Shiva Poems

Recite melodious Shiva poems on the auspicious occasion of Shivaratri. Shiva poetry invoke devotion and dedication towards Lord Shiva and help us to receive blessings of the holy figure. Given below are some beautiful poems of Lord Shiva.

Divine Lord bless me with your love
Divine Lord bless me with your love,
Divine Lord bless me so that I may lie at your feet,
Thou divine feet emits the glow of eternal joy
Divine Lord be my guide.
Divine Lord forgive my ignorance,
Divine Lord extend your blessings
so that I may bathe in your glorious light.

Divine Lord let me melt into the beauty,
Divine Lord thou are father and mother to me,
Like a naughty child please forgive my sins and my failings.
Lead me to your wisdom,
Let me bathe in your purity,
Offer my devotion to you in this
lifetime and others to come.

O Lord let me lie at your feet with devotion,
Bless me as your devotee evermore.
oh my Lord thou can heal my aching heart,
oh Lord let me lie at your feet for eternity.


Lord Shiva
On the white summit of eternity
A single Soul of bare infinities,
Guarded he keeps by a fire-screen of peace
His mystic loneliness of nude ecstasy.
But, touched by an immense delight to be,
He looks across unending depths and sees
Musing amid the inconscient silences
The Mighty Mother's dumb felicity.

Half now awake she rises to his glance;
Then, moved to circling by her heart-beats' will,
The rhythmic words describe that passion-dance.
Life springs in her and Mind is born; her face
She lifts to Him who is Herself, until
The Spirit leaps into the Spirit's embrace.

Lord Your Maya
Oh! Lord your Maya does not give me up even
When I have given it up. In spite of my
resistance it clings to me and follows me.

Your Maya becomes Yogini to the Yogin. It
becomes a nun to the monk, it becomes a
herald to the saint. It adapts itself to
each according to his nature.

When I climbed up the hill, your Maya too
came up; when I entered the forest, your
Maya too entered behind me.
So the world does not take its hand off
my back even now!

O, Lord of infinite mercy, your Maya frightens
me. O Lord Mallikarjuna, bestow your grace
on me.

Our Lord
At the world's dawn
The black cow of cosmic night lies
With the ruddy cow of morning
The Father rapes his virgin daughter
Agni, the hunter, shoots his arrow
The Father, a frenzied foaming bull, runs
Spilling his seed upon the ground
The daughter runs south.

Ripened by Agni, the progeny's patter begins.
"Fire is a hunter."
It sustains and destroys.
Vastospati, Guardian of sacred order, lord of vastu,
Guardian of the dwelling, site, house, sacrifice
Manifests.
The fallen seed, the birth of humankind,
the poem Begin
Howling Engender form.

The rhythmic structure, the wild creation
The unnamed god evoke the scene, consciousness
wakes. Time begins. Patter patter. Rhythm pervades the cosmos.

Shiva
There is a hawk that is picking the birds out of our sky,
She killed the pigeons of peace and security,
She has taken honesty and confidence from nations and men,
She is hunting the lonely heron of liberty.
She loads the arts with nonsense, she is very cunning
Science with dreams and the state with powers to catch them at last.
Nothing will escape her at last, flying nor running.
This is the hawk that picks out the star's eyes.
This is the only hunter that will ever catch the wild swan;
The prey she will take last is the wild white swan of the beauty of things.
Then she will be alone, pure destruction, achieved and supreme,
Empty darkness under the death-tent wings.
She will build a nest of the swan's bones and hatch a new brood,
Hang new heavens with new birds, all be renewed.

Shiva Bhajans

Shiva Bhajans are simple soulful songs that splurges you in the love for almighty and makes you extremely devotional. Usher in the festive mood this Mahashivratri by chanting some melodious Shiva Bhajans. A good collection of Shivaratri Bhajans are available on this page. Read, learn and pass these harmonic Bhajans to all Shiva devotees and make the religious ceremony extremely ethical. If you also have some different and beautiful Shiva Bhajans then send us to enrich the collection of this holy page.

Jai Shiv Shankar
Jai Shiv Shankar
Jai Shiv Shankar, Swami Jai Shiv Shankar
Kasht haro Swami humaar, Swami kash haro humaar
Sharan mein apni le ke Bhagwan, mauka do apni sewa ka
He mere Bholenath, yehi vinti karta hun swaminath
Kya maya hai kya nahi, main agyaani nahi jaanu
Mere Swami main to aapko sarvasv maanu
Apna sewak bana lo bhagwan, main na chahun ye sansar
Main aur meri ardhangni, sewa karen aapki aur maa parvati ki
Is Sansar se humein mukt kar, apne charanon mein jagah den
Yehi vinti karta hun swaminaath , yehi prarthna karta hun
Jai Shiv Shankar, Swami Jai Shiv Shankar
Sharan mein apni le ke Bhagwan, mauka do apni sewa ka
Jai Shiv Shankar, Swami Jai Shiv Shankar


Khade Hain Dar pe Darshan Ko
Khade hain dar pe darshan ko
Charan Shivji ke chune ko.

