Fifth Day of Navaratri: Devotees Worship Goddess Skandamata

On the fifth day of Navaratri, Hindu devotees across Nepal are performing special worship of Goddess Skandamata. Known as the mother of Kartikeya (Skanda), she is revered for her motherly love and is also regarded as the embodiment of both knowledge and action.

As the presiding deity of the solar system, Skandamata is described as radiant like the sun. Iconography portrays her seated on a lion, with four hands, one holding her child Kartikeya, another carrying a lotus flower, while the remaining two display blessings and protective gestures.

The nine forms of Goddess Durga are worshipped sequentially throughout the Navaratri festival, also known as Durga Paksha. The tradition begins with Shailaputri, followed by Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda, Skandamata, Katyayani, Kalaratri, Mahagauri, and concludes with Siddhidatri.

Temples and shrines across the country, including Naxal Bhagwati, Maitidevi, Kalikasthan, and Bhadrakali in Kathmandu Valley, have been decorated with lights and offerings. Large crowds of devotees continue to gather for prayers and blessings.

The ritual begins with the placement of the goddess’s idol on a sanctified wooden platform, purified with holy water. A sacred kalash (vessel) filled with water is established along with invocations to Lord Ganesh, Varuna, the nine planets, and other divine forms.

Devotees then undertake vows and perform Shodashopachar Puja (16-step ritual) using Vedic and Saptashati mantras. Offerings include sandalwood paste, vermilion, sacred grass, flowers, incense, lamps, fruits, and sweets. The worship concludes with aarti, circumambulation, and distribution of prasad.