Navratri: The ten-day festival honors Goddess Shakti or Goddess Durga. On each day of the festival, Navratri, which literally translates to “nine nights,” worships the nine avatars of Goddess Durga.
Maa Skandmata is honored on the fifth day of the festival.
Maa Skandmata:
It is believed that when Goddess Durga became Lord Skanda’s mother, she became the avatar of Maa Skandmata. This Durga avatar rules over the planet Budha. Devotees worship this avatar of Goddess Durga in order to obtain Lord Kartikeya’s blessings, as only Maa Skandmata is believed to have this power.
Significance of Navratri Day 5:
Maa Skandmata has four hands, one of which is holding Kartikeya, the infant. Maa Skandmata, the motherhood avatar, is known for being kind, compassionate, and full of love for others. On this day, devotees worship this avatar in order to rid themselves of “negative thoughts” and achieve health, wealth, and prosperity.
Day 5 of Navratri 2022 color:
Green is the color of the day because it represents growth, nature, and energy.
Day 5 of Navratri: Puja Vidhi, Samagri, and Shubh Muhurat:
According to Drik Panchang, the Brahma Muhurta will begin at 4:37 AM on September 30 and end at 5:25 AM. Abhijit Muhurta will begin at 11:47 a.m. and conclude at 12:35 p.m. Maa Skandmata is offered yellow flowers, Gangajal, kumkum and ghee. A special bhog comprising of a variety of delicacies prepared with banana is also offered to the goddess.
Maa Skandmata Mantra, Prarthana and Stotra:
1) Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah॥
2) Simhasanagata Nityam Padmanchita Karadvaya।
Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini॥
3) Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah॥