Original text
नाम मंत्र: ॐ देवी स्कन्दमात्रे नमः॥ प्रार्थना (ध्यान श्लोक): सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥ स्तुति: या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
Transliteration
Naam mantra: Om devi skandamatre namah || Prarthana (dhyana shloka): Sinhasanagata nityam padmanchita karadvaya Shubhadastu sada devi skandamata yashasvini || Stuti: Ya devi sarvabhuteshu man skandamata rupena sansthita Namastasyai namastasyai namastasyai namo namah ||
Who is Maa Skandamata?
Maa Skandamata is the fifth of the Navdurga, the nine forms of Maa Durga worshipped on the nine days of Navratri. Her name means "the mother of Skanda" — Kartikeya, the commander of the gods' army. In Shardiya Navratri 2026 she is worshipped on Day 5 (Panchami), Thursday 15 October.
Skanda (Kartikeya) was born to destroy the demon Tarakasura, who could be killed only by a son of Shiva. In this form Parvati is worshipped as his mother, with the infant Skanda seated in her lap. Tradition says that worshipping Skandamata brings the blessing of Skanda as well — the mother and son together.
She is the form of motherly love and protection, and devotees especially pray to her for their children's well-being. In the yogic reading, she is linked with purity of the heart and mind.
Her form
She has four arms: two hold lotuses, one holds Skanda in her lap, and one is raised in blessing. She is seated on a lotus — hence Padmasana Devi — and also rides a lion.
Mantras of Maa Skandamata
Naam mantra: ॐ देवी स्कन्दमात्रे नमः॥ — chant 108 times on a mala.
Prarthana (dhyana shloka):
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चित करद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Stuti:
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥
The stuti is modelled on the Devi Mahatmya's "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu" hymn, with her name in place: "To the Devi who dwells in all beings in the form of Maa Skandamata — salutations to her, again and again."
Puja vidhi on Day 5
- Wake early, bathe and wear clean clothes; light the lamp before the kalash and the Devi's image.
- Take a sankalpa for the day's worship (and the Navratri vrat, if you are keeping it).
- Invoke Maa Skandamata with the prarthana shloka above, picturing her form.
- Offer water, roli, akshat, red flowers or a red chunri, dhoop and a ghee lamp.
- Offer the day's bhog: bananas, traditionally for good health.
- Chant the naam mantra 108 times, then the stuti; read the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati if you can.
- Close with the aarti, Jai Ambe Gauri, and distribute the prasad.
The nine days
← Day 4: Maa Kushmanda · Day 6: Maa Katyayani →
See all nine forms on the Maa Durga page, and dates and muhurat in Shardiya Navratri 2026.
Frequently asked questions
On which day of Navratri is Maa Skandamata worshipped?
On the fifth day (Panchami); in Shardiya Navratri 2026 that is Thursday 15 October.
What is the mantra of Maa Skandamata?
The naam mantra is ॐ देवी स्कन्दमात्रे नमः॥, chanted 108 times, along with her prarthana shloka and the "Ya Devi sarvabhuteshu" stuti.
What bhog is offered to Maa Skandamata?
Traditionally bananas, traditionally for good health. Customs vary between families and regions.
Who is in the lap of Maa Skandamata?
Her son Skanda (Kartikeya) as an infant.
Why do parents pray to Skandamata?
Because she is the mother-form of the Devi, worshipped for the protection and well-being of children.
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