Maa Skandamata, the Goddess of divine Motherhood worshipped on Day 5 of Navratri: Know more about Puja rituals & mantras, कर लें माँ स्कंदमाता के आने की तैयारी

Maa Skandamata is worshipped and celebrated on the fifth day of Navratri. Navratri is a 9 day long festival, which is celebrated across the country of India, but people have fondly given it different names across different regions. It is called Navratri in Western and Central parts of India and Durga Puja or Durga Pujo in eastern and northeastern parts of India. Maa Skandamata is the mother of Bhagwan (Lord) Skanda who is affectionately known as Bhagwan (Lord) Kartikeya was the chief or the commander of the divine army which was to set to kill the very powerful demon, Tarakasura. and thus she is given her name.

Maa Skandamata is an embodiment of strength, power, a mother’s love, perception and intelligence. Praying to her on the fifth day of Navratri will bring to her followers and believers loads of wealth and prosperity, peace, harmony, positivity and spiritual enlightenment. the devotees

The Divine Mother Form of Maa Durga: Maa Skandamata

The fifth day of Navratri is dedicated to Maa Skandamata, who is a form of Maa Durga which is an amalgamation of two very different qualities. She is the affectionate mother of Lord Skanda (Bhagwan Kartikeya) and at the same time a vigorous, powerful form of Goddess Durga. She rides the lion and is also seated on the lotus. Maa Skandamata in all her images and portraits can be seen holding Lord Skanda or Bhagwan Kartikeya in her lap like the very loving and nurturing mother that we all have. Maa Skandamata is an emblem of a mother’s love, of strength, of power, of courage, of always doing the right thing and of utter and vast wisdom.

Praying to the very divine and loving Maa Skandamata is said to activate the Vishuddha (throat) chakra, which helps in bringing lucidity and cognitive clarity. It also helps open your inner spirituality, which brings in a clear mind and thought process which in tur sorts out any obstacles and misunderstanding in relationships. bringing clarity of thought, spiritual growth, and harmony in relationships. In her portrayal, Maa can be seen having four arms, out of which two are seen holding lotus flowers, one is seen carrying her son Lord Skanda (Bhagwan Kartikeya) and the last arm is shown in Abhay Mudra which is signal of fearlessness and bravery. She rides a lion which is a representation of strength, gallantry and heroism.

Spiritual importance and significance of Maa Skandamata

Maa Skandamata is worshipped on Day 5 of Navratri, and it is believed that praying to her on this day opens and awakenn the Vishuddha Chakra or throat chakra, which is the fifth primary Chakra in the chakra system, and it governs the following traits: communication, self-expression and purity. The Vishuddha Chakra when activated helps in providing wisdom, expression and spiritual insight.

Followers who pray to Maa on this day can expect clear expression, clarity of mind and thoughts and mental and spiritual peace. Maa Skandamata blessed the devotees with positivity, the power to diffuse negative energies, and brings to life their desires of health, wealth, happy life and sorted relationships. Parents especially mother have another level of devotion to Maa and seek her blessing for long and healthy life of their children. Couples who have not yet been blessed with children vow to Maa to embrace the gift of parenthood.

Maa in this avatar has a double or a dual role both as mother and also as a mentor warrior. She teaches empathy and calmness and also that everyone needs to do their part to remove negativity and establish the fact that good always wins over evil. She makes us have faith in the fact that love and strength can be together and they are not exclusive.

Puja Vidhi, customs and rituals for puja for Maa Skandamata

The following rituals should be followed with full faith and devotion to perform the Puja for Maa Skandamata:

1. Wake early and after a bath properly clean the puja area. Decorate the table or temple with hibuscus flowers, lotus flowers and green leaves especially of mango if available or any other green leaf for that matter.
2. Get a kalash or a scared poet filled with holy water or sprinkled with holy water and put 5 numbered mango leaves and coconut on the kalash, this gives invitation to the Goddess,
3. Then light ghee diyas and lamps and incense to fondly call upon Maa Skandamata.
4. Offer fresh fruirs, keer (cooked rice with milk and sugar) and green vegetable like pumpkin. Lotus flowers if available should be specifically offered.
5. Chant Durga Saptashati and recite Mantrasto reuest for blessings of Maa. Puja should be concluded with Arati.

Mantras and chants of Maa Skandamata

Some important mantras to ask for blessings of Maa include:

• Main Mantra: ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः
  “Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah”
  
• Dhyana Mantra: सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रित कर्द्वय |शुभदस्तु सदा देवी स्कंदमाता यशस्विनी
  “Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashrit Kardvaya |
  Shubhdastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini ||”

Repeatedly chanting these mantras with faith and love blesses everyone with peace, love, healthy relationships, prosperity, strength, courage and perspective

What does the Color Green signify on the fifth Day of Navratri

Day 5 of Navratri is the day of worship of Maa Skandamata, and green is the colour of the day. Each day of Navratri is dedicated to a different form of Navdurga and is represented by a different colour.

The colour green is associated with prosperity and new start and beginnings. It also signifies represents development, advancement, productiveness and balance. If one wears green clothes on this day, it said that it makes Maa especially happy and thus heals your wounds and shows you the path for new beginnings and success.

The green colour has a special serenity and charm to it which a personification of the combined traits and qualities of Maa Skandamata.

Conclusion

The day for worship of Maa Skandamata, the Goddess of Motherhood is a commemoration of divine motherhood, strength, and spiritual enlightenment. Praying to her not only brings worldly happiness but also mental and spiritual achievement. Maa Skandamata is here to fulfill your wishes, just pray to her and embrace her love with devotion and dedication.