Navratri Day 5: Who is Maa Skandamata? Here Are Step-by-Step Puja Rituals

New Delhi: Today is the fifth day of Chaitra Navratri. This day is dedicated to Skandamata. The fifth form of Goddess Durga bestows love, power, and salvation upon her devotees. Skandamata is the mother of Lord Kartikeya. According to religious beliefs, worshipping Maa Skandamata on this day with proper rituals bestows the happiness of children, knowledge, and wisdom. It also removes obstacles in life, paving the way for happiness and prosperity. 

When is Goddess Skandamata worshiped and what is its significance?

Maa Skandamata is a divine form of Goddess Parvati, considered a symbol of motherhood, compassion, and strength. She has four arms and rides a lion. Child Kartikeya, known as the commander of the gods, sits in her lap. She holds a lotus flower in two hands, child Skanda (Karthikeya) in another, and the fourth hand in the Var Mudra (Var Mudra). This form of her blesses devotees with affection and protection.

How to worship Maa Skandamata?

• Wake up in the Brahma Muhurta on the fifth day of Navratri, take a bath, and wear clean clothes. 
• Clean the place of worship and sit on seat.
• Sprinkle Ganga water on the idol or picture of the Goddess .
• Skandamata is very fond of yellow, so offer her yellow flowers, yellow fruits, and yellow clothes.
• Offer roli, rice grains, and sandalwood.
• Light a ghee lamp and perform the puja.
• Recite Durga Saptashati and Durga Chalisa.
• Perform aarti of the Goddess with camphor or a lamp.
• Keeping the mind calm and focused during the puja is considered especially important. 

Which food does Maa like the most?

Maa Skandamata loves bananas. She also enjoys saffron-infused kheer, gram flour laddus, and turmeric-infused prasad. By offering these prasad, the Goddess is pleased and fulfills the wishes of the devotees.

What are the ways to please the Goddess?

• Donate food and clothes to the needy
• Feed fruits and sweets to girls
• Wear yellow clothes
• Do not hold any grudge against anyone
• Meditate and have positive thoughts throughout the day.

What are the benefits of worship?

According to beliefs, worshiping Goddess Skandamata relieves devotees of all their suffering and bestows the blessing of children. Problems of life reduce, negativity goes away and confidence increases a lot. This form reminds us that the creative power of creation is within us too. We just have to awaken it.