Navratri Day 5 2026: Maa Skandamata Puja Vidhi, Mantra & Bhog

Navratri Day 5, Thursday, 15 October 2026, is dedicated to Maa Skandamata, the fifth manifestation of Goddess Durga. Revered as the divine mother of Lord Skanda, also known as Kartikeya or Murugan, she represents maternal love, protection, courage and spiritual wisdom.

Among the nine forms of Navdurga, Maa Skandamata holds a special place because her divine form beautifully combines the strength of the Goddess with the tenderness of a mother. Devotees worship her with prayers, flowers, mantra chanting and traditional offerings, seeking blessings for peace, family well-being and spiritual growth.

In this guide, discover the significance of Maa Skandamata, her divine appearance, the Navratri Day 5 mantra, simple home puja vidhi, traditional bhog, fasting customs and the spiritual lessons that make this day especially meaningful.

Who Is Maa Skandamata?

Maa Skandamata is worshipped as the fifth form of Goddess Durga during the nine sacred days of Shardiya Navratri. Her name combines Skanda, another name for Lord Kartikeya, with Mata, meaning mother. She is therefore revered as the mother of Lord Skanda, the divine warrior associated with courage and the protection of righteousness.

Her worship brings together two powerful qualities: the strength needed to face life's challenges and the compassion needed to nurture others. In Hindu devotional tradition, Maa Skandamata is a symbol of a mother's unconditional love, protective instinct and selfless care.

Devotees often pray to her for the well-being of their families, the welfare of children, harmony at home and the wisdom to make responsible decisions. Her significance, however, extends beyond parenthood. Her form reminds every devotee that genuine strength can be compassionate, patient and protective.

Why Is Maa Skandamata Worshipped on Navratri Day 5?

Each day of Navratri is traditionally dedicated to one of the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga. The fifth day honours Maa Skandamata, whose divine motherhood represents love guided by courage and wisdom.

The progression of Navratri offers devotees an opportunity to reflect on different qualities associated with the Goddess. Maa Skandamata's day encourages us to consider how we care for our loved ones, protect those who depend on us and fulfil our responsibilities with patience.

Her worship also offers a reminder that strength is not always expressed through confrontation. Sometimes, the greatest strength lies in remaining calm during a crisis, guiding a child with kindness, supporting a family member through hardship or standing up for someone who needs protection.

The Divine Appearance of Maa Skandamata

Maa Skandamata is commonly depicted with four arms, seated on a lotus or accompanied by a lion. In many traditional images, the infant Lord Skanda rests in her lap. She holds lotus flowers in two of her hands, while the remaining hands are shown in blessing gestures or other traditional poses.

1. Lord Skanda in Her Lap

The presence of infant Skanda represents the intimate bond between mother and child. It symbolises care, guidance, protection and the responsibility of nurturing the next generation.

2. The Lotus

The lotus is widely associated with purity, spiritual awakening and the ability to remain graceful despite difficult circumstances. In Maa Skandamata's imagery, it can inspire devotees to maintain inner clarity while navigating the challenges of everyday life.

3. The Blessing Gesture

Her blessing gesture represents compassion, reassurance and divine grace. It reminds devotees to approach prayer with sincerity and to cultivate kindness in their own actions.

4. The Lion

In depictions where Maa Skandamata is accompanied by a lion, the animal represents courage, power and fearlessness. The symbolism suggests that maternal tenderness and formidable strength can exist together.

Maa Skandamata Mantra for Navratri Day 5

One of the commonly recited mantras dedicated to Maa Skandamata is:

Devotees may chant this mantra during their morning or evening puja. Some traditions recommend reciting it 108 times with a mala, although the number of repetitions can vary according to personal and family practice.

How to Chant the Mantra

1. Choose a clean and peaceful place for prayer.
2. Sit comfortably and take a few calm breaths.
3. Bring your attention to Maa Skandamata and her divine form.
4. Recite the mantra slowly, with attention and devotion.
5. If it suits your practice, repeat it 11, 21 or 108 times.
6. Conclude with a prayer for family well-being, wisdom and peace.