Agar main jal chadati hun to wo machli ka jhuta hai
isiliye paer nahi padte tere mandir mein aane ko.
Khade hai dar pe darshan ko
Charan Shivji ke chune ko.

Agar mein phool chadati hun to wo bhanware ka jhutha hai
isiliye paer nahi padte tere mandir mein aane ko.
Khade hai dar pe darshan ko
Charan Shivji ke chune ko.

Agar mein dil chadati hun to wo paapon ka jhutha hai
Agar mein phool chadati hun to wo bhanware ka jhutha hai
isiliye paer nahi padte tere mandir mein aane ko.
Khade hai dar pe darshan ko
Charan Shivji ke chune ko.


Kabhi Ram Banke, Kabhi Shyam Banke
Kabhi Ram banke kabhi Shyam banke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Meaning: O my Lord, please come to me, sometimes taking the Divine form of Rama and at other times in the Divine form of Shyama, please come to me!

Kabhi Ram banke kabhi Shyam banke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Tum Rama roop me aana
Tum Rama roop me aana
Sita saath leke Dhanusha haath leke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Meaning: Please come to me in the Divine form of Rama holding bow and arrows in your hands and along with your consort Sita devi.

Kabhi Ram banke kabhi Shyam banke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Tum Shyam roop me aana
Tum Shyam roop me aana

Radha saath leke murali haath leke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Meaning: Lord, please come to me in the Divine form of Shyama (Krishna) holding the flute in your hands together with your sweetheart Radha.

Kabhi Ram banke kabhi Shyam banke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Tum Shivaki roop me aana
Tum Shivaki roop me aana

Gauri saath leke damaru haath leke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Meaning: O my Lord, please come in the Divine form of Shiva holding 'damaru' (musical cymbal) in your hands and accompanied your divine consort Gauri.

Kabhi Ram banke kabhi Shyam banke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Tum Vishnu roop me aana
Tum Vishnu roop me aana

Lakshmi saath leke Chakra haath leke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Meaning: O Lord, please come in the Divine form of Vishnu holding the disc in your hands and together with your spouse, Lakshmi Devi.

Kabhi Ram banke kabhi Shyam banke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Tum Ganpati roop me aana
Tum Ganpati roop me aana

Riddhi saath leke Siddhi haath leke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Meaning: O Lord, please come on the Divine form of Ganesha, along with our wives, Riddhi by your side and holding the hand of Siddhi.

Kabhi Ram banke kabhi Shyam banke
Chale aana Prabhuji chale aana

Meaning: O Lord please come by, sometimes as Rama and at other times as Shyama, please do come and bless me with Divine vision.

Shivaratri Recipes

Check out this collection of traditional and delicious Shivaratri Recipes! Since many people observe fast on Mahashivratri, general recipes have been avoided in this section. In case you too have a special recipe for Shivratri do share it with us and help us enhance this site.

List of Shivratri Recipes

» Thandai
» Cashew Nut Barfi (Kaju Katli)
» Saboodana Kheer
» Potato Pumpkin Pancakes
» Shivratri Raita
» Aloo Khichdi
» Aloo Tikki
» Green Gram Fry
» Sweet Yam (Chakravelli)
» Pachi Pulusu (Raw Rasam)
» SagoSaboodana Khichdi


Thandai
Ingredients(makes 8 glasses):

1 cup: Milk
1½ cups: Sugar
1/4 cup: Dried or fresh Rose petals (gulkand variety)
1½ litres: Water
1 tbsp: Almonds
1 tbsp: Kharbooj/Tarbooj seeds skinned (commercially available)
(these are skinned dried seeds of watermelon and cantaloupes)
1 tsp: Peppercorns (whole)
½ tbsp: Khuskhus (poppy seeds)
½ tbsp: Saunf (aniseed)
½ tsp: Cardamom powder or 15 whole pods
½ tsp: Rose Water (optional)

Method:
-Soak sugar in ½ litre of the water used. Keep aside.
-Wash clean all other dry ingredients, except cardamom if using powder.
-Soak in 2 cups of remaining water. Keep aside.
-Allow each soaked item to stand for at least 2 hours.
-Grind all soaked ingredient (not sugar) to a very fine paste.
-Use a stone grinder (manual or electric) if possible.
-When the paste is very fine, mix remaining water.
-Place a strong muslin strainer over a large deep vessel. Or tie a strong muslin cloth over rim of vessel and use to strain.
-Press through muslin with back of palms, extracting the liquid into vessel.
-Add remaining water, a little at a time to extract more.
-Pour - back some of the extract and press, repress.
-Repeat this process till the residue becomes dry and husk-like.
-Add milk, sugar and rosewater to the extracted liquid.
-If using cardamom powder mix it in with the milk.
-Mix well. Chill for an hour or two before serving.


Cashew Nut Barfi (Kaju Katli)
Ingredients: (makes 20 pieces)

200 ml: Milk
250 gms: Cashew nuts
250 gms: Sugar
Silver foil for decoration (optional)

Method:
-Blend together cashews and milk very finely, in a blender.
-Put the paste in a kadhai, add sugar and cook over low flame. Stir till the sugar dissolves and then bring to a boil.
-Continue stirring over medium flame, till mixture collects together and becomes dough-like.
-Remove from flame, cool enough a hit, roll on to a greased surface with a greased rolling pin to ¼ cm/1/8" thickness.
-Cover with silver foil and cool.
-Cut into diamond shaped pieces and transfer onto a serving dish.

