Navratri Night 5 Skandamata
स्कन्दमाता
Mythological Origin
On the fifth night of Navratri, devotees turn their hearts to Skandamata — the Divine Mother who cradles the warrior-god Skanda upon her lap. Her story reaches back to the cosmic crisis when the demon Tarakasura had obtained a boon from Brahma that only a son born of Shiva could slay him. Confident that the ascetic Shiva would never marry, Tarakasura terrorized the three worlds without restraint. Yet the divine plan unfolded: Shiva wed Parvati, and from their union a radiant spark of divine energy was released — so powerful that even Agni, the fire god, could not bear it. The spark passed through the Ganga and came to rest among the Sharavana reeds, where six divine infants appeared. Parvati gathered them into her embrace and they merged into one magnificent child with six faces — Shadanana, also called Skanda or Kartikeya. In that eternal moment of a mother lifting her child, Parvati became Skandamata. She is depicted seated upon a lion, resplendent with four arms — two holding lotus flowers, one cradling baby Skanda, and one raised in Abhaya Mudra, the gesture that banishes all fear. Her complexion glows with the brilliance of a thousand suns. When young Skanda grew to lead the divine armies and finally slew Tarakasura, it was his mother's shakti flowing through him that made victory possible. Skandamata thus embodies the truth that the fiercest warrior draws strength from the gentlest love. Worshipping her on the fifth night is said to awaken the Vishuddha Chakra, the throat center of purification, granting devotees clarity of expression, wisdom, and the courageous compassion of a mother who nurtures her children while remaining fearless against all evil.
Step-by-Step Rituals
Step 1: Rise before dawn, bathe, and wear royal blue or grey clothing — the traditional color for the fifth day of Navratri. Clean the puja area and place a fresh royal blue cloth upon the altar. Set the Skandamata idol or image at the center, depicting the Goddess seated on a lion with baby Skanda on her lap.
Step 2: Begin the puja by lighting a ghee lamp and incense. Invoke Lord Ganesha first to remove obstacles, then invite Skandamata with the Avahana mantra. Offer a Kalasha filled with sacred water, decorated with mango leaves and a coconut, representing her maternal abundance.
Step 3: Perform the Shodashopachara Puja (sixteen-step worship) — offer Panchamrit (a mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar) for abhishekam, then adorn the Devi with yellow and white flowers, especially chameli (jasmine) and lotus blossoms. Place fresh bananas and ghee-based sweets as naivedya. Recite the Skandamata-specific verses from the Devi Mahatmyam and chant her moola mantra 108 times.
Step 4: Perform the aarti with a five-wick camphor lamp, circling it clockwise before the Goddess. Sing the Skandamata aarti or the Durga Aarti. Offer sindoor (vermilion), chunari (a red or yellow cloth), and bangles to the Goddess, symbolizing her married and maternal status. Distribute vibhuti and kumkum prasad to all family members.
Step 5: Conclude with the recitation of the Durga Chalisa or Durga Saptashati Chapter 5. Meditate upon the Vishuddha Chakra at the throat center, visualizing a radiant blue lotus opening as Skandamata's grace descends. Break the fast with sattvic food, particularly banana-based dishes. In the evening, participate in or organize Garba and Dandiya Raas, keeping the spirit of the fifth night alive through communal celebration.
Symbolism
Skandamata carries one of the most profound symbols in Hindu theology: the inseparability of power and tenderness. She is a warrior goddess seated upon a lion — yet her most defining act is cradling her infant son. This paradox teaches that true strength is not the absence of softness but its fullest expression. The baby Skanda on her lap represents potential — he will become the commander of the divine armies, but in this moment he is simply a child held by his mother. This reminds devotees that every great achievement begins in the nurturing space of love and patience. Her association with the Vishuddha Chakra reveals another layer: the throat center governs speech, truth, and creative expression. Skandamata's grace purifies this chakra, helping devotees speak with both courage and compassion — the voice of a mother who tells hard truths gently. The lotus flowers in her hands symbolize detachment amid worldly duties; she is fully engaged in the world as a mother and yet remains spiritually unbound. Her lion mount signifies mastery over ego, and her Abhaya Mudra promises protection to all who approach her with sincerity. On this fifth night, devotees are reminded that the spiritual journey midway requires not fierce austerity but the warmth of surrender.
Regional Variations
North India
In Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, the fifth day of Navratri is marked with elaborate pandal decorations featuring Skandamata with baby Kartikeya. Devotees observe a strict fast and offer bananas as the primary fruit, which is considered especially sacred to this form. In Varanasi and Prayagraj, special river-side pujas are conducted at dawn, and kumkum archana (worship with vermilion) is performed in large Devi temples. Families dress young boys as Kartikeya and bring them to temples for blessings.
South India
In Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, the fifth day aligns with the deep reverence for Murugan (Skanda). Temples dedicated to Lord Murugan — particularly the Arupadai Veedu (six abodes) — hold special abhishekam for both Murugan and his mother Parvati. In Kerala, the Golu (Bombe Habba) doll display prominently features Skandamata holding Murugan. Tamil families recite Skanda Sashti Kavacham alongside Navratri prayers. Women prepare elaborate kolam designs depicting the mother-and-child motif at their doorsteps.
West India (Gujarat and Maharashtra)
In Gujarat, the fifth night of Navratri is one of the most vibrant Garba nights. The Garba dance circles intensify as the festival builds momentum, with women wearing the designated color of the day. Dandiya Raas is performed with increasing energy, and community kitchens serve special undhiyu and banana-based dishes. In Maharashtra, Skandamata puja is incorporated into the broader Ghatasthapana observance, and women's groups gather to recite the Lalita Sahasranama. Pune and Kolhapur see special processions honoring the maternal aspect of the Goddess.
Diaspora Home Guide
Celebrating Skandamata's night abroad is a beautiful opportunity to honor the maternal divine. Begin by setting up a small altar with an image of Skandamata — many Hindu temple websites and apps offer high-resolution images suitable for printing and framing. Dress in royal blue or grey, the day's traditional color. If banana leaves are available at Asian grocery stores, use one as a natural plate for offerings. Prepare simple naivedya at home: bananas, kheer made with milk and rice, and any ghee-based sweet. Light a ghee lamp or a candle and incense, then recite her mantra 108 times using a mala or a counting app. Play recordings of the Durga Saptashati Chapter 5 or Skandamata stotram from YouTube or streaming platforms while you meditate. If you have children, involve them by telling the story of baby Skanda and his brave mother — this is a wonderful way to transmit tradition. Connect with local Hindu communities or temple associations for communal Garba events, which are increasingly popular in diaspora cities. Many temples in North America, the UK, and Australia host grand Navratri nights with cultural programs. If fasting, maintain a sattvic diet of fruits, milk, and sabudana khichdi. End the evening with a family aarti and share prasad with neighbors as an act of goodwill.
Foods Offered
- Bananas (considered the sacred fruit of Skandamata)
- Kheer (rice pudding made with milk, sugar, and cardamom)
- Panchamrit (a sacred mixture of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, and sugar)
- Sabudana Khichdi (tapioca pearls cooked with peanuts and mild spices, a common Navratri fasting dish)
- Malpua (sweet pancakes fried in ghee, offered as naivedya)
Colors
Mantras
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः
Om, salutations to Goddess Skandamata — the universal mantra of reverence to the Mother of Skanda.
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
She who is eternally seated on the lion throne, whose two hands rest upon lotuses — may the glorious Goddess Skandamata always bestow auspiciousness upon us.