The auspicious festival of Chaitra Navratri is being celebrated with great devotion. This year, the fifth day of Chaitra Navratri falls on Thursday, April 3, which is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Skandamata. She is the mother of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda) and is revered as the goddess of compassion and love. Depicted with four arms, Skandamata holds Lord Skanda in her lap and carries lotus flowers in her hands. She is seated on a lion, symbolizing courage and strength. Worshiping Skandamata is believed to bring prosperity, happiness, and blessings for progeny.
Rituals for Worshiping Goddess Skandamata
- Begin the day with an early morning bath and wear clean clothes.
- Purify the home temple with sacred water and place the idol or picture of Skandamata.
- Offer roli, kumkum, rice, flowers, incense, and lamps to the goddess.
- Present bananas as an offering to the deity.
- Recite the sacred mantras dedicated to Goddess Skandamata.
- Perform the aarti and distribute prasad among family members.
Sacred Offering for Skandamata
On the fifth day of Navratri, bananas are offered to Goddess Skandamata, as it is believed to please her and bring her divine blessings.
Auspicious Colors for the Day
The colors associated with the fifth day of Navratri are yellow and white, symbolizing purity, prosperity, and positivity.
Mantras Dedicated to Skandamata
“Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashritakaradvaya,Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashaswini.”
Legend of Skandamata
According to ancient scriptures, a demon named Tarakasura performed severe penance to please Lord Brahma and sought the boon of immortality. Since immortality was unattainable, he instead requested that only the son of Lord Shiva could bring about his demise.
Believing that Lord Shiva would never marry, Tarakasura considered himself invincible and unleashed terror upon the gods. To counter his tyranny, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati were united in marriage, and their son, Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), was born. After receiving rigorous training from Skandamata, Lord Kartikeya ultimately vanquished Tarakasura, liberating the deities from his oppression.
Worshiping Skandamata not only grants peace and prosperity but also bestows strength and resilience to overcome challenges in life.
