Day 5 of Navratri
Skandamata
स्कन्दमाता
Mother of Skanda (Kartikeya / Murugan)
Color
Green
Planet
Mercury
Mount
Lion (sometimes seated on white lotus)
Chakra
Viśuddha (throat)
Sacred story
She holds the child-form of Skanda (Kartikeya), commander of the celestial army, in her lap. Personifies the highest expression of motherhood — fierce protection through tender love. Worshippers gain devotion + intelligence + warrior-spirit all at once.
Iconography
Four-armed, fair complexion, seated on a lion or a white lotus (Padmasini). Upper hands hold lotuses, one lower hand holds baby Skanda, the other gives abhaya. Always smiling at the child.
Weapons & mudras
- • Holds infant Skanda in lap
- • Lotus in two upper hands
- • Right lower hand in abhaya mudra
Daily mantra
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah
Beej mantra (advanced)
ह्रीं स्कन्दमात्रे नमः
Recite 108× on Day 5 of Navratri. Best at Day 5 of Navratri (Panchami). Morning ideal..
Prasad / bhog
Banana
कदली फल
Sacred flower
Yellow rose
Blessing & what she grants
Children blessings (sant�n prapti), intelligence for students, victory in just battles, removal of childhood diseases.
Best-suited for these devotees
Avoid today (per tradition)
- • Scold a child unjustly today
- • Eat non-veg food
Want a Day-5 Skandamata puja done at a temple?
A pandit can perform the full Skandamata sadhana for you with the right muhurat — color, mantra, prasad, flower offered exactly as Devi Mahatmya prescribes.