Performing Puja (Worship)

Conducting a formal worship ceremony involving rituals, offerings, and prayers to Lord Shiva’s image or Lingam is a regular practice in many households and temples.

Performing Puja (worship) of Lord Shiva involves a series of steps and rituals that can vary in detail based on regional traditions and personal preferences. Here’s a comprehensive guide to performing Shiva Puja:

Preparation

Purification (Achaman):

Take a small quantity of water in the right hand and sip it thrice, reciting:

"Om Keshavaya Namaha, Om Narayana Namaha, Om Madhavaya Namaha"

This purifies the body and mind for the worship.

Setting Up the Altar (Puja Mandir):

Place a clean cloth on the altar or designated space.

Position the Shiva Lingam or image of Lord Shiva facing north or east. Ideally, the Lingam should be placed on a silver, copper, or brass plate.

Gathering Materials

Offerings: Ensure you have a variety of offerings ready:

Flowers: Especially white flowers like jasmine and bilva leaves.

Fruits: Preferably sweet fruits like bananas, apples, or grapes.

Dairy: Milk, curd (yogurt), ghee (clarified butter), and honey.

Sweeteners: Sugar, jaggery, or rock candy.

Coconut: Whole coconut or pieces.

Sandalwood paste, vermillion (kumkum), turmeric powder,Incense sticks, camphor, and a lamp with ghee or oil.

Panchamrita: Prepare a mixture of equal parts milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar in a small bowl.

Steps in Shiva Puja

Pranayama and Invocation:

Begin with a few rounds of deep breathing or pranayama to calm the mind and prepare for worship.

Invoke Lord Ganesha and Lord Shiva with prayers such as:

"Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha Nirvighnam Kurume Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada"

Sankalp (Resolution):

State your intention clearly for performing the puja, including the date, time, and purpose.

Ganesh Puja:

Place a small idol or image of Lord Ganesha nearby.

Offer flowers, incense, and light a lamp.

Recite Ganesh Mantra: "Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha" while offering vermillion and flowers.

Kalasha Sthapana (Invocation of Sacred Pot):

Fill a copper or brass Kalasha (pot) with water.

Place mango leaves around the mouth of the Kalasha, and put a coconut on top.

Tie a sacred thread (sutra) around the neck of the Kalasha.

Purification of Puja Items:

Sprinkle water on all puja items and yourself while reciting purification mantras, such as:

"Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gatopiva Ya Smaret Pundarikaksham Sa Bahyabhyantarah Shuchih"

Offerings to Shiva Lingam:

Begin the main puja by offering water (for washing the feet) and then water for bathing the Lingam, chanting "Om Namah Shivaya" or Rudra Mantras.

Follow with offerings of milk, curd, honey, ghee, and finally water again.

Dressing the Shiva Lingam:

Apply sandalwood paste, vermillion (kumkum), and turmeric paste on the Lingam.

Offer garlands of flowers and bilva leaves. You can recite the Shiva Ashtottara Shatanamavali (108 names) during this process.

Lighting the Lamp and Incense:

Light the lamp with ghee or oil and wave it in a clockwise motion around the Lingam.

Light the incense sticks and wave them in a similar manner.

Offering Naivedya (Food Offering):

Place the prepared fruits, sweets, or food offerings before the Lingam.

Mentally offer the food to Lord Shiva while chanting "Om Panchavadanaaya Namaha."

Arati:

Perform Arati with the lamp, moving it in a circular motion while singing or reciting Arati hymns such as "Om Jai Shiv Omkara" or "Karpur Gauram Karunavataram."

Prayer and Meditation:

Sit quietly in meditation, focusing on Lord Shiva’s form or repeating his name.

Offer personal prayers, expressing gratitude, seeking blessings, and asking for spiritual guidance.

Distributing Prasad:

Conclude the puja by offering the prasad (blessed offerings) to family members, participants, or consuming it yourself as a sacrament.

Conclusion

Closing Prayer (Shanti Mantra):

Conclude with a Shanti Mantra, such as:

"Om Sarvesham Swastir Bhavatu Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu Sarvesham Purnam Bhavatu Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu"

Tips:

Devotion and Focus: Maintain a reverent attitude throughout the puja, focusing your mind on Lord Shiva.

Timing: Ideally, perform the puja during auspicious times like early morning or during Pradosh Kaal (evening twilight).

Mantras: Learn and recite mantras with sincerity and understanding of their meanings to deepen your connection with Lord Shiva.

By following these detailed steps, you can perform Shiva Puja effectively, fostering a deeper spiritual connection with Lord Shiva and inviting his blessings into your life.