•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Thursday, 15 October 2026 — the mother of Lord Kartikeya
Navratri Day 5 falls on Thursday, 15 October 2026 and honours Maa Skandamata, the fifth form of Navadurga and the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya). She embodies the tender yet powerful love of a mother. The colour of the day in the commonly published 2026 sequence is yellow.
See the full nine-day plan in our Navratri 2026 guide.
| Detail | Day 5 |
|---|---|
| Date | Thursday, 15 October 2026 |
| Tithi | Ashwin Shukla Panchami |
| Goddess | Maa Skandamata |
| Colour of the day | Yellow |
| Holds | Infant Skanda and lotus flowers |
| Mount | Lion; also shown seated on a lotus |
| Traditional bhog | Bananas |
Skandamata literally means "mother of Skanda". Skanda — also known as Kartikeya, Murugan and Subramanya — is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the commander of the army of the gods.
According to the Puranas, the demon Tarakasura had won a boon that he could be killed only by a son of Shiva. Since Shiva was then an ascetic, Tarakasura believed himself invincible and terrorised the three worlds. After Shiva and Parvati were united, Kartikeya was born, grew into a mighty warrior and led the gods to victory over Tarakasura.
In her form as Skandamata, Parvati is honoured as the mother whose child restored the balance of the world. Worshipping her is believed to bring the blessings of both mother and son at once.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Arms | Four |
| Upper hands | Lotus flowers |
| Other hands | One holds the infant Skanda on her lap; the other is in the abhaya or varada (blessing) mudra |
| Complexion | Fair and radiant |
| Seat and mount | Seated on a lotus — hence the name Padmasana Devi — and riding a lion |
Practices vary between families and regions.
Name mantra:
ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥
Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah
Dhyana shloka:
सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माञ्चितकरद्वया।
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥
Meaning: "May the glorious Goddess Skandamata, ever seated on a lion throne and holding lotuses in her two hands, always be auspicious to me."
Bananas are the offering most often associated with Maa Skandamata. Devotees believe the offering brings good health. Some families also offer banana-based sweets prepared without grain for those who are fasting.
Yellow represents joy, brightness and optimism, and it is the colour of turmeric and marigolds that fill puja thalis during the festival. Thursday is also traditionally linked with yellow. Wearing the colour is optional.
Thursday, 15 October 2026, on Ashwin Shukla Panchami.
Skanda, also called Kartikeya or Murugan, is the son of Shiva and Parvati and the commander of the gods who defeated Tarakasura.
Yellow, in the commonly published 2026 sequence.
Bananas are the traditional offering.
Because she is often depicted seated on a lotus.
Day 5 of Navratri 2026, on 15 October, honours Maa Skandamata, the loving mother of Kartikeya. Offer bananas and yellow flowers, chant her mantra and, if you like, wear yellow. Day 6 is dedicated to the warrior goddess Maa Katyayani.
