Maa Skandamata, the fifth form of Navadurga, is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri. She is known as the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), the commander of the divine army and the warrior god who defeated powerful demons.
Nav = nine and ratri = night. As the name implies, Navratri is a festival of nine consecutive nights. Navratri is a time of fasting, prayer, and devotion, and it is marked by the performance of puja (worship) ceremonies in temples and homes.
Navratri honors Navdurga … Nav Durga … nine forms of Durga.
They are:
These nine forms celebrate, honor and worship nine different incarnations, nine different colors and nine different qualities.
Skandamata
Skandamata is the fifth form of the Hindu goddess Durga, who is worshipped during the nine-day festival of Navratri. The word “Skandamata” means “the mother of Skanda,” who is also known as Lord Kartikeya, the commander-in-chief of the army of gods. She is depicted with four arms, holding her son Skanda in one arm and a lotus flower in another arm.
The Story of Maa Skandamata
Once, the demon Tarakasura had become extremely powerful due to a boon that he could only be killed by the son of Lord Shiv. Since Shiv had renounced worldly life after the death of Sati, the gods were worried that no son would be born to him, making Tarakasura invincible.
To bring Shiv back to family life, Goddess Parvati (Maa Skandamata) performed intense penance and finally married him. Later, she gave birth to Skanda (Kartikeya), who grew up to be a fierce warrior. As predicted, Skanda eventually led the divine army and defeated Tarakasura, restoring peace in the universe.
Why Do We Worship Maa Skandamata During Navratri?
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Symbol of Motherly Love and Protection
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Maa Skandamata represents unconditional love, compassion, and motherly care. Worshipping her invokes maternal blessings and protection.
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Bestows Courage and Strength
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Since she is the mother of the great warrior Kartikeya, she grants bravery and confidence to her devotees, helping them overcome challenges.
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Removes Obstacles and Brings Prosperity
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Worshipping her removes hardships and difficulties, bringing peace, success, and happiness in life.
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Grants Wisdom and Knowledge
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She blesses her devotees with intelligence and clarity of thought, making her worship beneficial for students and seekers of knowledge.
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As per the Hindu mythology, Skandamata is believed to be the embodiment of motherly love and affection. She is associated with the Vishuddh Chakra or the throat chakra, which represents communication and expression. Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri, and her worship is believed to bestow divine grace and blessings on the devotees. Her worship is also believed to help in removing obstacles and achieving success in all endeavors.
During the fifth day of Navratri, devotees offer prayers and perform aarti to Skandamata. It is also believed that offering bananas to her can help in achieving success and removing negative energies.
Overall, Skandamata holds great significance in Navratri as she represents the power of motherly love, protection, and care. Her worship is believed to bestow blessings of success, prosperity, and happiness to the devotees.
