Goddess Skandamata is the fifth form of Goddess Durga among the Nava Durga. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. The deity is the mother of Kumara Skanda or Kumara Kartikeya, the one who was chosen as the commander by the gods in `Deva-Sura Sangram.` In south India he is known as Lord Murugan. For being the mother of Skanda she is known as Skandamata.

Attributes of Goddess Skandamata
Goddess Skandamata is of golden complexion and is seated on a lotus flower. She is thus, also known as Padamasani. The lion is her vehicle. The goddess has four arms and three eyes. With her right upper arm she holds Lord Skanda and with her right lower hand she holds a lotus flower that is somewhat raised upward. The upper left arm is in varada mudra and with the lower left hand, which is raised, she again holds a lotus.

The goddess is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. On this day the mind of the devotee reaches the Visuddha Chakra and remains therein. By worshipping the goddess the wishes of the devotees gets fulfilled and he advances in a state of pure consciousness. The worship of Skandamata also includes the worship of Lord Skanda or Kartikeya in his child form. The following mantra is chanted while praying to the goddess:

Yaa Devi Sarva Bhooteshu Skanda Mata Rupena Samsthitha | Namstas aye Namstas aye Namstas aye Namo Namaha ||

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