Maa Skandamata Mantra, Katha, Aarti and Bhog: Navratri Day 5 Puja Vidhi

Who is Maa Skandamata? (Skandamata Devi Meaning & Form)

"Skandamata" means mother of Skanda, another name for Kartikeya, the commander of the gods' army. She is the fifth of the Navdurga, worshipped on Day 5 as Parvati in her most maternal form.

She has four arms. She holds the infant Skanda in her lap with one, lotuses in two others, and keeps the fourth raised in blessing. She rides a lion but is usually shown seated on a lotus, which is why she is also called Padmasana Devi.

Maa Skandamata Mantra & Beej Mantra (with Meaning)

Skandamata mantra:

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥

Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah

"Salutations to Goddess Skandamata."

Suitable for daily puja and jaap.

Beej (seed) mantra, used in havan:

ॐ ह्रीं क्लीं श्रीं देव्यै स्कन्दमातायै नमः स्वाहा॥

Om Hreem Kleem Shreem Devyai Skandamatayai Namah Swaha

Offered with each ahuti during a Day 5 havan.

Dhyana mantra, describing her form:

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥

Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashrita Karadvaya, Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini

"Always seated on the lion throne, with lotuses in her two hands, may the glorious Skandamata always bring auspiciousness."

Skandamata Mata ki Katha

The demon Tarakasura had won a boon that only a son of Shiva could kill him. Since Shiva was deep in meditation and had no son, Tarakasura believed himself unbeatable and began terrorising the three worlds.

The gods turned to Parvati. Her union with Shiva gave birth to Skanda, who was raised by the six Krittikas and grew into the six-faced Kartikeya. As commander of the celestial army, he went on to defeat Tarakasura and restore order.

In her role as the mother who raised and empowered this warrior son, Parvati came to be worshipped as Skandamata. Her story is less about battle and more about the strength of a mother who prepares her child to face the world.

Maa Skandamata Puja Vidhi on Navratri Day 5

1. Continue the daily puja. Water the barley and keep the kalash in place.
2. Place her image. Use a picture of Skandamata with Kartikeya in her lap, ideally with yellow flowers.
3. Offer the dhyana mantra. Recite "Simhasanagata Nityam..." while picturing her on the lotus.
4. Chant her mantra. Say "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah" with a lit diya.
5. Offer bananas. This is her traditional bhog.
6. Close with the aarti.

Day 5 is also a favoured day to have the Durga Saptashati path recited.

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Maa Skandamata Bhog & Colour

Maa Skandamata's bhog is the simplest of the festival: a few ripe bananas, offered with a prayer for the health and happiness of one's children. It fits her nature well. A mother's offering doesn't need to be elaborate, only heartfelt. Each devi has her own favourite offering through the nine days, from ghee for Shailputri to til for Siddhidatri, and the full Navratri bhog for 9 days list explains why each one is chosen.

Most families wear yellow for her day. Its warmth and brightness echo the joy of a mother holding her child, and it pairs naturally with the yellow flowers often offered to her. Like the bhog, the colour changes daily, following the order of the Navratri colours 2026.

Skandamata Mata ki Aarti

There's no aarti unique to Skandamata. The same Durga aarti, Jai Ambe Gauri, is sung on Day 5:

जय अम्बे गौरी, मैया जय श्यामा गौरी। तुमको निशिदिन ध्यावत, हरि ब्रह्मा शिवरी॥

Jai Ambe Gauri, Maiya Jai Shyama Gauri, Tumko Nishidin Dhyavat, Hari Brahma Shivari.

"Victory to Mother Gauri, who is meditated upon day and night by Hari, Brahma and Shiva."

Benefits of Worshipping Skandamata Devi

• Blessings for children. She is prayed to for the health, safety and growth of one's children.
• Governs the Vishuddha chakra. In yogic tradition, she's linked to the throat chakra, associated with clear expression.
• A double blessing. Worshipping her is believed to honour Kartikeya too.
• Calm strength. Her form balances gentleness with the protective courage of the lion she rides.

A Mother's Day in Navratri

Day 5 is the gentlest day of Navratri. Skandamata's story isn't about a battle she fought herself, but about raising the child who would. Many families keep this day for prayers for their own children, offering a simple bowl of bananas and a few minutes of quiet with the Devi.

If you'd like a Navratri puja performed at a temple on your behalf, Ekishwar can arrange it at a Shakti Peeth, in your name.

Navratri 2026 · 11 – 19 October

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