Shivaratri Pooja has its importance in Hindu culture. It is believed that if you worship Lord Shiva on this auspicious day of Mahashivratri, Lord Shankara blesses you with a healthy and happy life. It also helps you eliminate the sins of the past and gives you salvation. 

About Shivaratri Puja

 As per Shiva Purana, worshipping Lord Shiva with complete faith gives you added blessings which include spiritual growth too. If you are thinking about seeking blessings from Lord Shiva this Mahashivratri then this article will help you get in all the details about the Pooja. You need the Mahashivratri Pooja Samagri to perform the Pooja. You can order the samagri from different online stores too.

Benefits of performing Mahashivratri Pooja

Shiva Purana says devotees can benefit from performing abhisheka of ShivaLinga using 6 types of dravyas which are yogurt, milk, ghee water, and sugar with chanting mantra “Sri Rudram, Chamakam & Dasa Shanthi” impresses Lord Shiva.

Indian mythology mentions that each of these dravyas represents different blessings like

• Yogurt represents –prosperity

• Milk represents – spirituality and purity

• Ghee represents the victory

• Honey represents - sweet speech

• Water represents - purity

• Sugar represents - happiness

Blessings for women

Worshipping Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri also brings in a lot of benefits for women.

Married women pray Lord Shiva for well being of her children and husband. On the other hand, unmarried women pray Lord Shiva to get an ideal husband like Lord Shiva.

Preparations for Shivratri Pooja

You have to wake up early in the morning and take a bath. It can be a ritual bath in waters of sacred river Ganga.

Start your day by praying Sun God, Vishnu & Shiva respectively with purification ritual followed in all Hindu festivals.

Wear washed clothes and visit any Shiva temple close to your place.

You can also fast on Shivratri day as part of the tradition. Some devotees believe in strict fasting without water.

How to perform Maha Shivaratri Pooja

As per the methods described in Shiva Purana, pundits/priests carry out the Shiva Linga pooja according to the rituals all through the day and night on Mahashivratri day.

The chanting of Mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” with bell sound echoes throughout the temple.

 The Shiva Linga is offered a holy bath using honey, milk, ghee, yogurt, water, and sugar. It is believed that the bath purifies it and then a paste of vermilion is applied to it. These six dravyas are a significant part of Shivaratri performed at home or in the temple.

Bilwa leaves are significant

Now, Bilwa leaves (stalk of three leaves) are offered to Shivalinga to calm the angered deity.  Devotees also offer jujube or Ber fruit to Lord Shiva. This fruit is believed to bless with longevity and fulfillment of wishes.

There are also betel leaves included in the shiv puja samagri list in Telugu and other parts of India to be offered to Lord Shiva.

Temple garlands and marigold flowers are offered to Linga, which is the important ritual of Shivaratri Puja. There are some special items people consider as per their faith:

• Mango Leaf
• Red Roses
• Lilly
• Jasmine Loose
• Jasmine Strings
• Cotton Wicks
• Sandalwood Powder

Incense sticks are burnt as it is believed that they generate wealth. Lighting lamps are also part of the Pooja which represents acquiring knowledge.

Significance of Linga Puja

It is believed that when you offer water, Bilvam to the Linga, hug the Linga and lit diya and dhoop stick vel (incense sticks) along with bell sounds, it helps devotees think of the universe they belong to and focus on prayers thanking Lord Shiva for all that he has given to us.

Day and night prayers

The prayers offered to Lord Shiva continue throughout day and night on the auspicious day of MahaShivaratri.

Devotees use Mahashivratri pooja samagri and offer prayers by staying awake all night in temples of Lord Shiva. The chanting of the mantra ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ continues in temples.

Many devotees fast on this day and break their fast the next morning after offering Prasad to Lord Shiva.

Maha Shivaratri is the significant festivals of Indian tradition. Many people who stay outside India find it difficult to order Mahashivratri Pooja Samagri to perform the pooja. But, now devotees all across the world can order pooja samagri online and offers prayers to Lord Shiva on Mahashivratri.