Shivaratri Rituals

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Devotees of Lord Shiva observe the Shivaratri Festival by following

the prescribed rituals with sincerity and devotion. All through the

day, devotees abstain from eating food and break their fast only the

next morning, after the nightlong worship. Ritual baths of

Shivalinga in the numerous Shiva temples by Shiva worshipper, mainly

women, is another significant feature of Shivratri customs and

traditions. Devotees strongly believe that ritual worship of Lord

Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri absolves them of past sins

and they are blessed with Moksha.

 

Rituals Observed on a Shivaratri Morning

 

As a tradition devotees wake up early in the morning of the

Mahashivratri day and take a ritual sunrise bath, preferably in the

holy waters of river Ganga. They also offer prayers to the Sun God,

Vishnu and Shiva as a part of a purification rite observed on all-

important Hindu festivals. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees

visit the nearest Shiva Temple to give the customary bath to the

Shivalinga.

 

On a Shivratri day, Shiva temples are thronged by devotees, mainly

women, who come to perform the traditional Shivalinga pooja and seek

blessings from the god. At times there is so much rush in the

temples that devotees have to wait for their turn to observe pooja.

At their turn for worship, devotees circumambulate the Shivalinga,

three or seven times, and then pour water over it. Some also pour

milk. Sounds of bell and shouts of `Shankarji ki Jai' or (Hail

Shiva) reverberate in the temple premises.

 

Ritual Bath of Shivalinga

 

Following the rituals prescribed in the Shiva Purana, every three

hours, Shivalingam is given a special bath with milk, yoghurt,

honey, sandalwood paste and rose water. Puja, meditation and

chanting of 'Om Namah Shivaya' accompany the ritual bath. Following

the bath, vermilion paste is applied on the linga. Traditionally,

leaves of a forest tree Aegle marmelos (bilwa, maredu, wood apple)

are used for Shiva puja. Thereafter, Bilwa leaves, which have to be

a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga. Ber or

jujube fruit is a special offering to the god on this day. Beetle

leaves are also offered by some. Some also offer bilwa leaves in the

belief that the Goddess Lakshmi resides in them. Others believe it

is offered for its cooling effects on the hot-tempered deity. Many

devotees also decorate the linga with flowers and garlands and offer

incense sticks and fruit.

 

Significance of Puja Items

 

According to the Shiva Purana, there is a special significance of

the six essential puja items used in the Shiva worship.

 

Bathing of Shivalinga with water, milk and honey and wood apple or

bel leaves added to it, represents purification of the soul.

 

The vermilion paste applied on the linga after the ritual bath

represents virtue.

 

Offering of fruits symbolizes longevity and gratification of

desires.

 

Burning of incense sticks yields wealth.

 

The lighting of the lamp symbolizes attainment of knowledge.

 

Offering of betel leaves marks satisfaction with worldly pleasures.

 

All-Night Shiva Worship

 

Worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the night on Shivaratri

Festival. Devotees stay awake all night and spend the night in Shiva

temples in worship of Lord Shiva. Singing of hymns and verses in

praise and devotion of Lord Shiva besides the intense chanting of Om

Namah Shivay, the mantra that is said free people from all their

sins, continue through the night on Shivaratri.

 

Special worship of Shiva by priests continues through the nightlong

prayer vigil. During this ritual worship, Lord Shiva is offered

special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables and

coconuts. Those observing the Shivaratri Fast break their fast the

next morning by consuming the prasad offered to Shiva.

 

URL: http://www.mahashivratri.org/shivaratri-rituals.html