How to do Shivaratri Puja? Is there any simple method of Shivaratri puja procedure? Hindupad has got many queries regarding Shivaratri Puja procedure. Shivaratri is the biggest festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. MahaShivratri is observed on Chaturdashi in Magh month or Falgun month as per various traditional Hindu Calendars.

Shivaratri Vrata includes – Shivaratri Shiva puja, Shivaratri upavas or upavasam, and Shivratri Jagran or Jagaran. Lord Shiva is known as Bhola Shankar or Bhakta Sulabha which means the one who is very much dedicated to his devotees. Those who worship him with their mind and heart will be blessed with happiness and prosperity. Devotees worship Shivalinga form of Lord Shiva during Shivaratri.

Simple Shivaratri Puja Procedure:

1. First, before starting puja, chant Sankalpam for Shiva puja. In Sankalpam, the place, gothra, nama, tithi, vara, nakshatra, and some other details are chanted in mantra form. You can also just say your name and gothra if you not much aware of Sankalpa mantra.
2. Start puja with Ganesh Puja. Chant some simple mantras of Lord Ganesh and pray for destruction of obstacles during Shiva Puja.
3. The third step is Gauri Puja. Take approximately 5 gms of turmeric (haldi) powder and make it like a cone shaped structure and consider it as Goddess Gauri and chant simple prayer to Gauri or Parvati. (Some devotees skip Gauri Puja).
4. Nandishwara Puja, Veerabhadra Puja, Kartikeya Pooja, Kubera Pooja, Keerthimukha puja, and Sarpa Puja are optional.
5. Now, the main Shivapuja begins with Dhyanam. Imagine Lord Shiva and pray to him with akshata.
6. As the first step, Lord Shiva is offered Shuddodaka Snanam (bath with gangajal or sanctified water).
7. Panchamrita snan is performed as the next step. (bath with milk, ghee, curd, honey and coconut water).
8. Shuddodaka Snanam is performed again.
9. Jalabhishekam (pour water on linga drop by drop) is observed.
10. Yagnopaveetham is worn (a cotton garland is worn)(especially in South Indian puja procedure).
11. Offer Bhasma (vibhooti), Gandha (sandalwood paste), and Kumkum to Shivalinga. Sprinkle akshata on the Lord.
12. Flower garland is offered to the deity.
13. Bilva Puja is performed while chanting Bilvashtakam.
14. Dhoop or agarbatti or incense sticks are lit and dhoopam is given to Shivalinga.
15. Light a lamp or deepa.
16. Shiva Aarti is chanted.
17. Aatma Pradakshina (self circumambulation) is performed as the last step. This marks the end of simple Shivaratri Puja.

Here you can read Shivaratri Puja mantras or stotras – Shivratri Puja Prayers

Shivaratri Brahmotsavam has been started in Keesaragutta Ramalingeshwara Swamy Temple on February 9^th, 2010. Shivaratri 2010 date is February 12, 2010. As per the scriptures, the presiding deity Ramaligeshwara swamy idol was installed by Lord Sri Rama. Shivaratri special pujas will be celebrated for 6 days that will end on 15^th February, 2010.

Keesara Gutta Ramalingeshwara Swamy Temple Brahmotsavam has begun with Ganapati Puja, Punyahavachanam, Ruthwik varanam, and Yagashala pravesham. Akhanda Jyothi prathishtapana, Bheripuja, Dhwajarohanam, Dwathrimshathi ragalapana are also performed during the opening ceremony of Shivaratri special pujas. Shiva Kalyanam is the main ritual and vahana sevas are major events during Brahmotsavam.

According to Archeologists, this place was called as ‘Gatika’ in ancinet days, and it was a great educational institution in the third century. The Keesaratemple is on a hill, which is also called as Keesara Gutta (Gutta is a hill in Telugu). This Ramalingeshwara temple has a great history as it has been in existence since the time immemorial.

Shivaratri puja is one of the auspicious Hindu rituals to perform on Mahashivratri. There are some simple Shiva Mantras or stotras or prayers to chant during Shivaratri puja procedure. Bilvashtakam, Lingshtakam, Shiva Astakam, Shiva Panchakshari mantram, Shiva Chalisa, Shiva Aarti, Shiva Sahasranama stotram are some important stotras to chant during Shivratri pooja. Here are the links for lyrics or text of Shivaratri Mantras….

Bilvashtakam – Shiva stotram to chant during Bilva puja or Bilvapatra abhishekam

Lingashtakam – Octet to Linga form of Lord Shiva

Shiva Panchakshari Stotram

Shiva Chalisa – 40 verses dedicated to Lord Shiva

Shivashtakam – Octet to Lord Shiva

Read the detailed Shivaratri Puja Procedure – Step-wise Shivalinga pooja method

Srikalahasti Kalahasthishwara swamy Temple is a famous Shiva temple in Andhra Pradesh and also known as one of the Panchabhoota Sthala, thi five primordial temples of Lord Shiva. Shivaratri is celebrated with utmost gaiety in Kalahasti temple. During Shivaratri, Brahmotsavam is observed for 14 days. Every day Lord Kalahastishwara and his consort Gnana Prasunambika are taken out for a procession on various vahanas or vehicles.

Kalahasti Brahmotsavam begins with Kannappa Dhwajarohanam and Ankurarpana and ends with Ekantha seva. In 2010, Shivaratri Brahmotsavam dates are – February 7^th to February 19th. Nandi Seva, Lingodhbava Darshanam, Kalahasthiswara Gnana Prasunambika Kalyanam, and Kailasagiri Pradakshinam are the main rituals during Shivaratri Brahmotsavam in Kalahasti temple.

Here is the list of some important sevas, rituals and pujas during Shivaratri Brahmotsavam in Kalahasti Temple:

• 7^th February, 2010 – Kannappa Dhwajarohanam and Ankurarpana
• 12^th February, 2010 – Maha Shivaratri – Nandi Seva and Lingodhbava Darshanam
• 13^th February 2010 – Rathotsavam (chariot festival)
• 14^th February 2010 – Kalahasti Shiva and Gnana Prasunambika Kalyanam
• 16^th February 2010 – Kailasagiri Pradakshinam

Masa Shivaratri is the auspicious day to worship Lord Shiva. In February 2010, Masa Shivratri falls on Maha Shivaratri day which is the biggest festival dedicated to Lord Shiva. Masa Shivratri February 2010 or Maha Shivaratri 2010 date is February 12. Shivaratri 2010 corresponds to Falgun Krishna Chaudas in North Indian calendar, and Magha Shukla Chaturdashi in Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada and Telugu calendars.

Mahashivaratri 2010 is even more significant to worship the Lord as on this day Kumbha Sankranti or Kumbha Sankramana is celebrated. Special pujas are performed in Kashi Vishweshwara temple in Varanasi, Ujjain Mahakaleshwar Temple, Nashik Trayambakeshwar Temple, and many other Jyothirling temples in India.

During Mahashivaratri Brahmotsavam is organized in Srisailam Mallikarjuna Temple. Vemulawada Rajarajeshwara Swamy temple is also a best place to visit during Shivaratri festival. A three-day Jathara or fair is organized in Vemulawada during the festival.