Navratri 2026 · Day 5 · Thursday, 15 October 2026
Navratri Day 5: Maa Skandamata
नवरात्रि दिन 5: माँ स्कंदमाता
Maa Skandamata, mother of Lord Kartikeya, blesses her devotees with a mother's love.
- Colour of the day
- Yellow
- Tithi
- Panchami
- Bhog
- Bananas
- Ruling planet
- Mercury
Maa Skandamata Mantra
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah
Chant 108 times with a rosary (mala) during the day's puja.
Dhyana / Stuti Mantra
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashritakaradvaya Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini
Meaning: May the glorious Skandamata, ever seated on the lion throne with lotuses in both hands, always grant auspiciousness.
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Maa Skandamata Rupena Samsthita Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah
Form of Maa Skandamata
Maa Skandamata sits on a lotus (and is also called Padmasana Devi), holding the infant Skanda (Kartikeya) on her lap. She has four arms and rides a lion.
Maa Skandamata Katha
The demon Tarakasura had a boon that only a son of Shiva could kill him. Shiva and Parvati's son Skanda - also called Kartikeya or Murugan - became the commander of the gods' army and defeated him.
As the mother of Skanda, the Goddess is worshipped as Skandamata. When devotees worship her, the infant Skanda in her lap is worshipped too.
The poet Kalidasa is said to have received his gift of poetry by her grace.
Blessings
A mother's protection, wisdom and blessings for children.
Day 5 Puja Vidhi
- Wake early, bathe and wear yellow if you can.
- Worship the kalash and light the lamp (or tend the Akhand Jyoti).
- Place a picture of Maa Skandamata and offer roli, akshat and yellow flowers.
- Offer the bhog: bananas.
- Chant "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah" 108 times, then recite the stuti above.
- Read the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati.
- End with the Jai Ambe Gauri aarti and share the prasad.
Questions about Day 5
Which goddess is worshipped on Navratri Day 5?
Maa Skandamata (स्कंदमाता) is worshipped on day 5 of Navratri. In 2026 this falls on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
What is the colour of Navratri Day 5 in 2026?
The colour for Navratri Day 5 (Thursday, 15 October 2026) is Yellow.
What is the bhog for Maa Skandamata?
Bananas is offered to Maa Skandamata. Her favourite flowers are yellow flowers.
What is the mantra of Maa Skandamata?
The main mantra is "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah" (ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥). Chant it 108 times with a rosary during the day's puja.