Ashada Gupta Navratri Skandamata Puja 2026

Day Five of Ashadha Gupta Navratri: Worship of Skandamata

Ashadha Shukla Panchami is the fifth day of Ashadha Gupta Navratri. On this day devotees worship Skandamata, the fifth Navadurga, the mother of Kumaraswamy, commander of the divine army. She stands for both a mother's tenderness and her protection.

Mother of Kumaraswamy

When the devas could no longer bear the cruelty of Tarakasura, Brahma told them that only a son of Shiva and Parvati could save them. The child born to them, Skanda (Subrahmanya Swamy), grew up as six-faced Shanmukha, led the army of the devas and destroyed Taraka. As the mother of this heroic son, Parvati is worshipped as Skandamata. The child Skanda sits on her lap while she holds lotuses in two hands and appears radiant on a lion or a lotus. Elders say that worshipping Skandamata is also worship of Kumaraswamy seated on her lap.

Puja at Home

• Bathe on Panchami morning, bow to the Kalasha and lamp and take the day's sankalpam.
• You may place a picture of Subrahmanya Swamy beside the goddess and offer flowers to both together.
• Chant "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namaha"; since this is a Gupta Navratri, fix a set number of repetitions as your discipline.
• Many families offer bananas as naivedyam. Bellam payasam may also be offered.
• In the evening, having children sit with you and recite Devi stotras suits the spirit of the day.

What Makes Ashadha Panchami Special

Ashadha is known for the worship of village goddesses and for Bonalu. Amid these public jataras, Gupta Navratri sadhana is a quiet puja that happens inside the home and inside the mind. Devotees of Subrahmanya Swamy remember shrines such as Mopidevi today and worship mother and son together. Couples hoping for a child observe this Panchami with special care.

Blessings of the Day

Devotees believe that sincere worship of Skandamata brings the blessing of children, their health and education, and unity in the family. Just as a mother protects her child, her form assures us that the Divine Mother protects her devotees.

May Skandamata, together with Kumaraswamy, keep all our families safe and happy.