You may also recite the Durga Chalisa, a suitable Durga stuti or the prayers traditionally followed in your home.

Maa Skandamata Puja Vidhi: Step-by-Step Guide

A simple home puja can be meaningful when performed with sincerity. The following routine provides a general guide; individual rituals differ according to family tradition, regional customs and temple practice.

Step 1: Prepare for the Puja

Bathe and wear clean clothes. Yellow is the popular colour associated with Navratri Day 5 in several 2026 colour guides. You may wear yellow if you wish to follow this custom, but it is not a universal religious requirement.

Step 2: Clean the Worship Area

Clean the place of worship and arrange an image or idol of Maa Skandamata. If you have already established a kalash for Navratri, continue caring for it according to your family's established practice.

Step 3: Light a Diya

Light a diya safely and offer your prayers. Keep it away from curtains, loose fabric, paper and other combustible materials. Never leave an open flame unattended.

Step 4: Offer Flowers and Puja Items

Offer fresh flowers, water, roli or kumkum and akshat if these are part of your customary worship. Yellow flowers may be chosen to complement the day's popular colour association.

Step 5: Offer Bhog

Present bananas or another suitable vegetarian offering to the Goddess. Keep the offering fresh and use clean utensils. Family customs may prescribe additional items or different offerings.

Step 6: Chant the Mantra

Recite “ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥” with devotion. You may follow the mantra with a stuti, Durga Chalisa or another prayer familiar to your household.

Step 7: Perform Aarti

Conclude the puja with the aarti followed in your family or local temple. Offer a final prayer for peace, wisdom, courage, family harmony and the well-being of all.

What Bhog Is Offered to Maa Skandamata?

Bananas are a traditional offering associated with Maa Skandamata in many popular Navratri observances. Devotees may also offer other fruits or vegetarian sweets according to regional and family customs.

Why Are Bananas Offered?

Bananas are a familiar and accessible fruit used in many forms of Hindu worship. As a simple devotional offering, they can be presented without an elaborate preparation. The significance of bhog lies in the act of offering with cleanliness, respect and devotion.

Other Suitable Offerings

• Fresh seasonal fruits
• Homemade vegetarian sweets
• Water and other customary puja items
• Foods permitted by your family's Navratri fasting tradition

There is no need to prepare an elaborate spread. Follow your family tradition and offer what is appropriate for your observance.

Navratri Day 5 Colour 2026: Yellow

Yellow is the popular colour associated with the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri in several 2026 colour guides. Devotees may wear yellow clothing or incorporate the colour into their festive decorations and puja arrangements.

Yellow is commonly associated with warmth, optimism, knowledge and happiness. As a symbolic choice, it can remind devotees to approach their responsibilities with hope and to bring warmth into their relationships.

Important: Navratri colour lists can vary by region, calendar and community. Yellow is a popular customary association for Day 5 in 2026, not a compulsory rule for every devotee.

Maa Skandamata Vrat Katha: The Message of Divine Motherhood

The central devotional theme associated with Maa Skandamata is her relationship with Lord Skanda, also known as Kartikeya. Her image as a mother holding her child expresses the power of love, guidance and protection.

Rather than treating every popular retelling as a verbatim passage from scripture, it is useful to distinguish the central devotional symbolism from stories that may vary across texts and regional traditions. For formal religious readings, devotees can consult the scriptures or prayer books followed in their own tradition.

A Devotional Reflection

The image of Maa Skandamata holding Lord Skanda invites us to reflect on the responsibility of caring for others. A mother guides her child not only through affection but also through patience, discipline and courage. Similarly, genuine care means helping loved ones grow while protecting them when they are vulnerable.

On Navratri Day 5, consider how you can bring this spirit into your own life. You might spend more time with your family, listen patiently to a child, support an elderly relative or help someone facing a difficult situation.

