September 30, 2022: Today marks the fifth day of Navratri and devotees across the country will worship Goddess Skandamata, the fifth incarnation of Maa Durga. According to mythology, Skandamata is four-armed and is riding on a lion. On one hand, Skandamata is holding her son Skanda or Kartikeya. As per legends, Kartikeya, the son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, is also known as Skanda. Lord Skanda was trained by Goddess Parvati, hence the fifth form of Goddess Durga is called Skandamata.

It is believed that worshipping Goddess Skandamata fulfils all the wishes of devotees and brings happiness in life. Further, it is also believed that by worshipping Goddess Skandmata, the wishes of having children get fulfilled. Meanwhile, morning arti was performed at the famous Jhandewalan temple in Delhi on Friday morning on the occasion of the fifth day of Navratri. Mantras are being chanted by priests and holy songs are being played at the temple premises.

During the nine-day Navratri festival, devotees worship Maa Durga's nine incarnations in order to obtain her blessings. There is a goddess manifestation linked with each day of Navratri. During these nine days, people maintain ritualistic fasts, recite shlokas dedicated to each goddess, wear new clothing, offer bhog, and clean their homes. In their prayers, they ask the goddess for her favour in order to have prosperous, joyous, and fulfilled lives. Over the next nine days, devotees offer their prayers to Goddess Durga and observe fasts.

The festival of Navratri honours the defeat of the demonic Mahishasura and the triumph of good over evil. The 10th day of Sharad Navratri is celebrated as Dussehra or Vijaya Dashami.This year, Navratri started on September 26 and will conclude on October 5. Ramlila is organised extensively during Navratri in North India, particularly in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Gujarat, and Madhya Pradesh. During the Ramlila, the tale of Lord Ram's triumph over Ravana is acted out.

Numerous dances, including Garba and Dandiya Raas, are performed during the nine-day festival. While Dandiya Raas involves dancing with dandiya sticks to the beat of the music, Garba is a traditional dance in which participants clap their hands and move in a circle while making rhythmic gestures. The effigies of King Ravana are burned on Dussehra to commemorate the triumph of good over evil. (ANI)