Tag: Shiv Puja

  • Do You Worship Lord Shiva These Ways for Wealth & Prosperity?

    Lord Shiva is known as the destructor. He is considered as the supernatural power to penetrate balance on the earth. He neither took birth nor can be died. This is why Hindus consider him a deity, a mystical force. It is believed that appeasing him establishes wealth and prosperity in the house.

    But only any but the correct way of worshipping can appease him. Let’s walk through the correct way that priests recommend for revering lord Shiva.
    • Place idol at the bustling place: Since it’s about worshipping, the worshipper must attend clean and keep the place clutter-free. Choose such place where your visit is regular. Avoid isolated or secluded place to establish his idol.
    • Don’t offer turmeric: Avoid worshipping him with turmeric. Since this herb is worldwide famous for its contribution to beauty enhancement. Many cosmetics and beauty products have configured it in their products’ manufacturing. So, it symbolizes beauty which is used in context of females. Conversely, he is a male deity. So, its anointment must be avoided.
    • Avoid vermillion; offer Bael (wood apple) fruit: Vermillion is better known as Sindoor. It symbolizes the husband of a married woman. The wedded women wear it for prolonging the life of their husband. Since lord Shiva is destructive by nature, he must not be worshipped with the accessory that elongates life. He does not like it. Instead, offer bael fruit with Ganges water, sugar, milk and water (Panchamrit) during Shiva puja for getting blessed with long life.
    • Anoint with Sandalwood: Since sandalwood paste soothes and penetrates coolness, Shivlinga should be anointed with it. This practice appeases him.
    • Throw tantrum before shifting: As per Hindu religion, the establishment of any idol requires mandatory rituals. For placing his idol, the priest must throw all the tantrums stated in scriptures. The place where to establish must be clean. Place the idol after pouring some Ganges water with un-boiled milk on it. This process is known as purification.
    • Snake should be coiled in idol: However, his idol should be made of gold, silver or brass. But if the person is incapable of buying it, the idol of bone-china or clay can be a good option. Always remember that the snake must be coiled around his texture.
    • Stream the water over idol: There should have the water streaming over his idol. According to Hindu mythology, he gulped the poison which was as hot as fire. To end that burning sensation, he put on moon-a symbol of coolness.
    According to science, the water is streamed to keep the idol intact and free of cracks. The harsh weather causes cracks with the passage of time. But the flow of water keeps it dewy and moist. Consequently, the cracks and crevices don’t develop.
    • Worship Guari and Ganesha along: The worshipping will not be fruitful until and unless goddess Gauri and lord Ganesha are worshipped with his idol.
    • Offer white flowers: Neither red flower nor yellow ones, he loves white flowers. So, worship him with white flower. Avoid Kewda or Champa flowers since he dislikes them.
    • Don’t eat before worshipping: Pray and worship while starving. Consuming eatables and then, praying could make the deity furious. So, don’t eat before worshipping.

    Hinduism states following rituals as per guidelines mentioned in the scriptures, like vedas and puran. All religious tantrums have scientific aspect also. This is why the method of worshipping each deity varies.

  • Why & How is Maha Shivaratri Celebrated?

    The night dedicated to lord Shiva is ‘Maha Shivaratri’. It’s a Hindu festival. Devotees celebrate it with fervor. The environment echoes with the ringing of bells and conches.

    When does Maha Shivaratri fall?

    Maha Shivaratri falls in the Hindi month of Phalgun (or February/March as per Gregorian calendar). It comes on the Krishna Paksha Trayodashi or Chaturdashi of Bikram Samvat. Reverends conduct ‘Jaagaran’ to worship Mahadeva throughout night.

    Why it is celebrated?

    Shiva is a legend himself. His legendary is mentioned in Garuda Purana and many other scriptures of Hindus. Let’s catch a few famous mythologies that stat the significance of this festival.

    Lord Shiva is considered as an illuminating figure. Let’s learn ‘Why’. It was the time when there was no cosmos. Lord Brahma suddenly came out of lord Vishnu’s navel.  A rift broke out between them over claiming superiority. Lord Shiva intercepted. He set them off to find the north & south end of the pillar of light. Brahma took avatar of a swan while Vishnu became a boar.

    A flower namely ‘Ketki’ told a lie to favour Brahma. He claimed that he had found the southern end. And lord Vishnu told the truth of finding no end. Lord Shiva got angry over liar Brahma. He cursed him to deprive of being worshipped.

    Another is the story of Samudra Manthan. The churning of ocean produced a byproduct called ‘Poison’. Lord Shiva saved the earth from the impending destruction due to that poison. He bears earth in his stomach. He choked it in his neck that turned his throat in to blue. This is why he is known as ‘Neelkantha’.

    One more story also goes of Maha Shivaratri. King Chitrabhanu had regression of his past life. He recalled that he was a hunter then. One day, he did not make out any hunting. It was only mean of earning bread and butter. So, he sat on the bael tree. With empty stomach, he kept awake throwing leaves down at Shivalinga. Canned water in his hand was dropping down. It was the night of Maha Shivaratri. Involuntarily, he did fasting and worshipping of lord Shiva.

    Appeased lord called him to his abode when he took his last breathe. Lord’s messengers had a terrible fight with the messenger of Yama (the deity of death) since they wanted to take him along. The former messengers defeated the latter.

    How people celebrate this festival?   

    Worshippers take a bath early in the morning. They add a few drops of Ganges water to it for purifying themselves. Wearing clean cloths, they head to the temple with offerings. Hindus living abroad book priest online to conduct Shiv puja at home.

    The offering of betel leaves, applewood, sandalwood paste, vermillion, and fruits made him happy. The worshippers light incense sticks and an earthen lamp before his idol.

    The prayer begins with offering water and milk to the Shivalinga. Afterwards, they circumambulate it three to seven times. Then, they offer the offerings. Chanting Shiva’s favourite mantra ‘Om Namah Shivay’, they appease him.