Navratri is a festival of nine nights that celebrates the different forms of Goddess Durga.
Navratri is a nine-day festival celebrated by Hindus with great devotion and enthusiasm. It is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and her nine forms, known as Navadurga. Each day of Navratri has a different colour and significance, and a different form of the goddess is worshipped.
Maa Skandamata
The fifth day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Skandamata, the mother of Lord Kartikeya or Skanda. She is the fifth manifestation of Goddess Durga and represents the motherly aspect of the divine feminine. She is also known as Padmasana Devi, as she is often depicted sitting on a lotus throne.
Date and Tithi
The fifth day of Navratri falls on the Panchami Tithi (fifth lunar day) of the Shukla Paksha (waxing phase) of the Ashwin month. In 2023, this day will be observed on October 18, Tuesday. The Panchami Tithi will begin at 12:32 AM on October 18 and end at 01:34 AM on October 19.
Puja Vidhi
The puja vidhi for Maa Skandamata is as follows:
- Wake up early in the morning and take a bath. Wear clean and yellow clothes.
- Clean the puja area and place an idol or picture of Maa Skandamata on a pedestal. Decorate it with flowers, sindoor, kumkum, akshat, etc.
- Light a lamp and incense sticks. Offer water, milk, honey, sugar, fruits, coconut, banana, and yellow sweets to the goddess.
- Chant the following mantra while offering flowers to Maa Skandamata:Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah ||
- Recite the following dhyana mantra to meditate on the form of Maa Skandamata:Sinhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya | Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini ||
- Recite the following stuti to praise Maa Skandamata:Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita | Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah ||
- Perform aarti with a camphor lamp and sing devotional songs in praise of Maa Skandamata.
- Distribute the prasad among family members and seek the blessings of Maa Skandamata for happiness, prosperity, and wisdom.
Colour
The colour associated with the fifth day of Navratri is yellow. It symbolizes joy, optimism, happiness, and intellect. It is also the colour of the sun, which represents energy and power. Devotees wear yellow clothes and offer yellow flowers to Maa Skandamata to seek her grace and favour.
Mantra
The mantra for Maa Skandamata is:
Om Hreem Shreem Kleem Sauh || Sauh Kleem Shreem Hreem Om ||
This mantra is said to invoke the blessings of Maa Skandamata for success, wealth, health, and spiritual growth.
Significance
Maa Skandamata is the goddess of motherhood and children. She is the mother of Lord Kartikeya or Skanda, who is also known as Murugan, Subramanya, Shanmukha, etc. He is the commander-in-chief of the gods and the slayer of demons like Tarakasura and Surapadma. He is also worshipped as the god of war, wisdom, courage, beauty, and devotion.
Maa Skandamata holds her son Skanda in her lap with love and affection. She has four arms and three eyes. She holds two lotuses in her upper hands and a water pot and a bell in her lower hands. She rides on a lion, which represents bravery and strength.
Maa Skandamata blesses her devotees with peace, prosperity, power, and salvation. She removes all the obstacles and troubles from their lives and grants them happiness and joy. She also bestows them with wisdom and knowledge. She is the goddess who can fulfill all the desires of her devotees.
Maa Skandamata is also associated with the Vishuddha Chakra or the throat chakra. This chakra is related to communication, expression, creativity, and purity. By worshipping Maa Skandamata, one can activate and balance this chakra and enhance one’s speech, voice, and artistic abilities.
Maa Skandamata is the epitome of motherly love, compassion, and kindness. She is the one who nurtures, protects, and guides her children. She is the one who gives them courage, confidence, and faith. She is the one who showers them with blessings and grace. She is the one who leads them to the path of liberation.
Also Read: Shardiya Navratri 2023 Day 4th: Who is Maa Kushmanda? Significance, Puja Vidhi, Timing, and Samagri
