Simple Puja and Timings
Mahashivratri is the day to honor and celebrate Lord Shiva—honor life and celebrate existence.
Things ideally to do:
Fast ( depending on the individual needs)
Visualise the supreme divine personality - Sadasiva, , (having 5 headsand 10 hands ). It is Sadasiva ( highest form of shiva) who is invoked for consecration of the Sivalingam. ( refer to image)
After visualising Sadasiva, mentally invite him and the divine motherAdiparasakti, to reside in the Sivalingam in front of you.
After performing this invitation, one must proceed with the main Mahashivratri puja. The night long Puja is divided into 4 Praharas( having 3 hours each )
After performing the specific prahara puja one must perform Panchopachara puja to Sivalingam.
Glossory = Panchopachara puja and Mantras
Format of the Prahara Puja
= Mantra x no. of repititions + materials to offer
Maha Shivaratri on Friday, March 08, 2024
Nishita Kaal Puja Time ( Most auspicious time) - March 8, 2024 11:33 PM to 12:21 AM, March 9, 2024
glossory
What is Panchopachara puja?
Offer chandan on the sivalingam
offer flowers and bilva leaves on the sivalingam
Burn some incense around the Sivalingam
Light a ghee lamp in front of the Sivalingam
Offer home made satvik food as naivedya to the Sivalingam.
Mantras
Shivamantra: Om Shree Samb Shivay Namah 108 Times | ॐ साम्ब शिवाय नम:|
Gurumantra : ओम श्री गुरुवे नमः || Om Shree Guruve Namah ||
or Shree Shivadi guruve namah
8 names of Rudra: Sharvaay namah
Bhavaay Namah
Rudraay Namah
Ugraay Namah
Bheemaayay Namah
Pashupataye Namah
Mahadevaay Namah
Eeshanaath Namah
If anything is confusing : we use Om Namo Shivay
