Navratri Day 5: PM Modi Seeks Blessings from Goddess Skandamata

SHARDIYA NAVRATRI 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday offered prayer to Goddess Skandamata on the fifth day of Navratri. Maa Skandamata is the mother of the war god Kartikeya and is depicted as riding a lion cub and holding Kartikeya in her lap. She is a symbol of strength, courage, and motherly love.

“Goddess Skandmata, the symbol of motherly love, is worshipped today. It is my wish that Mother Goddess blesses all her worshipers with new consciousness and new creation” PM Modi posted in Hindi on X, formerly Twitter. He also shared a video of Maa Skandamata Stuti.

The nine-day Shardiya Navratri celebrations got underway on October 15. The festival is dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga and her various forms. Each day of Navratri is associated with a different form of the goddess and has a specific colour and significance.

Maa Skandamata is the mother of Lord Skanda, also known as Kartikeya, who is the god of war and commander of the celestial army. She is depicted as a motherly figure holding her son, Skanda, in her lap. She is often portrayed riding a lion, and she has four arms. Her name is derived from “Skanda,” which means war, and “Mata,” which means mother. She symbolizes the protective and nurturing aspect of a mother.

Devotees worship Maa Skandamata on the fifth day of Navratri to seek her blessings for the well-being and protection of their children. She is believed to bestow strength, wisdom, and protection upon her devotees.

MAA SKANDAMATA PUJA SAMAGRI

Performing the puja of Maa Skandamata during Navratri involves a specific set of rituals and prayers. Here’s a simplified step-by-step guide on how to perform Maa Skandamata puja.

• A picture or idol of Maa Skandamata.
• A clean and quiet place for the puja.
• A chowki or a clean cloth to place the idol or picture.
• Incense sticks, a diya (lamp), and camphor for aarti.
• Flowers, especially White or Grey in color.
• Fresh fruits and sweets as offerings.
• Red and Yellow sacred threads (kalava or mauli).
• A coconut.
• Some coins.
• A bell.

MAA SKANDAMATA PUJA VIDHI

PREPARING THE ALTAR

• Set up the chowki or a clean cloth on the altar.
• Place the picture or idol of Maa Skandamata on the chowki.

INVOCATION (PRANAM MANTRA)

• Begin by lighting the diya (lamp) and incense sticks.
• Ring the bell to signify the beginning of the puja.
• Chant the Pranam Mantra: “Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah.”

OFFERINGS

• Offer fresh flowers to the goddess.
• Offer fruits and sweets as bhog (food offering).
• Place the coconut and some coins in front of the idol.
• Tie the sacred threads (kalava) around your wrist.

AARTI

• Perform the aarti using the lit diya (lamp) and camphor.
• Sing or recite Maa Skandamata aarti or bhajans.
• You can also ring the bell during the aarti.

PRAYERS AND MANTRAS

• Chant the Skandamata Mantra: “Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah” or any other mantras dedicated to her.
• You can also recite the Durga Chalisa or other relevant prayers.

MEDITATION AND REFLECTION

Spend some time in meditation or silent reflection, focusing on your devotion and seeking the blessings of Maa Skandamata.

CONCLUDING THE PUJA

• Offer your gratitude to Maa Skandamata for her blessings.
• Untie the sacred threads and wear them on your wrist as a symbol of protection.
• Distribute the blessed prasad (fruits and sweets) to family members.

DAILY OBSERVANCE

• Continue to light the diya and incense in front of the goddess every day of Navratri.
• Offer fresh flowers and recite prayers.