Tip: Those not allowed to eat fats may use singhara flour to dust pin, surface and dough while rolling.


Saboodana Kheer
Ingredients:

4 cups: Milk
1 tbsp: Sago granules
3/4 cup: Sugar
1/4 tsp: Cardamom powder
1 cup: Water

Method:
-Wash and drain sago, keep aside for 10 minutes.
-When moisture is absorbed, loosen grains.
-Heat water. Add sago, bring to a boil while stirring.
-Reduce heat, simmer for 5-6 minutes, and add a tbsp. more water if required.
-Add milk; bring back to a boil.
-Simmer for 5 minutes. Add sugar, cardamom.
-Stir occasionally, simmer till sago granule is cooked, but not mushy.
-Check by pressing it between thumb and finger. It should flatten on pressing.
-Serve hot, with nuts if desired.



Potato Pumpkin Pancakes
Ingredients (makes 8-10 pancakes):

1 no: Large potato
1 big chunk Pumpkin
1 cup: Kootu flour
1/2 cup: Singhara flour
1/4 cup: Curd
2 no: Green chilies
1" piece: Ginger
1/2 cup: Coriander finely chopped
Oil to shallow fry
Salt to taste

Method
-Run ginger and chilies in a mixer to crush finely.
-Grate potato and pumpkin into a bowl of cold salted water.
-Take flours in a deep bowl.
-Make a well in the centre. Put coriander.
-Press out water from grated veggies completely. Add in centre, with chilli-ginger.
-Add salt, mix everything into an even batter.
-Add some water if required.
-Batter must be thick enough to spread on nonstick pan.
-Keep aside for 30 minutes.
-Heat 1 tbsp. Oil. Add to batter and mix well.
-Heat nonstick tava or flat pan.
-Pour one ladle-full batter in centre.
-Spread to form a pancake, thin as possible.
-Allow cooking. Drizzle with some oil.
-Roast further till crisp.
-Serve hot with pumpkin chutney or coconut chutney.

Variations: Pancakes can be varied widely, by adding toasted rajgiri, soaked granules of sago (sabudana), grated coconut etc.



Shivratri Raita
Ingredients

1 cup: Fresh thick curd
1 no: Sweet potato, boiled, chopped
1 no: Potato, boiled, chopped
1 no: Cucumber, chopped
4-5 no: Waterchestnuts (singhara), boiled, peeled & chopped
1 tbsp: Coriander finely chopped
1 no: small Green Chili, finely chopped
1 tbsp: Roasted peanuts, whole
1/2 tsp: Cumin seed, powder
1/2 tsp: Cumin seeds, whole
1 tsp: Oil
Sugar to taste
Salt to taste

Method:
-Beat curd in a deep salad bowl.
-Add cumin powder, salt, sugar, chili and mix well.
-Add all prepared vegetables, peanuts and mix to blend well.
-Chill well till required.
-Before Serving:
-Heat oil in a small crucible, or tempering spoon.
-Add cumin seeds; allow spluttering.
-Pour sizzling tempering over raitha.
-Garnish with chopped coriander.

Note: To save time in chilling raitas, chilled prepared ingredients well ahead of time.


Aloo Khichdi
Ingredients:

1 cup: Samwat /Parsai ke chaawal (washed)
1 no: large Potato, diced small
1 tsp: Zeera
1 tiny piece: Cinnamon
2 no: Chhoti elaichi
2 no: Green Chilies, chopped finely
3 cups: Green coriander for garnishing
2 tbsp: Ghee/oil
2 tsp: Sendha namak (rock salt)
3 cups: Water


Method:

-Heat ghee. Add zeera, elaichi and daalchini.
-When slightly colored, add potato and rice.
-Stir-fry till they look a bit fried.
-Add chopped green chilies.
-Add salt and water. Bring to a boil.
-Lower the flame and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes or till cooked through and the water is absorbed.
-Serve hot garnished with hara dhania.

Aloo Tikki
Ingredients: (makes - 7 to 8 tikkis)

3 no: Large Potatoes, boiled, peeled, mashed coarsely
1/2 cup: Singhare ka atta (waterchestnut flour)
1 tbsp: Fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped
5 no: Green chilies, finely chopped
1/4 tsp: Black pepper powder
1/4 tsp: Kala namak (black salt)
Oil to shallow fry
Salt to taste

Method:

-Mix all ingredients (except oil) till smooth.
-Knead into pliable dough.
-Shape into 2" round thick flat patties (grease hands if it sticks).
-Grease griddle with a little oil, heat.
-Place patties; allow cooking on low flame till golden.
-Flip and cook other side, drizzle more oil if required.
-Serve hot with green chutney or peanut curd chutney.
Tip: If you are on low cal diet, roast tikkis on nonstick tava, without using oil.


