Divinity and religious devotion is what primarily signifies the nine days of Navaratri as a whole. As the festivities proceed, we proceed to move on to move on to the fifth day of the celebrations. The fifth day of Navaratri is mainly dedicated to the worship of Devi Skanda Mata or the fifth divine form of Shakti of Goddess Durga. Devotees carry out celebrations and pujas with great fervour and make the best of the online decorative accessories like online diya and a few others they can get hold of.
The significance behind the name “Skandamata”
Being the fifth facet of the Goddess Durga, Skanda Mata is the mother of Kartikeya. The deity is represented with her holding a six faced Kartikeya on her lap. The divine deity is usually seated on a throne of lotus in a meditative posture along with her son.
Skanda Mata is considered to be a symbol of purity for all her devotees. Her calm face acts a source of relief when in times of torment. Worshipping the deity is a means to shun off worldly sorrow and bring about a purification of both the soul and the mind. The fact that you find her seated on a bed of lotus often results her in being termed “Padmasini” or one who has a seat on the Lotus.
The myth that follows the tale of mother and son
Legend states that the world was tormented by the despotism and evil deeds of the demon Tarakasur. It was due to his severe penance and devotion that the almighty Lord Brahma, agreed to grant him any boon he desired. On demanding to be granted immortal life, Brahma denied since no mortal could escape the cycle of life and death. Having been in the misconception that Lord Shiva would never get married, Tarakasur demanded the boon of being killed his son. However, as fate had it, Lord Shiva did marry as means to relief the world from the atrocities of the demon who was eventually slayed by his son Kartikeya.
The celebrations and rituals pertaining to the fifth day of Navaratri is a symbol of the pure love and bond that prevails between a mother and her son. It is said that the Pujas and the rituals help people shun off any kind of evil and impure thoughts that might haunt them.
Mantras for the occasion chanted during the rituals
“Siṅghāsanagatā nityama padmāśritakaradvayā |
śubhadāstu sadā dēvī skanda mātā yaśaśvinī ||”
“(सिंघासनगता नित्यम पद्माश्रितकरद्वया |
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्द माता यशश्विनी ||)”
While performing pujas at your home, a superior puja kit might prove to be of help in this case. Several online portals provide you with an amalgamation of the best puja kits at just the right price. Divinity is the ultimate purification of the soul!