who worships Skanda Mata gets the benefit of worshipping Lord Kartikay as well. According to the Puranas, worshipping of Skanda Mata is very fruitful. Worshippers get the energy to fight against the materialistic wishes and focuses on eternal peace. Skanda Mata is the premium goddess of the solar system and can provide magnitude to her devotees.

Article II:

The 5th day of Navratri is dedicated to Goddess Skandamata, the 5th manifestation of Goddess Durga and the mother of Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by the devatas as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. The image of Devi Skandamata portrays Her holding Lord Skanda in his infant form and a lotus in her right hand. She has four arms, three eyes and a bright complexion. She is also called as Padamasani since She is often depicted seated on a lotus flower in a her idol. She is also worshiped in the form of Parvati, Maheshwari or Mata Gauri. The left arm of the goddess is in a pose to grant boons with grace to her devotees.

The legend says that Tarkasur, a great demon, once pleased Lord Brahma with his great devotion and extremely tough penance. He asked Lord Brahma to shower His blessings and make him immortal. Lord Brahma denied him this blessing, saying none can escape death. Tarkasur acted smart and asked for the death by the son of Lord Shiva, since he thought Lord Shiva would never get married. Tarkasur started tormenting the people on the earth. Fearing his strength would cause destructions, the devatas requested Lord Shiva to get married. He agreed and married Goddess Parvati. Their child, Lord Kartikeya/ Skand Kumar, demolished Tarkasur. Devi Skandmata is a symbol of the mother-son relationship.

By worshipping Her, you get immense love and affection from her and gets all his desires fulfilled. You may attain supreme joy even in this very mortal world. Her worship automatically includes the worship of Lord Kartikeya (in his child form).

Chant this mantra to worship Goddess Skandamata…

सिंघासनगता नित्यम पद्माश्रितकरद्वया |
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्द माता यशश्विनी ||

Siṅghāsanagatā nityama padmāśritakaradvayā |
śubhadāstu sadā dēvī skanda mātā yaśaśvinī ||