Thursday, October 15, marks Navratri Day 5 of Sharad Navratri 2026. Devotees worship Maa Skandamata, the fifth form of Goddess Durga, and offer bananas as bhog. Yellow is the popular colour for the day.
Families with an established kalash need not restart the ceremony. The day’s worship centres on Skandamata, her mantra, and a simple offering.
Key Highlights
- Date: Thursday, October 15, 2026; Shukla Paksha Panchami.
- Goddess: Maa Skandamata, mother of Lord Kartikeya.
- Day 5 colour: Yellow, a popular festive custom rather than a compulsory ritual.
- Bhog: Bananas; some households also prepare kheer or other sattvik sweets.
- Main mantra: Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah.
Maa Skandamata on October 15: Panchami Tithi and Significance
The fifth day honours the goddess as the mother of Skanda, another name for Kartikeya. Her familiar image shows the child in her lap, lotus flowers in two hands, and a lion as her mount. Seated on a lotus, she is also called Padmasana Devi. Devotees associate her with maternal protection, a religious belief rather than a promised outcome.
The Drik Panchang 2026 Navratri calendar places Skandamata Puja and Upang Lalita Vrat on October 15. For New Delhi, Panchami began at 1:13 am on October 15 and ends at 3:25 am on October 16.
The timing changes by location, so a city-specific panchang is preferable for muhurat details. Panchami begins before sunrise in Delhi, but festival dates are usually determined by the relevant tithi at sunrise. That is why Day 5 is listed as October 15.
In some traditions, the same date is observed as Lalita Panchami, dedicated to Goddess Lalita. It is a distinct observance.
Maa Skandamata Puja Vidhi: Simple Steps for Home Worship
Those continuing a nine-day kalash puja can use their existing shrine. For a simple prayer, use her image, a lamp, flowers, water, and an offering. Rituals differ between households.
- Bathe, clean the prayer area, and place flowers before the goddess.
- Light a diya safely and offer water, kumkum or roli, and akshat if used in the family tradition.
- Place bananas or another permitted sattvik offering before the image.
- Recite the Skandamata mantra, followed by a preferred Durga prayer or stuti.
- Perform aarti and distribute the offered food as prasad.
For New Delhi, Drik Panchang lists Abhijit Muhurat from 11:44 am to 12:30 pm on October 15. The timing is optional; many households worship in the morning or evening.
Maa Skandamata Mantra, Banana Bhog and Navratri Fasting
The short invocation for today’s prayer is ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः॥ (Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah). Some devotees repeat it 108 times using a mala, but a shorter recitation is also possible during household worship.
Another traditional stuti is सिंहासनगता नित्यं पद्माश्रितकरद्वया। शुभदास्तु सदा देवी स्कन्दमाता यशस्विनी॥. It praises the goddess and may be recited before aarti.
Offerings commonly associated with Day 5 include:
- Bananas, either whole or cut shortly before the offering.
- Kheer prepared according to household fasting customs.
- Yellow flowers or other available fresh flowers.
Bananas are frequently identified as Skandamata’s preferred bhog. Share the fruit as prasad afterwards. Some devotees take fruit and milk; others eat permitted vrat meals. Children and those with health-related dietary needs need not fast.
Why Is Yellow the Navratri Day 5 Colour in 2026?
Yellow is the popular Navratri colour for Thursday, October 15, linked in festive guides with cheerfulness and optimism. Devotees may wear yellow or offer yellow flowers. The colour sequence is a cultural practice, not a universal religious requirement.
The 2026 sequence places royal blue on October 14, yellow on October 15 and green on October 16. The next day is dedicated to Maa Katyayani. The colour list helps with festive attire, while worship follows family customs.
Devotees can retain their kalash and lamp for Friday prayers, following local customs and the city-specific panchang.
2. What Is the Mantra for Maa Skandamata?
The commonly recited mantra is Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah. Devotees may repeat it during their puja, often with a mala, before performing aarti during morning or evening worship.
5. When Does Panchami Tithi End on October 15, 2026?
For New Delhi, Panchami continues until 3:25 am on October 16, according to Drik Panchang. Local sunrise and panchang calculations should guide regional observances. Timings differ between cities.
Navratri, Festivals and Railway Updates
1. Which Foods Are Allowed During Navratri?
Check out the Navratri 2026 fasting rules, permitted foods and restrictions.
2. What Makes Maa Chandraghanta So Special?
Uncover Maa Chandraghanta’s story, powerful mantra and Day 3 significance.
3. Why Are 100 Festival Trains Running?
Find details about Indian Railways’ 100 special trains for festival travellers.
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5. How Can You Book Puja Trains?
See Eastern Railway’s 2026 Puja special train booking and travel details.
