Happy Maha Shivratri

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Shivaratri Pooja

Shivaratri Pooja

has been given tremendous significance in Hindu mythology. It is said that

ritual worship of Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri day pleases Lord Shiva the most.

Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious

Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or

salvation.

 

Merits of Shivaratri Puja

According to Shiva Purana, sincere worship of Lord Shiva yields merits

including spiritual growth for the devotees. It also provides extensive details

on the right way to perform Shivratri Puja.

 

Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of Shiva Linga with six

different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water

while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord Shiva the

most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in the abhisheka

blesses a unique quality:

 

Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.

 

Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.

Honey is for sweet speech.

Ghee is for victory.

Sugar is for happiness.

Water is for purity.

 

Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also

considered to be extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to

Shiva for the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a

husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

 

Getting Ready for Shivratri Puja

To perform the worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri, devotees wake up early and

take a ritual bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. This is

followed by worship to Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva in accordance with the

purification rite observed on all-important Hindu festivals. Devotees then wear

fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition,

devotees observe a fast on a Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of

water.

 

Performing Maha Shivaratri Pooja

Following the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, priests perform ritual puja of

Shiva Linga every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri

Festival. During this pooja, chants of Om Namah Shivaya and sounds of bells

reverberate in the temple. Following the bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee,

sugar and water that helps in the purification of the soul a vermilion paste is

applied on the Linga as it represents virtue. These six items form an

indispensable part of Shivaratri, be it a simple ceremony at home or grand temple

worship

 

After this, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is

kept on top of the Shivalinga to cool the hot-tempered deity. Ber or

jujube fruit is also offered to Lord Shiva, as it is symbolic of longevity and

gratification of desires. Some devotees also offer the auspicious betel

leaves to Lord Shiva marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures.

Garlanding of Linga with flowers and garlands is also a part of the ritual

Shivaratri Puja. Devotees also burn incense sticks as is said to yield

wealth. Many also light lamps to symbolize attainment of knowledge. It

is said that by offering water, hugging the Linga, lighting the diya and

incense and ringing the temple bells, devotees call into focus all their

senses, making them acutely aware of themselves and the universe to which they

belong.

 

This ritual worship of Lord Shiva continues through the day and night of

Shivaratri. Devotees stay awake and spent the night in Shiva temples by chanting

‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and singing hymns and verses in praise of Lord

Shankar. Devotees observing vrat on Shivaratri break it only the next morning

by partaking prasad offered to Lord Shiva.

 

 

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