Skandamata | Maa Durga SkandaMata Roop / माँ स्कन्दमाता

In this form Goddess Durga is four-armed and rides on a lion. She carries a lotus, a kamandalu and a bell. Her one hand is in blessing posture.

Skandamaataa is the fifth manifestion of Goddess Durga.  

She is worshipped on the fifth day of the Navaraatri.  

Her son Karttikeya is also called Skanda.  So, she is called Skandamaataa or the Mother of Skanda.

Lord Skanda can be seen in her lap.  She possesses four arms out of which two hold the lotus flowers.  One of her hands is always in the boon-conferring gesture and with the other she holds her son Skanda in her lap.  

Her complexion is white and she is seated on the lotus.  So, she is also called the Goddess with a lotus-seat.  The Lion also is her vehicle.

Skandamaataa who possesses the brilliance of the sun fulfills all the desires of her devotees.  He who is selflessly devoted to her, attains all the achievements and treasures of life.

The worship of Skandamaataa purifies the heart of a devotee.  While worshiping her, he devotee should have absolute control over his senses and mind.  He should free himself from worldly bondage and worship her with a single-pointed devotion.  Her worship is twice blessed.  

When the devotee worships her, Lord Skanda, her son in her lap, is automatically worshipped.  Thus the devotee happens to enjoy the grace of Skandamaataa along with the grace of Lord Skanda.

If a devotee worships her devoid of selfishness, the Mother blesses them with power and prosperity.  The devotees who worship Skandamaataa shine with divine splendor.  Her worship is ultimately conducive to salvation.