The fifth aspect of the Mother Durga is known as ‘Skanda Mata’ – the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander in chief in the war against the demons. She is worshipped on the fifth day of Navaratri. The Lord Skanda in his infant form accompanies her. The color to wear on the fifth day is white.
White is associated with the color of perfection, purity and peace. Wearing a white color dress or saree on day 5 as on list of Navratri color will sure give a feel of peace and harmony with a joyful day seeing white outfit varieties all around in groups, be it inside local trains or office. Energy level on this day will be soothing and high all around.
On the fifth day, Maa Skandamata will be worshipped. Maa Skandamata symbolizes the mother form of Goddess Durga and is benevolent and kind. Praying to her the devotees earn blessings in two-fold as the Lord Skanda or God Kartikeya is also worshipped since he is sitting in his mother’s lap.
Goddess Skandamata is four-armed and rides a lion-like Goddess Durga. She carries a lotus in one of her hand, a water-bearer or a bell in another, one of her hands is always depicted in a blessing gesture extended towards her devotees and in her fourth hand, she holds Lord Skanda or Murugan who is seated on her lap. She is depicted as a fair complexioned goddess seated on a lotus for which she is also called Goddess Padmasana.
Goddess Skandamata awards salvation, power, prosperity, and treasures to her devotees. She also provides wisdom to her devotees who worship her. The devotee who worships her attains all achievements and success in their life and bears a pure heart. Goddess Skandamata should be worshipped with a pure heart devoid of worldly bondage and utmost devotion; the Goddess blesses the person who does this.
According to legends, the birth of God Skanda can be found in the Skanda Puran. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s energies combined into a divine form when they were meditating. Lord Indra came to know about this and instructed Lord Agni to steal this divine energy as it was foretold that the child born out of the energies of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati will kill the demon Tarakasur.
When Goddess Parvati found what Lord Agni had done she cursed him to be all-burner who would not know the difference between right and wrong and will scorch anyone who touches him and will forever be surrounded by black smoke. Shiva’s son Kartikeya takes birth from the six Kritikas (Mother) and not Goddess Parvati. Lord Kartikeya was named thus because he was born and reared by the Kritikas. However, Goddess Parvati took him back from Kritika Lok and accepts him as her son making her a great mother and setting an example in front of the world. Goddess Parvati took Lord Kartikeya back to Mount Kailasha riding a lion in the form of Goddess Skandamata and blesses him to fight against the demon Tarakasur.
Day 5 of the Navratri is entirely dedicated to her. Her aura of peace and harmony makes white the colour of this day. One can wear simple elegant outfits in white colour and jazz the entire look up with heavy accessories. Steel look jewelry look best with the white colour.