Navratri Day 5 colour 2026 is yellow, and the fifth day of Shardiya Navratri falls on Thursday 15 October, dedicated to Maa Skandamata. Yellow stands for warmth, optimism and maternal light — fitting for the goddess who cradles infant Skanda (Kartikeya) on her lap. This same-day guide covers the colour, the Panchami tithi, Delhi timings, the bhog to offer, the mantra, and how Day 5 sits in the rest of Navratri.
Navratri Day 5 colour 2026: why yellow
Drik Panchang, NDTV and Economic Times all list yellow (often bright yellow) for Day 5 of Shardiya Navratri 2026. The popular weekday-based colour chart lands Thursday on yellow this year. Devotees wear yellow kurtas, sarees, lehengas or a yellow dupatta; garba circles often coordinate marigold and mustard tones for the evening. The colour is a cultural cue rather than a hard scriptural rule, and regional charts can differ, but yellow is the answer most families search on Panchami morning.
If a full outfit is not practical for work, a yellow stole, scarf, bangles or marigold garland is enough to mark the day.
Panchami tithi and Delhi timings
Day 5 aligns with Ashwina Shukla Panchami. Panchangya's New Delhi page for Thursday 15 October 2026 lists Panchami running until about 3:25 am on 16 October, then Shashthi. For New Delhi on 15 October:
Sunrise 6:21 am; sunset 5:51 pm
Brahma Muhurta 4:41 am–5:31 am
Abhijit Muhurat 11:43 am–12:29 pm
Vijaya Muhurta 2:01 pm–2:47 pm
Rahu Kaal 1:33 pm–2:59 pm (many families avoid starting puja in this window)
Timings shift by city, so check your local panchang for Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad or Chennai. You keep worshipping the kalash installed on Ghatasthapana (Day 1); no fresh kalash is needed today.
Who is Maa Skandamata?
Maa Skandamata is the fifth of the Navadurga. NDTV, citing Drik Panchang, notes she is the mother of Lord Skanda (Kartikeya / Murugan), shown riding a lion, holding lotuses, with the infant Skanda on her lap. Her complexion is traditionally described as shubhra (fair/radiant). In popular jyotish she is linked to Budha (Mercury); devotees pray to her for children's protection, family harmony and wisdom. HinduAarti adds that Kalidasa is said to have received the gift of poetry by her grace.
Maa Skandamata bhog: what to offer on Day 5
NDTV, News9 and HinduAarti all name bananas as the main Day 5 bhog. News9 also suggests yellow sweets or banana halwa; yellow flowers such as marigold are preferred for decoration and pushpanjali. Offer roli, akshat, sandalwood and a lit diya with the fruit. Families vary; pick what fits your household's practice and any fasting rules you follow.
Day 5 puja vidhi and Skandamata mantra
A simple sequence many households follow:
1. Bathe early and wear yellow if you can.
2. Worship the kalash and light the diya or tend the akhand jyoti.
3. Offer roli, akshat and yellow flowers before Maa Skandamata's picture.
4. Offer bhog — bananas.
5. Chant the naam mantra ॐ देवी स्कन्दमातायै नमः (Om Devi Skandamatayai Namah) 108 times on a mala. Drik Panchang also gives the stuti Simhasanagata Nityam Padmashritakaradvaya / Shubhadastu Sada Devi Skandamata Yashasvini.
6. Read the Durga Chalisa or a chapter of the Durga Saptashati if time allows.
7. Close with aarti (Jai Ambe Gauri) and share prasad.
People also ask: what comes after Navratri Day 5?
Day 6 (Friday 16 October) is green for Maa Katyayani; Day 7 grey for Maa Kalaratri; Day 8 purple for Maa Mahagauri; Day 9 peacock green for Maa Siddhidatri on 19 October, then Dussehra / Vijayadashami on 20 October. For the full nine-day colour chart see our Navratri colours 2026 guide; for yesterday's royal-blue Kushmanda day see Navratri Day 4 colour 2026; for dates and rituals see the Navratri 2026 dates guide.
Sources: Drik Panchang Navratri nine colours 2026; NDTV Offbeat Navratri 2026 Day 5 Skandamata; HinduAarti Day 5 Maa Skandamata; News9live; Economic Times; Panchangya New Delhi 15 Oct 2026.