Green Gram Fry
Ingredients (one cup):

1 cup: Green gram
3 cups: Water
1 chopped: Onion
5-6 tbsp: Oil
1 tbsp: Mustard seeds
Red chilly: according to the requirement
Salt: according to taste

Method:

-Boil green gram till its properly cooked.
-After boiling, keep it aside.
-Take a pan.
-Heat it and add oil.
-When oil heats up, add mustard sees followed by onion and red chilly.
-When its properly fried add the cooked gram.
-Add salt for taste. Mix well with a little lime squeezed over it.
-Contributed by: Ramanibalu


Sweet Yam (Chakravelli)
Ingredients:

2: Sweet yam
1/4 cup: Jaggery
1/2 cup: Water
3-4: Elaichi/cardamom powder/seeds
2 tsp: Ghee


Method:

-Wash, peel and pressure cook sweet yam for 15 minutes or till it tenders. Then cut in cubes.
-Take water in a kadai/pan and put jaggery in it. Keep stirring till jaggery melts down.
-Now add yam in it and sprinkle the cardamom powder or the seeds.
-Pour ghee and mix well. Remove from fire and after naivedya, eat and distribute.



Pachi Pulusu (Raw Rasam)
Ingredients:

50 gms: Tamarind
2 small: Onion
25 gms: Sesame seeds
5: Green chillies
1/2 bunch small: Coriander
Salt: according to taste


Method:

-Soak tamarind in water for about an hour.
-Roast sesame seeds on a plain frying pan until light brown (no oil).
-Grind roasted sesame seeds into powder in a mixer (little water can be added if it doesn't get ground properly)
-Chop onion and chillies finely and mix thoroughly in a bowl with powdered sesame and set it aside.
-Extract juice from soaked tamarind. Throw away the tamarind pulp.
-Mix extracted tamarind juice with the powder you have set aside in step 4.
-Add chopped coriander.
-Add salt according to taste.
-Ready to serve with rice.


SagoSaboodana Khichdi
Ingredients:

2cup: Sago granules
1/2 cup: Groundnut roasted
6: Green chillies
1/4 cup: Oil
Coriander finely chopped
Turmeric powder
Salt to taste

Method:

-Wash and drain sago/saboodana. Keep aside for one hour.
-Grind roasted ground nuts, chillies with some salt. Donot add water and keep the powder aside. -Heat oil in a pan.
-Mix groundnut and chilly powder with drained out sago.
-Add this mixture in the heated pan.
-Cook it at low fire for half an hour. Keep stirring.
-Add chopped tomatoes and grated potatoes.
-Add coriander leaves and serve hot with curd.

Mahashivratri

Mahashivaratri Festival is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun. Devotees observe fast all through the day and night of Shivaratri in honor of Lord Shiva and pay a visit to Shiva temples. Ritual bath of Shiva Lingam with milk, water, honey etc is also performed by the devotees as a part of the tradition. Many believe that Shivaratri Festival marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. However, according to some legends, it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction.

Please click on the links below to know more about Mahashivaratri Festival and its deep religious significance for the worshippers of Lord Shiva.

» Mahashivaratri Festival
» Shivaratri Rituals
» Shivaratri Pooja
» Shivaratri Celebrations
» Regional Celebrations
» Shivaratri Fast
» Significance of Shivratri

Mahashivaratri Festival

Mahashivaratri Festival or the ‘The Night of Shiva’ is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor in honor of Lord Shiva, one of the deities of Hindu Trinity. Shivaratri falls on the moonless 14th night of the new moon in the Hindu month of Phalgun, which corresponds to the month of February - March in English Calendar. Celebrating the festival of Shivaratri devotees observe day and night fast and perform ritual worship of Shiva Lingam to appease Lord Shiva.

Legends of Mahashivratri

There are various interesting legends related to the festival of Maha Shivaratri. According to one of the most popular legends, Shivaratri marks the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Some believe that it was on the auspicious night of Shivaratri that Lord Shiva performed the ‘Tandava’, the dance of the primal creation, preservation and destruction. Another popular Shivratri legend stated in Linga Purana states that it was on Shivaratri that Lord Shiva manifested himself in the form of a Linga. Hence the day is considered to be extremely auspicious by Shiva devotees and they celebrate it as Mahashivaratri - the grand night of Shiva.

Traditions and Customs of Shivaratri

Various traditions and customs related to Shivaratri Festival are dutifully followed by the worshippers of Lord Shiva. Devotees observe strict fast in honor of Shiva, though many go on a diet of fruits and milk some do not consume even a drop of water. Devotees strongly believe that sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri, absolves a person of sins and liberates him from the cycle of birth and death. Shivaratri is considered especially auspicious for women. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands unmarried women pray for a husband like Lord Shiva, who is regarded as the ideal husband.

To mark the Shivratri festival, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in river Ganga. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva temple to give ritual bath to the Shiva Lingum with milk, honey, water etc.

On Shivaratri, worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the day and night. Every three hours priests perform ritual pooja of Shivalingam by bathing it with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water amidst the chanting of “Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells. Nightlong vigil or jaagran is also observed in Shiva temples where large number of devotees spend the night singing hymns and devotional songs in praise of Lord Shiva. It is only on the following morning that devotee break their fast by partaking prasad offered to the deity.

