Navratri Durga Puja 2026

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु शक्तिरूपेण संस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Yā Devī sarvabhūteṣu śakti-rūpeṇa saṃsthitā,

namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namaḥ.

Navratri Day 5 – Thursday, 15 October 2026

Invoking Skandamata Devi

The ladies may wear Yellow today

Skandamata Ma

On the fifth day of the Moon, Panchami, we invoke and worship the Devi Skandamata, who as a further manifestation of Parvati, gives birth to Kartikeya, also known as Skanda.

Even being the son of Parvati and Shiva, He was raised by the 6 sisters, the Kritikas, whose stars shine so brightly, and so close to Earth, who the Greeks knew as the 7 sisters, the Pleides.

She is pure compassion and nurturing, leaving the smiting of demons to her six-headed son, who we see sitting in her lap with bow and arrow, for he leads the divine armies. She blesses us with her “no fear” abhaya mudra shown by one hand, holding her son securely with another, while raising 2 hands with 2 lotuses.

The worshipper of Devi Skandamata, besides receiving the blessings of protection and prosperity for the home, receives the added blessing of Swami Kartikeya, who, as the divine commander, slays demons.

The following stuti may be used for her invocation and worship:

या देवी सर्वभूतेषु स्कन्दमातारूपेण संस्थिता।

नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Yā Devī sarvabhūteṣu Skandamātā-rūpeṇa saṃsthitā,

namas tasyai namas tasyai namas tasyai namo namaḥ.

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया।

शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥

siṃhāsanagatā nityaṃ padmāśritakaradvayā,

śubhadāstu sadā devī skandamātā yaśasvinī.