Chaitra Navratri 2018: Day 5 - Worship Maa Skandamata for wisdom, salvation

Devi Durga was jointly created by the holy trinity - Brahma (the creator), Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer) to eliminate a demon named Mahishasur, who's treachery ruined peace and sanctity in the three worlds. 

Known as the destroyer of evil and enforcer of good sense and morality, Durga, the ten-armed Goddess is worshipped during Navratri, a festival spread over nine days during four different times of the year.

Out of the four Navratris, the Chaitra and the Sharadiya are the most popular. The others are Aashada and Magha Gupta Navratri.

Durga, who represents the feminine form, is worshipped during Navratri - Nav meaning nine and Ratri meaning nights. 

On the fifth day of Navaratri, Lord Kartikeya’s mother – Skandamata - is worshipped by devotees. Since Durga gave birth to Lord Kartikeya (also known as Skanda) in this form, she is known as Skandamata.

She is depicted with four hands and has baby Kartikeya on her lap. She is mounted on a lion.

Her devotees worship her for attaining wisdom and salvation. She has the power to instil knowledge even in the most illiterate person. By worshipping her, devotees also get the blessings of Lord Kartikeya too.

Here’s a simple Mantra dedicated to Devi Skandamata:

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥

Om Devi Skandamatayay Namah॥

​Check out Skandamata Stuti here:

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नमः॥

Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Ma Skandamata Rupena Samsthita।
Namastasyay Namastasyay Namastasyay Namo Namah॥