Khattar offers Navratri prayers on Skandamata Panchami
Synopsis
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar marked Navratri Panchami by sharing a Sanskrit shloka dedicated to Maa Skandamata, praying for her blessings and the welfare of all devotees.
Key Takeaways
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar posted Navratri greetings on 15 October 2026 , the fifth day (Panchami) of Navratri.
He invoked Maa Skandamata , the fifth form of the Divine Mother, with a classical Sanskrit shloka from the Durga Saptashati .
The Minister prayed for continuous divine blessings on devotees and for the lamps of auspiciousness to shine in every home.
Skandamata is the mother of Lord Kartikeya (Skanda) and is depicted riding a lion, worshipped for courage and wisdom.
The post is consistent with the broader pattern of Indian political leaders making devotional outreach during Navratri.
On the fifth day of Navratri, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar invoked the blessings of Maa Skandamata — the lion-borne fifth form of the Divine Mother — offering devotional greetings to followers across the country on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
Khattar opened with the classical Sanskrit verse: 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Skandamata Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah' — 'O Goddess, who abides in all beings in the form of Skandamata, salutations to thee, again and again.' The verse is among the most widely recited shlokas of the Navratri tradition, drawn from the Durga Saptashati.
In his message, the Minister prayed that the goddess shower her devotees with unceasing love and blessings, and that the lamps of auspiciousness and wellbeing illuminate every home and courtyard of the faithful. 'May everyone's welfare be secured — this is my only wish,' he wrote, signing off with 'Jai Maa Skandamata'.
Skandamata: the fifth face of Navratri
Maa Skandamata is worshipped on Panchami — the fifth night of the nine-night festival of Navratri. She is venerated as the mother of Skanda (Lord Kartikeya), the god of war and victory, and is depicted seated on a lion, cradling the infant Skanda in her arms. Devotees believe her worship brings clarity of mind, courage, and liberation from worldly afflictions.
Navratri, one of the most widely observed Hindu festivals, sees millions of households across India light diyas, observe fasts, and recite the Durga Saptashati over nine nights dedicated to successive forms of the goddess.
Ministers and Navratri: a familiar social-media ritual
Khattar's post follows a well-established pattern among Indian political leaders of marking each of the nine nights of Navratri with dedicated devotional posts. For a senior leader who served as Chief Minister of Haryana for over a decade before taking charge of the Union Ministry of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs, such public expressions of faith function as cultural touchpoints that reinforce connect with a devout constituency.
On this fifth night, the prayers are for every lamp to keep burning bright. That, at least, is a wish few would argue with.
Point of View
Public devotion during Navratri reinforces a consistent persona. The pattern also reflects how Indian political social media has evolved: festival greetings now carry meticulously chosen shlokas and theological detail rather than generic wishes, raising the devotional register and deepening the appeal to observant Hindu voters.
NationPress
15 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Maa Skandamata and why is she worshipped on Navratri Panchami?
Maa Skandamata is the fifth form of the Divine Mother in the Navratri cycle, venerated on the fifth night (Panchami). She is the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya), depicted riding a lion with her son in her arms, and is believed to bestow courage, wisdom, and liberation on her devotees.
What did Manohar Lal Khattar post for Navratri 2026?
Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar posted a Sanskrit shloka dedicated to Maa Skandamata from the Durga Saptashati, along with a prayer for the goddess to shower unceasing blessings on devotees and for auspiciousness to fill every household.
What is the Sanskrit shloka Khattar posted on Navratri Panchami?
The shloka is 'Ya Devi Sarvabhuteshu Skandamata Rupena Samsthita, Namastasyai Namastasyai Namastasyai Namo Namah' — meaning 'O Goddess who abides in all beings in the form of Skandamata, salutations to thee again and again.' It comes from the Durga Saptashati.
What is Manohar Lal Khattar's current role in the government?
Manohar Lal Khattar is the Union Minister of Power and Housing and Urban Affairs. He is a senior BJP leader and former Chief Minister of Haryana.
Do Indian ministers regularly post Navratri messages on social media?
Yes. Indian political leaders routinely post devotional greetings for each of the nine nights of Navratri, often citing specific shlokas and the theological significance of that night's deity form. It is considered routine cultural engagement rather than official policy communication.
