New Delhi: Navratri 2026 Day 5, dedicated to Maa Skandmata, offers a beautiful pause in the nine-day celebration to connect with the nurturing, motherly form of Goddess Durga. Devotees across India observe this day with deep faith, quiet reflection and simple, graceful rituals that can easily be followed at home, whether you are an ardent sadhak or someone just beginning to explore Navratri fasting and puja traditions. If you are planning your Day 5 vrat, outfit, puja samagri and daily schedule in advance, this guide will walk you through everything in a structured, practical way.
On the fifth day of Chaitra Navratri 2026, Maa Skandmata is worshipped as the gentle yet powerful mother of Lord Kartikeya, also known as Skanda, who is revered as the commander of the divine armies. This particular form of the Goddess is associated with purity, wisdom, child‑related blessings and mental peace, making Day 5 especially meaningful for parents, students and professionals seeking clarity. With the tithi, colour code and puja muhurat already clearly outlined for 23 March 2026, you can plan your day around a calm morning puja, thoughtful offerings and a heartfelt aarti that aligns with tradition yet fits seamlessly into your modern routine.
Navratri 2026 Day 5: Date, Tithi and Muhurat
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Chaitra Navratri 2026 Day 5 falls on Monday, 23 March 2026, and is dedicated to Maa Skandmata.
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The panchami tithi and puja on this day are observed as part of the ongoing Navratri fasts, with devotees offering special prayers in the morning and during key auspicious windows.
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Brahma Muhurat: 05:06 AM to 05:53 AM – ideal for meditation, mantra‑jaap and sankalp.
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Morning Sandhya Muhurat: 05:29 AM to 06:40 AM – suitable for main Skandmata puja at home.
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Abhijit Muhurat: 12:21 PM to 01:09 PM – a powerful window if you wish to repeat a short puja or mantra‑sadhana during the day.
Who is Maa Skandmata?
Maa Skandmata is the fifth manifestation of Maa Durga, adored as the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), the valiant commander of the celestial armies. She is generally described as seated on a roaring lion, carrying baby Skanda in her lap and holding lotus flowers in two of her four arms, symbolising purity, spiritual blossoming and motherly compassion. Her radiant, fair complexion and peaceful expression represent inner calm, patience and sattvik energy, making her an ideal deity for those seeking mental balance and emotional stability.
In the spiritual tradition, it is believed that worshipping Maa Skandmata grants the combined blessings of the Goddess and Lord Kartikeya, offering protection, courage, wisdom and support in overcoming obstacles on both worldly and spiritual paths. Devotees especially look to her for blessings related to children, education, clarity of thought and release from fear, which is why Day 5 is often observed with a very tender, family‑centred energy.
Colour for Navratri Day 5
For Chaitra Navratri 2026, the designated colour for Day 5 (Maa Skandmata) is white. White is traditionally associated with purity, serenity, patience and peace, and wearing this colour on panchami is believed to invite mental clarity and spiritual calm.
Skandamata Puja Guide
Follow these concise pointers for a streamlined Day 5 puja, ideal for busy schedules while honouring tradition.
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Prepare early: Bathe, don white attire, and cleanse the puja area with Ganga jal.
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Set altar: Place Maa Skandmata idol on a chowki, adorn with white flowers and light ghee diya.
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Invoke deity: Apply roli, chandan, and akshat; offer fresh fruits and sattvik bhog like kheer.
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Chant mantra: Recite “Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah” 108 times with a tulsi-mala.
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Perform aarti: Sing Skandmata aarti, circling the diya clockwise thrice.
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Conclude: Distribute prasad, bow in gratitude, and maintain vrat till sunset.
Maa Skandamata Aarti Lyrics
This beloved aarti, sung with devotion on Navratra Day 5, invokes Maa Skandmata’s nurturing grace for peace and protection.
Jai Skandamata Maiya Jai, Jai Skandamata Maiya Jai
Shubhankari Pradeepati, Jai Skandamata Maiya Jai
Kanchan Thal Mein Belpatra, Nariyal Arpitu Hum
Chandan Tilak Aur Sindoor, Shringaar Karu Tumhare Gun
Teri Kripa Se Sab Pave, Sukh Samriddhi Aishwarya
Santati Puti De Maan, Bhakt Janon Ki Parni
Tum Hi Ho Mata Pita Tum Hi Ho, Tum Hi Ho Bandhan Ke Data
**Raja Ramchandra Ke Paavan Hit, Sab Vidhi Karahu Kripa Ham
Bandhan Kaise Kholun, Tum Hi Ho Bandhu Sakha Tum
Tum Bin Aur Na Koi, Hum Par Karo Kripa Tum
Jai Skandamata Maiya Jai, Jai Skandamata Maiya Jai
Navratri Ke Pancham Divas Par, Bhakton Ki Pukar Suno
Dhyan Lagaye Jo Tumhare, Unko De Do Aashirwad Apna
Maa Skandamata Mantras
These powerful mantras for Navratri Day 5 invoke Maa Skandamata’s blessings for wisdom, child prosperity and fearlessness.
Beej Mantra
ॐ स्कन्दमातायै नमः
Om Skandamatayai Namah
Chant 108 times during puja for mental clarity and Mercury strength.
Mool Mantra
ॐ ऐं ह्रीं क्लीं स्कन्दमाते नमः
Om Aim Hreem Kleem Skandamate Namah
Recite for spiritual protection and family harmony.
Gayatri Mantra
ॐ स्कन्दमातायै विद्महे पद्महस्तायै धीमहि। तन्नो देवी प्रचोदयात्॥
Om Skandamatayai Vichhe Mah Padma Hastayai Dheemahi Tanno Devi Prachodayat
Use for intellect enhancement and obstacle removal.
Dhyan Mantra
सिंहासन गता नित्यं पद्मांकरम्पणि शुभान्।
स्कन्दपूत्रमभिजने संनादति कुमारकम्॥
Visualise her lion-mounted form while chanting for inner peace.
On Navratri 2026 Day 5, as you step into white and light your diya before Maa Skandmata, focus less on the length of the ritual and more on the depth of your intention, allowing her calm, protective energy to flow into your home, work and relationships in the most natural, graceful way.