Shiva Puja And Arti
Shiva Puja, also known as Shiva Abhishekam, is a ritualistic worship of Lord Shiva.
You can perform Shiva Puja at any time, but there are certain days and occasions when it is especially auspicious to perform the puja. For example, Mondays are the most auspicious day for worshipping Lord Shiva, and many devotees perform Shiva Puja on this day.
Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival in dedication to Lord Shiva. People celebrate this festival annually in late February or early March. It is one of the most auspicious days for worshipping Lord Shiva, and many devotees perform elaborate Shiva Puja rituals on this day.
Shravan, which usually falls between July and August, is a sacred month for Hindus, and many devotees perform Shiva Puja during this time. Also, Pradosh Vrat is a fasting and worship ritual performed on the 13th day of the waxing and waning moon cycles. Therefore, it is a highly auspicious time for performing Shiva Puja.
The Steps for Shiva Puja
Sankalpam: The puja begins with a Sankalpam, or a solemn declaration of intention, where the devotee declares their purpose for performing the puja.
ममोपात्त समस्त दुरितक्षयद्वारा श्री परमेश्वर प्रीत्यर्थं शिवाभिषेकं करिष्ये।
Avahanam: The next step involves inviting Lord Shiva to be present and bless the puja.
आवाहयामि शिवमिदं हविषाऽऽर्द्रया।
Padya, Arghya, Achamaniyam: The next step involves offering water to Lord Shiva to wash his feet, hands, and mouth, respectively.
पद्यं समर्पयामि। अर्घ्यं समर्पयामि। आचमनीयं समर्पयामि।
Snanam: After the water offerings, the next step is to bathe the Shiva Linga with water and other items such as milk, honey, curd, and ghee.
स्नानं समर्पयामि।
Vastra: After the bath, the Shiva Linga is adorned with new clothes.
वस्त्रं समर्पयामि।
Chandanam: Sandalwood paste is applied to the Shiva Linga as a symbol of purification.
चन्दनं समर्पयामि।
Pushpam: Flowers are offered to the Shiva Linga to symbolize devotion and love.
पुष्पं समर्पयामि।
Dhupam: Incense is offered to the Shiva Linga, which is believed to purify the environment and create a conducive atmosphere for worship.
धूपं समर्पयामि।
Deepam: A lamp is lit and offered to Lord Shiva, which is believed to dispel darkness and ignorance.
दीपं समर्पयामि।
Naivedyam: A food offering is made to Lord Shiva, later distributed as prasad to the devotees.
नैवेद्यं समर्पयामि।
Aarti: The puja concludes with the recitation of Aarti, which involves offering light to Lord Shiva and singing praises in his honor.
आरती समर्पयामि।
The Arti
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा आरती
जय शिव ओंकारा, ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा ।
ब्रह्मा, विष्णु, सदाशिव, अर्द्धांगी धारा ॥
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा
एकानन चतुरानन पंचानन राजे ।
हंसासन गरूड़ासन वृषवाहन साजे ॥
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा
दो भुज चार चतुर्भुज दसभुज अति सोहे ।
त्रिगुण रूप निरखते त्रिभुवन जन मोहे ॥
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा
अक्षमाला वनमाला मुण्डमाला धारी ।
त्रिपुरारी कंसारी कर माला धारी ॥
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा
सुखकारी दुखहारी जगपालन कारी ॥
कर के मध्य कमंडलु चक्र त्रिशूलधारी ।
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा
सनकादिक गरुणादिक भूतादिक संगे ॥
श्वेतांबर पीतांबर बाघंबर अंगे ।
ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव जानत अविवेका ।
प्रणवाक्षर में शोभित ये तीनों एका ॥
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा
लक्ष्मी व सावित्री पार्वती संगा ।
पार्वती अर्द्धांगी, शिवलहरी गंगा ॥
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा
त्रिगुणस्वामी जी की आरती जो कोइ नर गावे ।
कहत शिवानंद स्वामी सुख संपति पावे ॥
ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा।
Shiva Puja is a beautiful and elaborate ritual that involves multiple offerings and prayers to Lord Shiva. Though the rituals and offerings are an important part of Shiva Puja, an essential aspect of the puja is the devotion and love that one feels towards Lord Shiva. The puja is an opportunity to connect with the divine and to seek blessings for oneself, and one’s loved ones.