POOJA SAMAGRI LIST REQUIRED FOR PERFORMING POOJA ON MAHA SHIVARATRI

 MAHA SHIVARATRI  SAMAGRI SPECIAL

This year, Maha Shivarati falls on the 24th of February. Maha Shivaratri is an important festival for the devotees of Lord Shiva. Fasting and conduction of poojas at home or at temples is how most devotees celebrate the occasion. 

Another distinctive feature of Maha Shivaratri is that the fast of Maha Shivaratri lasts a whole day and can be broken only on the next day, unlike other fasts that we usually keep. The distribution of 'Bhaang' as prasad is also unique to Maha Shivaratri. Bhaang is a beverage made from the extract of the cannabis plant and is slightly intoxicating.

List Of Samagris Required The textbook form of observing the fast and pooja is not commonly followed when Maha Shivaratri is observed in households. Of course, Lord Shiva does not ask for strict following of the scriptures to be pleased. We must keep in mind that the origin of Shivaratri can be traced to a poor man offering only his tears and a few bilva leaves to the Shiva Linga. You only need to have a pure heart and heartfelt devotion to please Lord Bholenath.

Most religious festivals in India are celebrated with great pomp and show. But Maha Shivaratri is a day when the devotees keep a fast and meditate on the Lord's name.

But if you intend to perform the pooja as the scriptures dictate and are looking for a list of items you need, look no further. Read on to find the complete list of Samagris you'll need to perform the Maha Shivaratri pooja at your home.

The following items are essential for the pooja:

• Shiva Linga or an image of Lord Shiva 

• A mat - to sit upon (made from wool) 

• Lamps - As many as you wish. Must have at least one. 

• Cotton wicks 

• Holy bell 

• Kalash or a copper pot 

• Thali 

• White cloth to place the Shiva Linga or the image of Lord Shiva on

Pooja Vidhi The pooja is conducted at night. The Maha Shivaratri pooja is done one time or four times throughout the night. If you prefer to perform the pooja four times, the duration of the night can be divided into four prahars. You may perform a pooja during each of the four prahars. If you plan on doing the pooja just once, you may do it during the midnight time. If you are performing the pooja just once, then you must perform the abhishekha with milk, sandalwood paste, curd, ghee, honey, sugar, rose water and water.

If you are performing the pooja four times during the four prahars, perform abhishek of water during the first prahar. In the second prahar, use curd to do the abhishekha. During the third and fourth prahars, use ghee and honey, respectively. You may use the other materials for abhishekha during the gaps inbetween the four abhishekhas.

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.

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.

 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.

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