World · India Bureau
Maa Skandamata Takes Centre Stage on Navratri Day 5
The fifth day of Navratri 2026 is dedicated to Maa Skandamata, the divine mother of Lord Skanda, who is venerated as a symbol of maternal strength and protection. Devotees observe specific rituals, colours, and mantras to seek her blessings during this auspicious day.
LSN India ·
Maa Skandamata holds a prominent place in Hindu mythology as the mother of Lord Skanda, also known as Kartikeya or Murugan. She is traditionally depicted seated upon a fierce lion, embodying both nurturing compassion and formidable power. In her iconography, the goddess cradles her infant son in her lap while holding sacred lotus flowers, representing purity, knowledge, and spiritual awakening.
The worship of Maa Skandamata on the fifth day of Navratri carries deep spiritual significance for devotees across India. Believers invoke her blessings for maternal care, protection of children, and overall well-being of families. The day is considered particularly auspicious for those seeking guidance, courage, and liberation from worldly hardships.
Devotion to Maa Skandamata traditionally involves recitation of specific mantras believed to invoke her grace. Worshippers often observe fasting and perform puja rituals at home or in temples, offering flowers, incense, and prasad. Each day of Navratri is associated with a particular colour, enhancing the spiritual atmosphere of prayers and meditation.
As part of Navratri observances, the veneration of Maa Skandamata connects devotees to ancient Hindu traditions celebrating the triumph of divine feminine energy. The festival reinforces cultural values of maternal devotion, courage, and spiritual transformation across communities in India and among diaspora populations worldwide.