Navratri Day 5 2026: Maa Skandamata — Date, Colour, Mantra, Bhog and Puja Vidhi

Navratri Day 5 in 2026 is Thursday, 15 October, the day of Maa Skandamata — the Goddess as the mother of Skanda, the commander of the gods.

• Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026
• Tithi: Panchami — 1:14 AM on 15 October to 3:26 AM on 16 October
• Goddess: Maa Skandamata
• Sunrise (Delhi): 6:22 AM
• Colour (popular custom): Yellow
• Traditional bhog: Bananas

Maa Skandamata: the fifth form of Durga

Skandamata is "the mother of Skanda" — Kartikeya, also called Murugan and Subrahmanya. She is shown seated on a lion, and often on a lotus as well, with the infant Skanda in her lap. She has four arms: two hold lotuses, one supports her son, and one is raised in blessing. She is sometimes called Padmasana, the one seated on the lotus.

The story of Maa Skandamata

The demon Tarakasura had won a boon that only a son of Shiva could kill him, and with Shiva lost in grief and meditation that seemed impossible. The marriage of Shiva and Parvati — the long arc that runs through the earlier days of Navratri — brought Skanda into the world, and he led the gods' army and destroyed Tarakasura. Skandamata is the Goddess as that mother, and she is worshipped for the protection and wellbeing of children.

Mantra and dhyana

ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥

सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥

The dhyana verse describes her ever seated on the lion throne, a lotus in each of two hands, and asks the renowned Skandamata to be always auspicious. Worship of her is traditionally understood to include worship of Skanda.

Colour and bhog for Day 5

The colour for Thursday, 15 October in the popular list is yellow. The traditional bhog is bananas, offered to the Goddess and then shared or given away.

How to worship Maa Skandamata on Day 5

• Invoke Maa Skandamata at the kalash with the dhyana verse.
• Offer yellow flowers, akshat, kumkum and the banana bhog.
• Parents often pray to her for the health and progress of their children.
• Chant her mantra 108 times and close with the aarti.

The daily kalash, akhand jyoti and the general Navratri vidhi are in the Navratri 2026 guide.

Upang Lalita vrat

In Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat the Panchami of Shardiya Navratri is also kept as Upang Lalita vrat, dedicated to the Goddess Lalita. Families who observe it combine the two on Thursday: the worship of Skandamata at the kalash, and the Lalita vrat according to their own practice.

← Day 4 · Maa Kushmanda · → Day 6 · Maa Katyayani · All nine days of Navratri 2026

Frequently asked questions

When is Navratri Day 5 in 2026?
On Thursday, 15 October 2026. Panchami runs from 1:14 AM on 15 October to 3:26 AM on 16 October.

Who is Maa Skandamata?
She is the fifth form of Durga, the mother of Skanda (Kartikeya), shown seated on a lion with the infant Skanda in her lap.

What is the colour of Navratri Day 5 in 2026?
Yellow, in the popular list that assigns colours by weekday.

What bhog is offered to Maa Skandamata?
Bananas are the traditional offering on the fifth day.