Devi Navratri Skandamata Puja 2026

Day Five of Devi Navratri: Skandamata Puja

Skandamata Puja falls on the fifth day of Devi (Sharad) Navratri, on Ashwayuja Shukla Panchami. On this day devotees worship Skandamata, the fifth of the Navadurgas, who appears as a mother holding her son Skanda (Kumaraswamy, Subrahmanya Swamy) on her lap. Families pray to her for children, the wellbeing of the household and wisdom.

Who Is Skandamata?

The demon Tarakasura had a boon that only a son of Shiva could kill him. Answering the prayers of the devas, Skanda was born to Shiva and Parvati, became the commander of the divine army and destroyed Tarakasura. As the mother of Skanda, Parvati is called Skandamata. She is shown with four arms, holding lotuses in two hands, carrying the child Skanda in one and blessing devotees with the other. She rides a lion and is often seated on a lotus, which is why she is also called Padmasana Devi.

Simhasanagata nityam padmashrita karadvaya | Shubhadastu sada devi Skandamata yashasvini ||

How to Perform the Puja

• Wake up early, bathe and clean the house and the puja space.
• If you set up the Kalasha (Ghatasthapana) on the first day, bow to it and the Akhanda Deepam before starting.
• Decorate the picture of the goddess with turmeric, kumkum, sandal paste and flowers, and take a sankalpam.
• Chant the shloka above or "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namaha". Those reading Lalita Sahasranamam or Durga Saptashati can continue their daily parayanam.
• Many families offer bananas as the special naivedyam of the day, along with payasam or pulihora.
• Offer a namaskaram to Kumaraswamy as well and close with camphor aarti.

Panchami in the Telugu States

During Sharannavaratri, Goddess Kanaka Durga on Indrakeeladri in Vijayawada appears in a different alankaram each day, and Dasara utsavams are held for Bhramaramba Devi at Srisailam. In Telangana, women continue the Bathukamma celebrations through these days. Many homes keep a Bommala Koluvu and invite married women in the evening for tamboolam. In some years the Moola nakshatra, linked to Saraswati Puja, also falls around this time.

Significance

Elders say that when you worship Skandamata, her grace reaches you just as it reaches the child on her lap. Couples hoping for children and parents praying for their children's studies and health hold this day dear. Her form reminds us that a mother's love is not only tenderness; it is also the strength that raises a protector of dharma.

May Skandamata bless every home with happy children and peace.