Day 5
Goddess Skandamata
October 15, 2026
Each night honors a different form of the goddess. Complete your mantra, wear the sacred color, and observe the fast.
Goddess Skandamata
The fifth day honors Skandamata, the Goddess as mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), commander of the celestial armies. She is worshipped with the infant god on her lap — divinity holding divinity. Her blessing is the pure protective love of a mother, and it is said that pleasing the child pleases the mother twice over.
A Famous Tale of the Goddess
The demon Tarakasura held a boon that only a son of Lord Shiva could kill him, and so he terrorized the three worlds unchecked. From the union of Shiva and Parvati came Skanda, and Parvati took the form of Skandamata to raise and prepare him.
She trained her child herself, then sent him to lead the army of the gods. Tarakasura fell to him exactly as the boon had allowed — which is why this form is worshipped by parents for their children, and by anyone who must prepare someone else for a hard task.
Iconography & Symbolism
Goddess Skandamata is fair, four-armed, and seated on a lotus with her son.
The Mount (Vahana)
She rides a fierce lion while carrying her child — motherhood that is tender and dangerous at once.
The Child on Her Lap
The six-headed infant Skanda sits on her lap. Worshipping the mother blesses the child, and worshipping the child pleases the mother.
The Lotus Hands
Two of her four hands hold lotus flowers, one holds her son, and one rests in the gesture of blessing.
Her Golden Complexion
She is described as fair and radiant, seated on a fully open lotus — which earns her the name Padmasana.
Astrological & Chakra Connections
Ruling Planet: Mercury (Budh)
She governs Mercury, the planet of intellect and speech. Her worship clears Budh afflictions, sharpening study, memory, and communication.
Chakra Connection: Vishuddha (Throat Chakra)
Day 5 works on the throat center, where truth is spoken cleanly and a mother's words become blessings.
How to Do the Puja
Auspicious Color of the Day
Yellow (Symbolizing brightness, learning, and cheerfulness).
Favorite Flower
Yellow flowers or red roses.
Special Bhog (Offering)
Bananas. Offering bananas is believed to keep the body healthy and the family harmonious.
Step-by-Step Ritual:
Bathe early and wear yellow.
Water the barley sprouts and light the lamp and incense.
Place the image of Skandamata with Skanda and offer yellow flowers.
Offer bananas as bhog, and feed a child if you can.
Chant the Skandamata mantra 108 times.
Perform the Aarti, praying for the children of the household.
Special Milestones: Lalita Panchami
The fifth day is also observed as Lalita Panchami, dedicated to Goddess Lalita Tripura Sundari. In many homes across Gujarat and Maharashtra, books, manuscripts, and musical instruments are brought before the altar this evening and worshipped as living forms of knowledge — the first of the festival's two great learning rites, the second being the Saraswati worship of Day 7.
Sacred Mantras
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah
(ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः)
(Chant this 108 times using a rudraksha or lotus-seed mala).
The Chant (Japa)
Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya | Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini ||
“May the glorious Skandamata, seated always upon her lion with lotuses in her two hands, be forever the giver of good.”
The Dhyana Mantra (Meditation)
Next Days
Day 6
Goddess Katyayani
October 16
Represents: The aggressive, martial warrior spirit born specifically to battle demonic forces.
Day 7
Goddess Kalaratri
October 17
Represents: A ferocious, dark destroyer of ignorance and negativity who grants absolute fearlessness to her devotees.
Day 8
Goddess Mahagauri
October 18
Represents: Deep serenity, absolute purity, and the cleansing of all past sins and karmic burdens.