This avatar of Maa Durga is a symbol of motherhood and is extremely kind and forgiving. She is the mother of Lord Kartikeya.
Saturday (April 17) is the fifth day of Chaitra Navratri and is dedicated to Maa Skandamata. This avatar of Maa Durga is a symbol of motherhood and is extremely kind and forgiving. She is the mother of Lord Kartikeya. She is mounted on a lion carrying her child Kartikeya or Skanda in one hand. To get her blessings of the holy mother and the divine son, people offer red-colored flowers to maa Skandamata on the fifth day of Navratri. Devotees pay reverence for fame, wealth, and prosperity.
Skanda is the alternate name of war god Kartikey and Maa Skandmata is holding Lord Skanda in his infant form in her hands therefore she is worshipped as Skandmata.
Pooja Vidhi:
The ritual of worshipping maa Skandamata starts with placing her on a chowki or table. Cleanse her with gomutra or gangajal. In a clay/silver or bronze pot, fill water and place a coconut on it. Now place lord ganesha,varun, Navah Graha, shodash Matrika(16 goddesses) and apply sapt ghrit matrika, (7 sindoor bindis). Now chant the aartis dedicated to maa Skandamata. Then worship shiva and Brahma after the chant.
Legend of Maa Skandamata:
Demon Tarakasur observed hard austere penance to please Lord Brahma. When he was pleased, Tarakasur asked him to bless him and make him immortal. But, Lord Brahma denied such blessings as everyone has to die some time. Meanwhile, Tarkasur thought of a trick that Lord Shiva will never get married so he asked for a boon that no one except the son of Lord Shiva will be able to kill him. This, he was granted by Lord Brahma. After getting this boon, Tarakasur started causing destruction and terrorizing people. On the request and prayers of gods, Lord Shiva got married to Goddess Parvati and their child Kartikey aka Skand Kumar killed Tarakasur. Skandmata is worshipped for being a mother of the brave child.
MANTRAS OF MAA Skandamata
या देवी सर्वभूतेषु मां स्कंदमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।
या फिर
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
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 "Maa Skandamata")
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