Magha Gupta Navratri Skandamata Puja 2026

Skandamata Puja falls on Magha Shukla Panchami, the fifth day of Magha Gupta Navratri. Goddess Skandamata, the fifth Navadurga form, is Parvati as the mother of Skanda, our Subrahmanya Swamy, whom she holds in her lap. In Telugu homes this same day is also Sri Panchami (Vasanta Panchami), when Goddess Saraswati is worshipped.

The story of Skandamata

The demon Tarakasura had a boon that only a son of Shiva could kill him, and he tormented the devas. Skanda (Kumaraswamy), born of the radiance of Shiva and Parvati, became commander of the divine army and destroyed Tarakasura. As the mother of this heroic son, Parvati is worshipped as Skandamata. She has four arms: two hold lotuses, one holds the child Skanda and one is raised in abhaya. Seated on a lotus, she is also called Padmasana Devi, and her vahanam is the lion. Yogic tradition links her with the Vishuddha chakra.

A day shared with Sri Panchami

On Magha Shukla Panchami, Saraswati Puja and aksharabhyasam for children are widely performed across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and large numbers of families take children to the Gnana Saraswati temple at Basara for aksharabhyasam. Families keeping Gupta Navratri usually combine Skandamata Puja with Saraswati Puja in the morning, a fitting pairing, since a child in the mother's lap needs both protection and knowledge.

Puja steps

• After bathing, worship the kalasham and Skandamata's picture with turmeric and kumkum.
• Offer lotuses or yellow flowers.
• Recite the dhyana shloka "Simhasanagata nityam padmashrita karadvaya, shubhadastu sada devi Skandamata yashasvini".
• Chant "Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah" 108 times.
• Bananas are the customary naivedyam in many places; payasam or pulihora may also be offered.
• Remember Subrahmanya Swamy too, and let mother and children offer harathi together.

Significance

Worshipping Skandamata is believed to bring the blessings of both the Mother and Kumaraswamy. Mothers pray to her especially for children, for their wellbeing and for progress in their studies.

May Mother Skandamata protect every family with her loving care.