These small acts can turn the spiritual message of the day into meaningful action.

Spiritual Lessons from Maa Skandamata

1. Love Is a Form of Strength

Maa Skandamata's maternal form reminds us that love is not weakness. Caring for others often requires courage, patience, sacrifice and the ability to stand firm when circumstances become difficult.

2. Protect Those Who Depend on You

Family members, children, elderly people and vulnerable individuals may need practical support as well as affection. Her symbolism encourages devotees to take their responsibilities seriously.

3. Combine Courage with Compassion

Strength is most constructive when guided by wisdom. Maa Skandamata's divine form brings together maternal tenderness and the courage associated with her son, Lord Skanda.

4. Make Time for Family

Religious observances can be opportunities to reconnect with loved ones. A shared prayer, a thoughtful conversation or a small act of service can help strengthen family bonds.

5. Guide Others with Patience

True guidance involves more than giving instructions. It requires listening, setting a good example and allowing others to learn and grow. This is one of the enduring lessons of divine motherhood.

Can You Observe a Fast on Navratri Day 5?

Many devotees observe a Navratri fast according to their family, regional or personal tradition. Some consume fruit and permitted fasting foods, while others follow different dietary practices. Some devotees worship without fasting.

Fasting is a personal religious observance, not a measure of devotion. Choose an approach suitable for your circumstances. Anyone whose health or medication schedule could be affected by fasting should seek appropriate medical advice before changing their diet.

Frequently Asked Questions About Maa Skandamata

1. When is Navratri Day 5 in 2026?

Navratri Day 5 is observed on Thursday, 15 October 2026, in the commonly published day-by-day Navratri calendar.

2. Which Goddess is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri?

Maa Skandamata, the fifth manifestation of Goddess Durga and the mother of Lord Skanda, is worshipped on Day 5.

3. What is the mantra of Maa Skandamata?

A commonly recited mantra is “ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥”, transliterated as “Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah.”

4. What is the bhog for Maa Skandamata?

Bananas are a traditional offering associated with Maa Skandamata in many popular Navratri observances. Other offerings may vary according to family and regional custom.

5. What is the colour for Navratri Day 5 in 2026?

Yellow is the popular colour associated with Thursday, 15 October 2026, in several Navratri colour guides. Colour customs are not universal, so local traditions may differ.

6. Why is Maa Skandamata called the mother of Skanda?

Maa Skandamata is revered as the mother of Lord Skanda, also known as Kartikeya or Murugan. Her name expresses this divine maternal relationship.

7. How can I perform Maa Skandamata puja at home?

Clean the worship area, light a diya safely, offer flowers and suitable bhog, recite the Goddess's mantra and conclude with your customary prayer or aarti. Follow your family tradition where it differs.

8. What does Maa Skandamata teach devotees?

Her devotional symbolism highlights maternal love, protection, courage, patience and wisdom. It encourages devotees to care for others and fulfil their responsibilities with compassion.

Conclusion: Seek the Blessings of Maa Skandamata

Navratri Day 5 is an opportunity to honour Maa Skandamata and reflect on the strength of maternal love. Her divine form reminds us that compassion and courage are not opposing qualities; together, they can help us protect our loved ones, face difficulties and make wiser choices.

On Thursday, 15 October 2026, take a few moments for prayer, chant the Maa Skandamata mantra and express gratitude for the people who guide and support you. Whether you observe a fast, offer bananas as bhog or perform a simple home puja, let your worship be guided by sincerity and respect.

Jai Maa Skandamata! Jai Mata Di!

Further Reading and Sources

• Drik Panchang: Shardiya Navratri Dates for Lucknow, 2026
• The Economic Times: Navratri Day 5 2026 — Maa Skandamata Puja, Mantra and Bhog
• HinduAarti: Maa Skandamata Mantra, Colour and Puja Vidhi

Editorial note: Rituals, mantras, colours and food offerings may vary across communities. This article presents general devotional information and is not a substitute for guidance from your family priest or local tradition.