Shiv Puja is a special worship ritual dedicated to Lod Shiva, one of the most important gods in Hinduism, known as the destroyer and transformer. Shiva is revered for his strength, compassion and ability to overcome evil. He is a part of the Holy Trimurti alongside Brahma and Vishnu. Worshipping him helps devotees seek blessings for peace, prosperity and spiritual growth.
Importance of Shiv Puja
Shiva is known for destroying negativity and ignorance, helping devotees to obstacles in their lives. He represents harmony between creation and destruction, male and female. Shiv Puja encourages personal growth and helps devotees to find balance in life. Worshiping him helps people to connect with their true selves and overcome obstacles and negativity in their lives.
Types of Shiv Puja
There are several types of Shiv Puja and each one has its own significance, ritual and times. Here are some of the most common types of Shiv Puja:
- Abhishekam- Abhishekam is a ritual bathing of Lord Shiva and is believed to purify the Linga and invoke Lord Shiva’s blessing. Devotees offer water, milk, honey, yoghurt and ghee over the Linga while chanting mantras.
- Maha Shivratri Puja - Maha Shivratri is a special puja dedicated to lord Shiva annually. Devotees awaken throughout the night, perform abhishekam on Shivling and chant mantras. It symbolizes overcoming darkness and ignorance.
- Shravan Month Puja - During the month of Shravan, devotees perform a special puja dedicated to Lord Shiva. The month is considered highly auspicious month for Shiva worship. Devotees often fast on Monday, offer water and milk to the Shivling and visit temples.
- Rudrabhishekam - A special type of abhishekam dedicated to Lord Rudra, an aspect of Shiva. It is believed to remove obstacles and grant health and wealth to devotees. It includes a detailed abhishekam with various offerings and mantras to Lord Shiva.
- Panchakshari Puja - Panchakshari puja involves chanting the Pnachakshari mantra “Om Namah Shivay”, which means “I bow to Shiva”. It is a powerful mantra performed by devotees to attain peace, wisdom and spiritual realization.
- Shiva Puran Recitation - Devotees read the Shiv Puran, a sacred text where the detailed stories and teachings of Lord Shiva are mentioned. This can be done individually or in a group, often accompanied by prayers and offerings.
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Shiv Puja Samagari
Shiv Puja Samagri are essential for conducting Shiv Puja properly and are believed to enhance the devotion and sincerity of the worship. The various items used in the worship of Lord Shiva are mentioned below:
- Water
- Milk
- Curd
- Honey
- Ghee
- Surga
- Bael Leaves
- Flowers
- Incense sticks
- Diyas
- Candles
- Fruits
- Sweets
- Rudraksha beads
- Red and White Cloth
- Chandan
- Rice
- Aarti Thali
Time to Perform Shiv Puja
Different rules and days have specific auspicious timing. The timing of Shiv Puja is important for maximizing its spiritual benefits.
Daily Shiv Puja
The best time to do Shiv puja daily is in the early morning during Brahma Muhurat. Particularly, in the evening, Sandhya Vandan is also an auspicious time to perform Shiva Puja.
Maha Shivratri
The most auspicious time for performing Maha Shivratri is the entire night between midnight. Many devotees fast on these days and stay awake throughout the night by performing prayers and rituals.
Shravan Month
In Shravan month, Monday is an auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva.
Rudrabhishekam
It can be performed on any auspicious day or during festivals dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Note - Avoid performing puja during inauspicious times known as Rahukal and Yamaganda, which vary each day. Consult the Hindu calendar as it often provides specific timings for auspicious moments for worship.
Vidhi and Mantras for Shiv Puja
Below is a step-by-step guide for performing Shiv puja along with Mantras:
- Ensure the place is clean and tidy.
- Collect all the necessary items for the puja.
- Decorate the pedestal with clean red or white cloth and place the Shivling on it.
- It performs a large puja, starting with Ghatsthapana by placing a sacred pot filled with water and a coconut on the top. This marks the beginning of the puja.
- Light a diya to symbolize the removal of darkness.
- Offer Bael leaves and other flowers on the Shivling while chanting mantras "ॐ नमः शिवाय" (Om Namah Shivaya).
- Pour water, milk, curd, honey and ghee over the Shivling by chanting mantra "ॐ जलेनाभिषिक्तोऽसि, ॐ अमृतं तन्नोऽसि" (Om Jalena Abhishekto'si, Om Amritam Tanno'si).
- Offer fruits and sweets to the shivling, which express a way to share blessings with the deity.
- Recite sacred mantra dedicated to Lord Shiva "ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥"(Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam, Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat). This mantra is known as Maha Mirtyunjaya Mantra.
- Perform aarti by waving a lit lamp in front of the Shivling while singing a devotional song (Shiv Aarti).
- After completing the puja, offer a final prayer expressing gratitude to Lord Shiva for his blessings.
- Share the Naivedya as prasad with family and friends symbolizing the share of divine blessing of Lord Shiva.
Performing Shiv Puja by the following rituals and chanting mantras helps in seeking Lord Shiva’s blessing for peace, health and spiritual growth.
