On the fifth day of Navaratri, called Panchami, Hindu devotees worship Goddess Skandamata, the fifth of the nine Navadurga forms of Durga.
Devotees see her as the mother of Kartiekya and link her to motherhood, compassion, protection and nurturing strength. In Nepal, her worship falls within Dashain, though rituals differ by family, temple and region.
Who she is?
The name " Skandamata" joins Skanda, another name for Kartikeya, and Mata meaning mother. She is Goddess Parvati in her maternal form, holding her young son in her lap. Kartikeya, the son of Parvati and Lord Shiva, is linked with courage, military leadership and protecting the divine order.
Kartikeya is born to lead the divine forces against demonic powers that threaten the gods. He grows into a commander linked with discipline and the restoration of cosmic order. Devotional readings see her image as showing that motherhood is a source of protection, resilience and strength. Some traditions teach that worshipping her honours both the Goddess and her son.
Her form and symbols
Skandamata is commonly shown with four arms, holding two lotus flowers, with the infant Skanda in her lap and one hand raised in blessing. A lion is her mount, and some images place her on a lotus seat. Details vary by artistic and regional tradition.
The child stands for maternal love and the duty of guiding the next generation.
The lotus stands for purity and staying unstained amid worldly difficulty.
The lion stands for courage and protective power, joined here with gentleness.
The raised palm, called Abhaya Mudra, signals reassurance and protection.
Why devotees worship her
Devotees pray to Skandamata for children’s welfare and family harmony. They link her lion and her son to courage and protecting the vulnerable, and read her image as teaching that strength should be guided by care and patience. Others seek peace, compassion and spiritual growth.
When she is worshipped
Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri, the nine-day festival of Durga’s forms. She follows Kushmanda and comes before Katyayani.
How families can worship at home
- Clean the space. Bathe and wear clean clothes if practical. Clean the altar and place an image of Skandamata on it. If your family set up a kalash at Ghatasthapana, continue its daily worship.
- Light the lamp. Light a diya in a fire-safe place. Never leave a flame or burning incense unattended.
- State your intention. A sankalpa is a simple statement of why you worship. You may pray for wisdom, courage or family well-being.
- Meditate and chant. Look at the image and think of her form: the child, the lotus flowers and the lion. Repeat the mantra below slowly.
- Make offerings. Offer flowers, water, rice (akshata), and kumkum or sandalwood paste if your family uses them. A banana or other fruit may be offered as bhog, food presented in devotion.
- Perform aarti and share prasad. Move a lit lamp gently before the image while singing a familiar Devi aarti. Then share the fruit or food as prasad with family and close with a short prayer.
The mantra and offerings
The main mantra is ॐ देवी स्कन्दमात्रे नमः (Om Devi Skandamatre Namah), meaning salutations to Goddess Skandamata.
Offerings vary. Bananas and other fruit are common, and some traditions use milk sweets such as kheer. Lotus is preferred where available, though some guides recommend white or red flowers.
Where she sits among the Navadurga
Skandamata’s maternal form adds a dimension to the Navadurga sequence. Devotional readings present Durga not only as a warrior who defeats harmful forces but also as a mother who nurtures, guides and protects, so her worship reminds devotees that courage and compassion go together. Dashain in Nepal is a major festival centred on Goddess Durga, family gatherings and blessings.
What comes next
The festival continues with Katyayani, the sixth form, on the next day of Navaratri. Exact dates depend on the calendar and local panchang.