Shivaratri Rituals

Devotees of Lord Shiva observe the Shivaratri Festival by following the prescribed rituals with sincerity and devotion. All through the day, devotees abstain from eating food and break their fast only the next morning, after the nightlong worship. Ritual baths of Shivalinga in the numerous Shiva temples by Shiva worshipper, mainly women, is another significant feature of Shivratri customs and traditions. Devotees strongly believe that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivaratri absolves them of past sins and they are blessed with Moksha.

Rituals Observed on a Shivaratri Morning

As a tradition devotees wake up early in the morning of the Mahashivratri day and take a ritual sunrise bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. They also offer prayers to the Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva as a part of a purification rite observed on all-important Hindu festivals. After wearing fresh new clothes devotees visit the nearest Shiva Temple to give the customary bath to the Shivalinga.

On a Shivratri day, Shiva temples are thronged by devotees, mainly women, who come to perform the traditional Shivalinga pooja and seek blessings from the god. At times there is so much rush in the temples that devotees have to wait for their turn to observe pooja. At their turn for worship, devotees circumambulate the Shivalinga, three or seven times, and then pour water over it. Some also pour milk. Sounds of bell and shouts of ‘Shankarji ki Jai’ or (Hail Shiva) reverberate in the temple premises.

Ritual Bath of Shivalinga
Following the rituals prescribed in the Shiva Purana, every three hours, Shivalingam is given a special bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, sandalwood paste and rose water. Puja, meditation and chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ accompany the ritual bath. Following the bath, vermilion paste is applied on the linga. Traditionally, leaves of a forest tree Aegle marmelos (bilwa, maredu, wood apple) are used for Shiva puja. Thereafter, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga. Ber or jujube fruit is a special offering to the god on this day. Beetle leaves are also offered by some. Some also offer bilwa leaves in the belief that the Goddess Lakshmi resides in them. Others believe it is offered for its cooling effects on the hot-tempered deity. Many devotees also decorate the linga with flowers and garlands and offer incense sticks and fruit.

Significance of Puja Items

According to the Shiva Purana, there is a special significance of the six essential puja items used in the Shiva worship.

Bathing of Shivalinga with water, milk and honey and wood apple or bel leaves added to it, represents purification of the soul.

The vermilion paste applied on the linga after the ritual bath represents virtue.
Offering of fruits symbolizes longevity and gratification of desires.

Burning of incense sticks yields wealth.

The lighting of the lamp symbolizes attainment of knowledge.

Offering of betel leaves marks satisfaction with worldly pleasures.


All-Night Shiva Worship
Worship of Lord Shiva continues all through the night on Shivaratri Festival. Devotees stay awake all night and spend the night in Shiva temples in worship of Lord Shiva. Singing of hymns and verses in praise and devotion of Lord Shiva besides the intense chanting of Om Namah Shivay, the mantra that is said free people from all their sins, continue through the night on Shivaratri.

Special worship of Shiva by priests continues through the nightlong prayer vigil. During this ritual worship, Lord Shiva is offered special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables and coconuts. Those observing the Shivaratri Fast break their fast the next morning by consuming the prasad offered to Shiva.

Shivaratri Pooja

Shivaratri Pooja has been given tremendous significance in Hindu mythology. It is said that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri day pleases Lord Shiva the most. Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the auspicious Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.

Merits of Shivaratri Puja

According to Shiva Purana, sincere worship of Lord Shiva yields merits including spiritual growth for the devotees. It also provides extensive details on the right way to perform Shivratri Puja.

Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of Shiva Linga with six different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord Shiva the most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in the abhisheka blesses a unique quality:

Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.
Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.
Honey is for sweet speech.
Ghee is for victory.
Sugar is for happiness.
Water is for purity.

Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also considered to be extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to Shiva for the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

Getting Ready for Shivratri Puja

To perform the worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. This is followed by worship to Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva in accordance with the purification rite observed on all-important Hindu festivals. Devotees then wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition, devotees observe a fast on a Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of water.

Performing Maha Shivaratri Pooja

Following the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, priests perform ritual puja of Shiva Linga every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. During this pooja, chants of Om Namah Shivaya and sounds of bells reverberate in the temple. Following the bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water that helps in the purification of the soul a vermilion paste is applied on the Linga as it represents virtue. These six items form an indispensable part of Shivaratri, be it a simple ceremony at home or grand temple worship

After this, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga to cool the hot-tempered deity. Ber or jujube fruit is also offered to Lord Shiva, as it is symbolic of longevity and gratification of desires. Some devotees also offer the auspicious betel leaves to Lord Shiva marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures. Garlanding of Linga with flowers and garlands is also a part of the ritual Shivaratri Puja. Devotees also burn incense sticks as is said to yield wealth. Many also light lamps to symbolize attainment of knowledge. It is said that by offering water, hugging the Linga, lighting the diya and incense and ringing the temple bells, devotees call into focus all their senses, making them acutely aware of themselves and the universe to which they belong.

