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( Puja vidhi · Lord Shiva (Mahadev, Bholenath) )
Shiv Puja
शिव पूजा
- 01 / deity
- Lord Shiva (Mahadev, Bholenath)
- 02 / occasion
- Monday (Shiva's sacred day), Maha Shivratri, Shravan month, Pradosh (13th tithi)
- 03 / duration
- 30 minutes to 2 hours
Shiv Puja is the daily or periodic worship of Lord Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism. Monday is Shiva's sacred day, and Shiv puja on Monday is among the most widely observed practices in Hindu households. The ritual involves bathing the Shivalingam with water, milk, curd, honey, ghee, and sugar (the Panchamrit abhishek), offering Bilva leaves, and chanting the Panchakshara mantra 'Om Namah Shivaya'.
( Prepare the space )
gather the samagri.
- 01
Shivalingam (or image of Lord Shiva) — even a natural stone can serve
- 02
Water (from a copper vessel if possible)
- 03
Panchamrit: milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar
- 04
Bilva (bel) leaves — three-lobed, symbolising Shiva's trident. The most essential offering
- 05
Dhatura flowers and cannabis leaves (traditional offerings, used ceremonially, not consumed)
- 06
White flowers (especially jasmine and white lotus) — red flowers are offered to Durga, not Shiva
- 07
Vibhuti (sacred ash) — rubbed on the Lingam and applied on the forehead
- 08
Incense, camphor, and a sesame oil or ghee lamp
- 09
Blue or white cloth for altar
( Follow the rite )
step by step, with care.
- 01
Clean the Shivalingam and altar with water. Sankalp: state your name, gotra, and intention for the puja
- 02
Perform Panchamrit abhishek: pour milk, curd, ghee, honey, and sugar over the Lingam, one at a time, chanting 'Om Namah Shivaya' with each
- 03
Bathe the Lingam with clean water to complete the abhishek
- 04
Apply vibhuti (sacred ash) to the Lingam and to your forehead at the tripundra (three horizontal lines)
- 05
Offer Bilva leaves: 3, 11, 21, or 108 leaves, with each offered with 'Om Namah Shivaya'. This is the most powerful offering to Shiva
- 06
Offer flowers, dhatura (if available), and datura or Akanda flowers as traditional Shiva offerings
- 07
Light the lamp and incense. Chant Om Namah Shivaya 108 times on a rudraksha mala
- 08
Recite the Shiva Chalisa or Maha Mrityunjaya Mantra 108 times. Conclude with Shiva Aarti
( Main mantra )
Om Namah Shivaya
Chant 108 times during the puja.( Questions families ask )
before the ritual begins.
01What is the procedure for Monday Shiv puja?+
Monday (Somvar) Shiv puja begins with a bath before sunrise. The Shivalingam is bathed with water or Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar). Bilva leaves are offered, then flowers, vibhuti, and a lamp is lit. Om Namah Shivaya is chanted 108 times on a rudraksha mala. Fasting (eating only fruits, milk, and one meal after sunset) is traditional on Mondays dedicated to Shiva.
02What should not be offered to Shiva?+
Tulsi leaves, kumkum (vermillion), red flowers (especially red hibiscus), and conch shell water should not be offered to Shiva (these are Vishnu's offerings). According to Shiva Purana, turmeric should also not be applied to the Shivalingam (though it is used for Shiva's consort Parvati). Coconut water and cow's milk are particularly auspicious.
03When is Maha Shivratri and how is it observed?+
Maha Shivratri falls on the 14th (Chaturdashi) of the Krishna Paksha in the month of Phalguna (February–March). It is the most important night of the year for Shiva worship. Devotees fast all day, observe a vigil through the night (jaagran), perform four abhisheks at the four prahar (three-hour periods of the night), and recite the Shiva Sahasranama or Lingashtakam. Visiting a Jyotirlinga temple (the 12 primary Shiva shrines) on Maha Shivratri is considered especially meritorious.
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