Shardiya Navratri 2026 Day 5 – Navratri is going on today. 15 October 2026, Thursday, is the fifth day of Navratri. This day is dedicated to Maa Skandamata. Mother Skandamata means the goddess of love and affection. She is also known as Vidyavahini, Maheshwari and Gauri. So let us know today how to worship Maa Skandamata, what is her favourite offering, which colour is auspicious to wear, and what is her story.
Who is Maa Skandamata?
According to mythology, Maa Skandamata is the mother of Lord Kartikeya. Lord Kartikeya is also called Skanda. Therefore, this form of Maa Durga is called Skandamata. Lord Skanda, i.e. Kartikeya himself resides in the child form in the lap of Maa Skandamata. This is the reason why this form of Maa is considered a symbol of affection and love.
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form of mother skandamata
Maa Skandamata has four arms. He is seated on a lion and holds Lord Kartikeya in his lap. Maa has a lotus flower in both her hands. Maa face is as bright as the sun. Because she is seated on a lotus, she is also called Padmasana Devi.
Auspicious time of puja
According to the Panchang, there are some special auspicious times for puja on 15 October 2026.
Amrit Kaal: 08:58 pm to 10:45 pm
Brahma Muhurta: 04:51 am to 05:39 am
How to worship Maa Skandamata?
The worship of Maa is very simple. Maa definitely accepts the worship done with meditation and devotion.
Bathing and cleaning: Wake up in the morning before sunrise, take a bath and clean the puja place thoroughly.
Decorate the post: Spread a clean red or yellow cloth on a post and install a picture or statue of Maa Skandamata.
Offer: Offer fruits, flowers, sweets, cloves, cardamom, incense, lamp, Akshat and betel leaves to the Maa Goddess.
Light a lamp: Perform the aarti of the Maa Goddess by lighting a lamp of camphor and ghee.
Recite: Recite Durga Saptashati or Durga Chalisa after apologising.
Favourite indulgence and colour
Offering a banana to Maa Skandamata is considered very auspicious. It is believed that this relieves physical pain and develops intelligence.
Maa likes the colour yellow very much. Wearing yellow or white colored clothes on this day is considered auspicious. Maa also likes yellow flowers like marigold and yellow rose.
mantra
Some of the main mantras of Maa Skandamata are:
Seed Mantra: Om Aim Hreem Kleem Skandamatay Namah.
Meditation Mantra: Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashritakaradvaya. Good wishes always, Goddess Skandmata Yashaswini.
Praise Mantra: Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Skandmata Rupen Sansthita. Namastesyaye Namastesyaye Namastesyaye Namo Namah॥
Why should we worship Mother Skandamata?
It is believed that worshipping Maa Skandmata leads to the development of intelligence, attainment of knowledge and happiness of children. Maa also brings happiness and prosperity in the lives of her devotees. Worship of Maa Skandamata is also considered very fruitful in problems related to children.
aarti
जय हो तेरी स्कंद माता,
पांचवां नाम लिबरेट आता है।
सबके मन की आस पुराति,
महिमा तेरी सब जग गाता।
जहाँ-तहाँ कारखाने पर काम है,
कई शहरों में तेरा बसेरा।
हर मंदिर में तेरे नज़ारे,
गुण गाए तेरा भक्त प्रिय।
भक्ति अपनी हमें दिला दो,
शक्ति मेरी माता बनी दो।
इंद्र आदि देवता मिल सारे,
करे कॉल फायेदे।
दुष्टदैत्य जब चढ़ कर आया,
तू ही खंडा हाथ पकड़।
दासों को सदाबहार आई,
भक्त की आस पुजाने आई।
जय हो तेरी स्कंद माता,
पांचवां नाम लिबरेट आता है।