This ritual worship of Lord Shiva continues through the day and night of Shivaratri. Devotees stay awake and spent the night in Shiva temples by chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and singing hymns and verses in praise of Lord Shankar. Devotees observing vrat on Shivaratri break it only the next morning by partaking prasad offered to Lord Shiva.

Shivaratri Celebrations

Shivaratri Celebrations in India are marked with devotion and religious fervor. Joy is writ large on the faces of millions of Lord Shiva devotees as they start preparing for the biggest Lord Shiva festival in advance. Celebrations of Shivaratri began with the break of the dawn on the Shivratri day and continue all though the night. Devotees observe fast and spend the day in devotion and worship of Lord Shiva. Many worshippers also participate in the jaagran or the night vigil organized in various Shiva temples across the country. Devotees believe that sincere observance of Shivaratri puja and all night worship of Lord Shiva will absolve them of all their sins and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death.

Shivaratri Celebrations in Temples

After the ritual bath, preferably in the sacred waters of river Ganga, devotees pay a visit to the nearest Lord Shiva temple carrying the traditional puja items like milk, water, bel leaves, fruits, incense stick, oil lamp etc. Due to massive popularity of the festival several stalls selling puja items come up outside the temple and do a thriving business.

In the bigger and more popular Shiva temples there is massive rush of devotees. Long queues can be noticed as devotees, mostly women, wait for their turn to perform puja. Since, bathing of Shiva Linga with milk is part of the Shivaratri Puja tradition; little rivers are formed due to the excessively overflowing milk and fruit in the Shiva temples on this day.

Ritual worship of Shiva Linga is done by temple priests every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. Shouts of ‘Shivaji ki Jai’, chanting of the mantra, ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and ringing of temple bells make the atmosphere religious and devotional.

Nightlong vigil on Shivratri or the Jaagran is celebrated by singing of devotional hymns and songs in worship of Lord Shiva. And, it is only in the following morning that the devotees break their fast by consuming prasad offered to the Lord.

Shivaratri Celebrations by Women

Shivratri Festival is particularly awaited by Hindu women. On Shivaratri, married and unmarried women perform puja with great faith, as Goddess Parvati who is also called 'Gaura', is regarded as the giver of 'suhag' - good husbands, marital bliss and a long and prosperous married life. One can therefore see find women enthusiastically observing the fast and performing the rituals Shiva Pujas on the day.

Tradition of Drinking Thandai

Since Lord Shiva is regarded as an ascetic god, Maha Shivratri is very popular with ascetics. Thandai, a drink made with bhang (cannabis), almonds, and milk, is essentially drunk by the devout on the day as cannabis is said to have been very dear to Shiva.

Regional Celebrations of Shivaratri

The auspicious festival of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with devotion and religious fervor all over India and even beyond. Though fasting and worship of Shiva Linga with a ritual bath remain the common feature of Shivaratri celebrations at all places, minor variations due to regional difference can be observed in some states.

Please read on to know more about regional celebrations of Shivratri. You will be surprised to know, about the various interesting traditions and customs of Shivratri Festival and the zeal with which devotee of Lord Shiva follow them.

Shivaratri Celebrations in Various States of India
» Andhra Pradesh
» Assam
» Himachal Pradesh
» Jammu and Kashmir
» Karnataka
» Madhya Pradesh
» Orissa
» West Bengal


Shivaratri Celebrations around the World
» Mauritius
» Nepal


Andhra Pradesh
Festival of Shivaratri is observed with extreme enthusiasm in the state of Andhra Pradesh. Devotees throng the various important Shiva temples in the state mainly Sri Kalahasteshwara Temple at Kalahasti and the Bharamarambha Malikarjunaswamy Temple at Srisailam. Devotees also observe fast and chant mantras in honor of Lord Shiva to mark the auspicious festival.

Assam
In the North-Eastern state of Assam, the hub of Shivratri celebrations is at the Umananda Temple, situated on the Peacock Island in the middle of Brahamaputra river in Guwahati, the capital of Assam. Thousands of Shiva devotees from all over the country pay a visit to the temple on the occasion of Shivaratri. Sibsagar, the capital of the erstwhile Ahom kings, is the other major centre of Mahashivaratri celebrations in Assam.

Himachal Pradesh
The Temple of Bhutnath at Mandi in Himachal Pradesh is said to host the biggest Shivaratri Puja in the country. Every year on Shivratri Festival, the Governor of the state leads a Shobha Yatra at a function inaugurated by the Chief Minister. The royal family of Mandi started the tradition some 500 years ago. An eight-day-long fair is also organized which witness the participation of artists from India and even beyond.



Jammu and Kashmir
Hindus of Kashmir observe Shivaratri with utmost zeal and devotion. Here, Shivratri is celebrated for three weeks or 21 days, beginning on the first day of the dark fortnight of Phalguna (locally known as hur ukdoh) and end on the 8th day of the bright half of Phalguna. Kashmiri Brahmins perform Shivaratri puja on the 13th day of the dark half of Phalguna Krishna Paksha to mark Lord Shiva's wedding with Uma, the beautiful daughter of the Himalayas. In keeping with their hospitable nature, Kashimiri Brahmins offer even non-vegetarian food in puja to entertain Bhairavas who are said to form the major part of Shiva's baaraat.

