Chaitra Navratri 2024 : Day 5 Maa Skandamata, Puja Vidhi and Significance

• 08 Apr 2024
• Comments (0)

Every year, India comes alive with the vibrant festival of Chaitra Navratri. This nine day celebration honors the many forms of Devi Durga, the powerful Hindu goddess. Each day focuses on a different aspect of the divine feminine, and the fifth day of Chaitra Navratri Nholds special significance – it's the day to worship Maa Skandamata, the loving mother goddess.

Who is Maa Skandmata?

Imagine a kind mother holding her son close. That's Maa Skandmata, also called Padmasana Devi. She sits on a lotus flower, a symbol of purity, and holds a lotus, a sword, and blessings for her devotees. Her son, Lord Skanda (Karttikeya), rests in her arms, representing the special bond between mother and child.

Read More - चैत्र नवरात्रि 2024 का पहला दिन - माँ शैलपुत्री की पूजा

Why Worship Maa Skandmata?

Maa Skandmata is the symbol of motherhood. She showers her devotees with love, protects them, and guides them with wisdom. Here's why people worship her during Navratri:

1. For a Happy Family: Couples who want children or a strong family life pray to Maa Skandmata for her blessings.

2. Stronger Parent-Child Bond: The image of mother and son reminds us of the importance of a loving relationship between parents and children.

3. Courage and Knowledge: Maa Skandmata is believed to give devotees the strength and knowledge to overcome challenges and succeed in life.

4. Spiritual Growth: The lotus flower she sits on represents purity and enlightenment. Worshipping her helps us on our spiritual journey.

Celebrating Maa Skandmata Puja: A Simple Guide

The fifth day of Navratri involves special prayers (Maa Skandmata Puja) and offerings to Maa Skandmata. Here's a simple guide to follow:

1. Get Ready: Start by taking a bath and wearing clean clothes, preferably yellow (considered lucky for Maa Skandmata).

2. Create a Sacred Space: Find a clean spot in your home and place a pot (Kalash) filled with water, mango leaves, and a coconut. Pray to Lord Ganesha for a smooth puja.

3. Welcome Maa Skandmata: Put a statue or picture of Maa Skandmata near the Kalash. You can even use a yellow cloth to represent her.

4. Prayers and Offerings: Chant a simple prayer for Maa Skandmata while offering flowers, fruits (especially bananas, her favorite!), sweets, and incense sticks.

5. Aarti: Light a lamp (diya) and perform Aarti while singing hymns dedicated to Maa Skandmata.

6. Bhog: Offer a vegetarian meal (bhog) as a way of showing your devotion. Rice pudding (kheer) with saffron and bananas is a traditional offering.

7. Thank You and Prayers: End the puja by thanking Maa Skandmata for her blessings. You can also recite prayers from Durga Saptashati or other hymns.

Tips for Observing Puja

1. Stay Clean: Keep yourself clean, both physically and mentally, during the puja.

2. Focus and Devotion: Approach the puja with a calm mind and sincere devotion.

3. Eat Right: Stick to a vegetarian diet during Navratri, especially on puja days.

4. Fasting (Optional): You can choose to fast completely or partially on the puja day.

5. Think Positive: Focus on good thoughts and avoid negativity during the puja.

6. Be Respectful: Maintain a respectful attitude throughout the puja rituals.

Celebrating Together

While performing puja at home is meaningful, some people enjoy attending community celebrations. Many temples organize special pujas and prayers for Maa Skandmata on the fifth day. Attending these events allows people to share the spiritual experience and feel a sense of community.

In Conclusion

The fifth day of Chaitra Navratri is dedicated to Maa Skandmata, the embodiment of motherhood. By worshipping her, we seek her blessings for a happy family, strength, knowledge, and spiritual growth. So, this Navratri, take some time to honor the power and love of mothers in your life, and celebrate with Maa Skandmata!

For more Interesting topics follow us on Instagram