Mata Skandamata – Fifth Avatar of #Durga

*Mata Skandamata – Fifth Avatar of #Durga *

#Origin - When Goddess Parvati became the mother of Lord Skanda (also known as Lord Kartikeya), Mata Parvati was known as Goddess Skandamata.

#Navratri Worship - Goddess Skandamata is worshipped on the fifth day of Navratri.

#Governing Planet - It is believed that the planet Budha is governed by Goddess Skandamata.

#Iconography - Goddess Skandamata mounts on the ferocious lion. She carries baby Murugan in her lap. Lord Murugan is also known as Kartikeya and brother of Lord Ganesha. Goddess Skandamata is depicted with four hands. She carries lotus flowers in her upper two hands. She holds baby Murugan in one of her right hand and keeps the other right hand in Abhaya Mudra. She sits on lotus flower and because of that Skandamata is also known as Goddess Padmasana.

#Stuti -
या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कन्दमाता रूपेण संस्थिता। नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।

#Details - The complexion of Goddess Skandamata is Shubhra (शुभ्र) which describes her white complexion. Devotees who worship this form of Goddess Parvati get the benefit of worshipping Lord Kartikeya. This quality is possessed only by Skandamata form of Goddess Parvati.