Shivratri puja in Jammu and Kashmir is performed in a very distinctive way. Two pots (called kalash), depicting Shiva and Parvati are filled with walnuts soaked in water. These walnuts are taken out only on the third day which usually falls on the no moon day or amavasya. On the third day this walnut which is wet is distributed to all friends and neighbours as prasad. On the chaturdashi (14th day after full moon) there is the real feasting when the families invite each other for dinners.

In Kashmir, Shivaratri is also called Hayrath, which is the corrupt form of ‘hairat’, a Persian word meaning 'utter surprise'. The term was coined during the Pathan occupation of the valley. Besides, Shivaratri puja is better known as Vatuk Puja in Kashimir where Vatuk means, collection or an assemblage of different objects. The name has been given because the main puja on Shivaratri day involves collection of a large number of articles. The name could also be traced to the term Vatuk Dev, Lord Shiva's celibate form. People in Kashmir also worship Vatuk Bhairav, said to be Shiva's most trusted dwarpal (gatekeeper). This is done in a bid to seek his favor for an audience with the Lord. On Hayrath day the children are given money as a gift called "herat kharch". Interestingly it is not only children who receive gifts, for even husbands give gifts to their wife and the elder brother gives to younger brother. On the next day there is also a tradition to play the game of "harr" which is played with the help of sea shells.

Karnataka
Festival of Maha Shivaratri is observed with pomp and enthusiasm in the southern state of Karnataka. A grand Sri Shidlingappa's fair is observed to mark the auspicious occasion. Deity is taken to the river in a palanquin accompanied by drummers (Dollu and Majalu) from several neighboring and is then worshipped. Linagayats, people of the Shiva cult, worship Linga on Shivaratri. Following a tradition, married women wear a linga made of silver or gold on their body. In southern Karnataka, children make believe that they are kings and dole out punishments to all and sundry. This particular tradition is based on the mythological legend related with Shivaratri that narrates the story of Shiva punishing Brahma for lying about measuring the length of Linga.

Madhya Pradesh
Shivaratri is celebrated with religious fervor in the state of Madhya Pradesh. As a tradition, people in Madhya Pradesh take a holy dip in Sagar tank in Khajuraho. The place houses a beautiful Shiva temple.

Bundelkhand Region, which has a stronghold of Shaivites hosts the biggest Shivaratri celebrations in the state. A large number of Lord Shiva devotees flock the Matangeshwar Temple and worship throughout the night. Highpoint of the Shivaratri celebrations at the Matangeshwar Temple is the 10-day-long fair that witness the participation of traders, peddlers and gypsies from other parts of the state. Display of traditional fare and a variety of handicrafts besides the rural circus show, magic shows, folk theatre, and merry-go-rounds add to the excitement.



Orissa
Festival of Maha Shivaratri is celebrated with devotion and enthusiasm in the state of Orissa. Major centres of Shivaratri celebrations in the state are Lingaraj Temple and Hakateswar Temple Atri. Shiva temples located at Mahendragiri, Gupteswar, Kapilas, Bhubaneswar and Khiching also draw a large of pilgrims from across the state.

Shivaratri celebration at Lokanath Temple, Puri is also quite popular. According to a legend popular in Orissa, long ago, Puri was a center of Shiva worship. The story goes, Lord Ramachandra himself installed the Lingam in the Lokanath Temple. This lingam is kept submerged, in a vat of water. It can only be seen on Pankodhar Ekadasi, before Shivaratri, when the water is removed from the vat. On that day, thousands of devotees come for a darshan.

West Bengal
In the state of West Bengal the festival of Maha Shivaratri is performed with great devotion and enthusiasm. On a Shivaratri day, devotees in West Bengal fast through out the day. Following the tradition, they also make four Shivlings made of clay of the holy river Ganga. These Shivlings are later offered in puja in four "prahars" (a meassure of time equal to 3 hours) of the night. In the first prahar one of the shivalings is bathed in milk. In the second period it is bathed with curd, in the third with ghee and in the fourth with honey. The devotees also stay awake the all - through the Shivaratri night. The following morning, they pray, listen to religious discourses, feed the Brahmins, offer them dakshina (alms) and finally break their fast with prasad.

At some places in West Bengal, Mahashivratri celebrations are confined to the Shiva temples. Women visit the temple carrying a copper vessel containing milk and water. They also carry with them leaves of woodapple tree, a wood apple, fruits and flowers and a lamp. As a tradition followed in many places, devotees bathe Shiva Linga with water mixed with milk. Puja is performed and fruits and flowers are offered. After Puja they return home to break their fast with fruits.

At the temple of Tarakeshwar, 57 km from Kolkata, bare-footed pilgrims carry containers filled with the sacred water of river Ganga to pour over the stone image of the Lord and decorate the granite Lingum with garlands and flowers, as a mark of their devotion.



Shivaratri Celebrations around the World
Shivaratri is celebrated by Hindus located anywhere in the world. However, celebrations are marked in countries where there is a significant Hindu population.

