Navratri is a special occasion, a time for new beginnings and offering your dedication and reverence to the Goddess Shakti. The fifth day of Navratri is celebrated to worship the manifestation of Goddess Durga known as Skandmata. Maa Skandmata is none other than famously known son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati - Kartikeya. Hence the mother of Skand, Goddess Parvati is known as Maa Skandmata. She is a deity of fire. She is white and seated on a lotus in all her elegance. She has 'Kartikeya' (Skand) in her lap. Maa Skandmata has four hands. With one hand, she holds Skand. With two other hands, she holds two lotuses and her fourth hand appears as a gesture of granting, probably the wishes of her devotees. It is said that worshipping Maa Skandmata, even a mindless person can become an intelligent human.

Tarkasur Vadh Story - The legend says that Tarkasur, who was a great demon, once pleased Lord Brahma with his great devotion and extremely tough penance. He asked Lord Brahma to shower His blessings and make him immortal. However, Lord Brahma denied him this blessing, saying none can escape the truth of death. Tarkasur acted smart and asked for the death by the son of Lord Shiva, since he thought Lord Shiva would never get married as he was a supreme yogi. Tarkasur started using his powers in all bad sense and was tormenting the people on the earth. Fearing his strength would cause destructions on earth and heaven, the devatas requested Lord Shiva to get married. He agreed and married Goddess Parvati. Their child, Lord Kartikeya (Skand Kumar), demolished Tarkasur. Maa Skandmata, hence is a symbol of the mother son relationship.

As per Tantra spiritual practice, Maa Skandmata is the goddess of the Vishuddhi Chakra. Vishuddhi Chakra is located in the vicinity of the Larynx – and is therefore also known as the Throat Chakra. It is a centre of physical and spiritual purification. In Vishuddha Chakra, all the elements of the lower chakras - earth, water, fire and air - are refined to their purest essence and dissolve into akasha. The Yantra of Vishuddha Chakra is a silver crescent within a white circle shining as a full moon surrounded by sixteen petals.The silver crescent is the lunar symbol of nada, pure cosmic sound. The crescent is symbolic of purity, and purification is a vital aspect of Vishuddha Chakra.

Chant this mantra to worship Maa Skandmata

या देवी सर्वभू‍तेषु माँ स्कंदमाता रूपेण संस्थिता।
नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमस्तस्यै नमो नम:।।
सिंघासनगता नित्यम पद्माश्रितकरद्वया |
शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्द माता यशश्विनी ||