Navarathri Day 5 Significance | Maa Skandamata
Updated on: 14.09.2024
For many people around the world, Navarathri is the perfect time to show the depth of one’s true devotion to the Goddess Maa Durga. The Navadurgas are the highlight of this awe-inspiring Indian festival, with each of the nine days dedicated to one of the nine divine manifestations of Devi Maa Durga.
Top 10s Only presents a brief glimpse of the traditions associated with Day 5 of the Navarathri festival that will be celebrated on October 7, 2024 (Monday).
In case you want to know more about the significance of Day 4 of the Navarathri festival, you can read about it here on our site!
Significances Of Day 5 Of Navarathri
The fifth day of Navrathri is dedicated to the Goddess Maa Skandamata, another divine aspect of Goddess Maa Durga. The Goddess Maa Skandamata is the mother of Lord Karthikeya, who is also called Lord Skanda. She is said to offer wisdom and knowledge to her devotees. Worshipping Goddess Maa Skandamata purifies the heart of devotees.
Let us have a look at the significance of this day.
1. Name Of Goddess Worshipped On Day 5 Of Navarathri
Day 5 of the Navarathri festival is dedicated to Goddess Maa Skandamata. The name ‘Skandamata’ is a blend of two words – ‘Skanda’ which refers to Lord Karthikeya, & ‘Mata’ which means mother. As the name suggests, Goddess Maa Skandamata is the ‘mata’ or mother of ‘Skanda’ i.e. Lord Karthikeya or Muruga. She is referred to as the ‘Goddess of Fire’ as her boundless energy protects her ardent devotees from evil. She is seen seated on the lotus and therefore she is also called ‘Padmasini’. She is worshipped in the form of the Goddesses Maa Parvati, Devi Maheshwari, and Mata Gauri.
2. The Speciality Of The Goddess Worshipped On Day 5 Of Navarathri
On Navarathri day 5, pujas are performed for Navadurga Devi Maa Skandamata. She is depicted as having four hands and three eyes. Two of her hands hold lotus flowers. One hand safely holds her infant son Lord Skanda on her lap, while the other hand is seen in the pose of the fear-dispelling Abhaya Mudra. It is also said to be a posture that grants boons with grace to her devotees. She is radiant and is seated on a lotus. Her vehicle is a lion.
As per legend, two demons Surapadma and his younger brother Tarakasura tricked Lord Brahma into granting a boon. As per the boon, the brothers can be killed only by a child born to Lord Shiva. However, since there was no mention of the Goddess, the child had to be born only to a male God Shiva, which was nearly impossible. Thinking of themselves as invincible, both the demons started mass destruction on Earth.
The Devatas joined together and requested Lord Shiva to help. The lord of destruction let out six sparks from his third eye. Agri (God of Fire) carried each of these sparks and kept one lotus in the pond called Sarvana. Every spark took the form of a baby and hence six babies were formed and handed over to the six kritikas (stars of the constellation Pleidas)or Karthikai pengal. The babies were raised and nurtured by these kritikas and came in front of Maa Durga as 6 toddlers. When Maa Durga saw all of them, she immediately embraced them, the bodies combined and Karthikeya took the form of a young boy with six heads. He sits on the lap of one of the powerful incarnations of Maa Durga, Goddess Skandamata.
Lord Skanda becomes the one to kill the demon Tarakasur. Goddess Skandamata groomed Lord Shiva’s son, who destroyed the demons. Goddess Skandamata’s legend symbolizes the mother-son relationship and is evident in the fact that she sits in her stance calm and serene, with her child in hand. Her abode is the Vishuddha (throat) chakra.
3. The Colour On Day 5 Of Navarathri
The Navarathri day 5 colour is White. White denotes purity, peace and serenity.
4. The Sweets To Be Offered On Day 5 Of Navarathri
As Navarathri day 5 bhog, payasam (sweet milk-based pudding), or sakkarai pongal (sweet pongal) are prepared and offered to the Goddess. Payasam can be made in different varieties using milk, rice, sugar, jaggery, and cardamom.
5. The Snacks To Be Offered On Day 5 Of Navarathri
Along with the Navarathri day 5 prasadam, snacks like ven pongal, mocha payir sundal and bengal gram vada are usually prepared.
6. The Other Food Items To Be Offered On Day 5 Of Navarathri
Fruits, especially bananas are offered to Goddess Skandamata as part of Navarathri day 5 naivedyam as it is believed to be her favourite fruit.
7. The Flowers To Be Offered On Day 5 Of Navarathri
Along with Navarathri day 5 aarti, flowers like Pavazha malli also known as Paarijatham, coral jasmine, night jasmine and Mullai are offered to the Goddess. In addition, flowers of red colour are also offered to the Goddess.
8. The Rangoli On Day 5 Of Navarathri
Rangoli or kolam in the shape of a bird drawn with Bengal gram flour is another speciality of the 5th day of Navarathri. Beautiful bird shapes are drawn before prayer rituals to mark the celebration of this day.
9. The Raaga On Day 5 Of Navarathri
Singing devotional songs in Pantuvarali raaga during Navarathri day 5 aarti will please the Goddess. It is commonly known as Kamavardhini raaga and is said to increase desires.
10. The Belief On Day 5 Of Navarathri
On Navarathri day 5, the Goddess Skandamata is worshipped with the belief that she bestows devotees with salvation, power, wealth, prosperity, and fame. Moreover, she is kind-hearted and blissful. Therefore, devotees should free themselves of worldly bondage and pray to her with absolute devotion.
Sixty-four forms of science and art are born from Goddess Skandamata and thereby, she is believed to be the perfect example of a Goddess with knowledge and action. Worshipping her also evokes her son Lord Skanda’s blessings; therefore, devotees are blessed twice.
Day 5 of Navarathri is dedicated to the mother form of Goddess Durga and worshipped to get her double blessings. Different rituals and delicacies mark the speciality of this day.
So those were the significance of the 5th day of Navarathri. Did we cover it all? Do let us know in the comments.
You can also look up the top 10 significance of day 6 of Navarathri and let us know your thoughts.