Mauritius
In Mauritius, Maha Shivaratri is celebrated in a big way for over three days. A large number of island's Hindu population makes a pilgrimage to the holy volcanic lake, Grand Bassin and make food sacrifices and stockpile vessels of the holy water.

Nepal
Shivaratri is a much-anticipated festival in the Hindu kingdom of Nepal. Thousands of pilgrims and holy men from all over Southeast Asia flock Nepal weeks before the festival to worship at the Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. This Lord Shiva temple is considered as one of the holiest shrines of the Hindus. To mark the festival of Mahashivaratri, devotees fast through out the day. They also take a holy bath or dip in the river on a Shivaratri morning and visit the temple to worship.

Shivaratri Fast

Shivaratri Fast is considered to be the most important fast for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Shiva Purana goes on to say that if a devotee observes Shivaratri Vrata with sincerity, pure devotion and love he is blessed with the divine grace of Lord Shiva. Every year devotees observe Maha Shivaratri fast with devotion and sincerity. Though many go on a diet of fruits and milk, some do not consume even a drop of water all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival.

Merits of Mahashivratri Vrat

According to Hindu mythology, observance of mahashivratri Vrat with discipline helps a devotee to control the two great natural forces that afflict a man, rajas guna (the quality of passionate activity) and tamas guna (the quality of inertia). When a devotee spends an entire day in the Feet of Lord and worships with sincerity, his motion is controlled and evils like lust, anger and jealousy, born of Rajas are ignored and subdued. Besides, when a devotee observes vigil throughout the night (jaagran) he manages to conquer the evils of Tamas Guna too. It has also been mentioned that when a devotee observes a round of worship every three hours, the Shivaratri Vrata becomes perfect.

Devotees of Lord Shiva believe consider Shivratri fast to be extremely auspicious and rate it equal or more than performing an Ashwamedha Yagna. Some believe that a devotee who observes a Shivaratri Fast with sincerity and utters the name of Lord Shiva with perfect devotion is absolved from all sins. Such a devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shiva and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death.

Customs and Traditions of Shivaratri Fast

As a tradition, devotees who are on a strict fast on Shivaratri take bath with the water that is boiled with black sesame seeds to wash away bodily impurities. After putting on fresh new clothes, a devotee visit the nearest Lord Shiva temple to perform the ritual Shiva Linga bath with milk, honey etc. While bathing the Lingam a devotee prays, "O Lord ! I will bathe Thee with water, milk, etc. Do Thou kindly bathe me with the milk of wisdom. Do Thou kindly wash me of all my sins, so that the fire of worldliness which is scorching me may be put out once for all, so that I may be one with Thee-the One alone without a second."

Following the sacred bath, devotee applies haldi-kumkum on the lingum and place a garland of white and pink lotus flowers on it. Bel leaves are also placed at the top of the Lingum. Aarthi and bhajans in praise of Lord Shiva are also sung to invoke his blessings. Devotee also light incense stick and ring temple bell to invoke the blessing of the large-hearted Lord Shiva.

It may be noted that unlike most other festivals, where after performing the Puja of the deity a feast follows, a Shivratri fast continues all through the day and night. Devotees observe an all night vigil while chanting the mantra, "Om Namah Shivaya" and singing devotional hymns and songs. Even during the night, Shiva Lings is given the holy bath every three hours. An offering of fruits is also made to the deity. There is also the tradition to listen to the recital of various legends and stories related to Shivaratri and Lord Shiva and to understand its deeper meanings. It is only in the following morning that a devotee breaks the fast by consuming the prasad offered to Lord Shankar.

Significance of Shivratri

Festival of Mahashivaratri is the most important festival for the millions of devotees of Lord Shiva. The festival has been accorded lot of significance in Hindu mythology. It says that a devotee who performs sincere worship of Lord Shiva on the auspicious day of Shivratri is absolved of sins and attains moksha.

Significance of Shivaratri in Hinduism

Festival of Mahashivaratri has tremendous significance in Hinduism. According to sacred scriptures, ritual worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri festival that falls on the 14th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Phalgun pleases Lord Shiva the most. This fact is said to have been declared by Lord Shiva himself, when his consort Parvati asked him as to which ritual performed by his devotees pleases him the most.

Even till date, devotees of Lord Shiva perform the ritual worship of Shivratri with care and devotion. They observe day and nigh fast and give sacred bath to Shiva Linga with honey, milk, water etc. Hindus consider it extremely auspicious to worship Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri as it is believed that worship of Lord Shiva with devotion and sincerity absolves a devotee of past sins. The devotee reaches the abode of Lord Shanker and lives there happily. He is also liberated from the cycle of birth and death and attains moksha or salvation.

Significance of Shivaratri for Women

Mahashivratri Festival is also considered to be an extremely significant festival by women. Married and unmarried women observe fast and perform Shiva Puja with sincerity to appease Goddess Parvati who is also regarded as ‘Gaura’ - one who bestows marital bliss and long and prosperous married life. Unmarried women also pray for a husband like Lord Shiva who is regarded as the ideal husband.