Maha Shivaratri Puja

1. Pavitrikaranam

Om Apavitrah Pavitro Va Sarvavastham Gato'pi Va | Yah Smaret Pundarikaksham Sa Bahyabhyantarah Shuchih ||

Om Pundarikakshah Punatu | Om Pundarikakshah Punatu | Om Pundarikakshah Punatu ||

Pure or impure, in whatever state — whoever remembers the lotus-eyed Lord becomes pure within and without. May the lotus-eyed Lord purify us.

Take water in the left hand and, with the fingers of the right hand, sprinkle it over yourself, the seat and the puja items.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, Ganga water

2. Achamanam

Om Keshavaya Namah | Om Narayanaya Namah | Om Madhavaya Namah ||

Om Hrishikeshaya Namah | Hastam Prakshalayami ||

Sipping water thrice with salutations to Keshava, Narayana and Madhava for inner purity; hands are washed with Hrishikesha's name.

Take a little water in the right palm (gokarna mudra) and sip it three times, once with each name; then say 'Hrishikeshaya Namah' and wash your hands.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

3. Asana Shuddhi

Om Prithvi Tvaya Dhrita Loka Devi Tvam Vishnuna Dhrita | Tvam Cha Dharaya Mam Devi Pavitram Kuru Chasanam ||

Om Asanadevatayai Namah ||

O Mother Earth, you uphold the worlds and are upheld by Vishnu; uphold me too and sanctify my seat.

Sprinkle a little water on the ground under the seat and recite the mantra while touching the seat.

Samagri: Seat (kusha grass or wool), water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

4. Deepa Prajvalanam

Shubham Karoti Kalyanamarogyam Dhanasampada | Shatrubuddhivinashaya Dipajyotirnamo'stu Te ||

Om Dipajyotishe Namah ||

Salutations to the lamp's flame, which brings auspiciousness, well-being, health and wealth, and destroys hostile thoughts.

Light the ghee lamp and place it to the deity's right (your left); an oil lamp goes to the deity's left. Bow to the lamp.

Samagri: Ghee lamp with cotton wick, matchbox

5. Svasti Vachanam

Om Svasti Na Indro Vriddhashravah Svasti Nah Pusha Vishvavedah | Svasti Nastarkshyo Arishtanemih Svasti No Brihaspatirdadhatu || Om Shantih Shantih Shantih ||

May glorious Indra, all-knowing Pusha, Garuda and Brihaspati grant us well-being. Peace, peace, peace.

Join your hands and recite the auspicious invocation (mangala path).

6. Sankalpa

Om Vishnurvishnurvishnuh | Shrimadbhagavato Mahapurushasya Vishnoragyaya Pravartamanasya Adya Shribrahmano Dvitiyaparardhe Shrishvetavarahakalpe Vaivasvatamanvantare Ashtavimshatitame Kaliyuge Kaliprathamacharane Jambudvipe Bharatakhande Bharatavarshe Aryavartaikadeshe (city/village) nagare (samvatsara) namasamvatsare (ayana) (ritu) (month) mase (paksha) pakshe (tithi) tithau (weekday) vasare (gotra) gotrotpannah/utpanna (your name) Namaham Shrisambasadashivaprityartham Mahashivaratrivratapujanam Karishye ||

Say the words in ( ) — the Panchang and your gotra — yourself; ▶ Listen to sankalp asks you for them. Your name and city come from your profile.

I (name, gotra), at this time and place, resolve to perform this puja for the stated purpose.

Take water, akshat, flowers and dakshina in the right hand and read the sankalp (the app fills in your town, tithi, name and gotra); at the end, release the water onto the ground or into a copper plate.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers, dakshina (coin/money)

7. Ganesha Smaranam

Vakratunda Mahakaya Suryakoti Samaprabha | Nirvighnam Kuru Me Deva Sarvakaryeshu Sarvada ||

Om Gam Ganapataye Namah | Gandhakshatapushpani Samarpayami ||

O curved-trunked, mighty Lord, radiant as a million suns — make all my undertakings free of obstacles, always.

Before any puja, meditate on Ganesha, the remover of obstacles, and offer akshat and flowers. (In Ganesha Puja this step is part of the main worship.)

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers, roli/kumkum

8. Kalasha Pujanam

Kalashasya Mukhe Vishnuh Kanthe Rudrah Samashritah | Mule Tatra Sthito Brahma Madhye Matriganah Smritah ||

Om Varunaya Namah | Kalasham Pujayami ||

Vishnu dwells at the kalash's mouth, Rudra at its neck, Brahma at its base and the Mother-goddesses in its middle — I worship this all-divine vessel.

Offer roli, akshat and flowers on the water-filled kalash (with mango leaves and coconut). For the full kalash sthapana see Sheet 11.

Samagri: Kalash (copper/brass/clay), 5 mango leaves, coconut with husk, mauli/kalava thread, Ganga water

9. Navagraha Smaranam

Brahma Muraristripurantakari Bhanuh Shashi Bhumisuto Budhashcha | Gurushcha Shukrah Shanirahuketavah Sarve Grahah Shantikara Bhavantu ||

Om Navagrahebhyo Namah | Gandhakshatapushpani Samarpayami ||

May Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva and all nine planets — Sun to Ketu — be bringers of peace.

Join your hands, remember the nine planets (Navagraha) and offer akshat.

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers

10. Dhyanam

Dhyayennityam Mahesham Rajatagirinibham Charuchandravatamsam Ratnakalpojjvalangam Parashumrigavarabhitihastam Prasannam | Padmasinam Samantat Stutamamaraganairvyaghrakrittim Vasanam Vishvadyam Vishvabijam Nikhilabhayaharam Panchavaktram Trinetram ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Dhyayami ||

Meditation on the form of the deity.

Join your hands, close your eyes and recite the dhyana shloka while picturing the deity's form in your mind.

11. Avahanam

Agachchha Bhagavandeva Sthane Chatra Sthiro Bhava | Yavatpujam Karishyami Tavattvam Sannidhau Bhava ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Avahayami Sthapayami ||

Invitation to the deity to be present for the worship.

With the avahana mudra (palms joined, thumbs folded in), invite the deity to the place of worship; release akshat.

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice)

12. Asanam

Ramyam Sushobhanam Divyam Sarvasaukhyakaram Shubham | Asanam Cha Maya Dattam Grihana Parameshvara ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Asanarthe Pushpani Samarpayami ||

This beautiful, divine, auspicious seat that brings every comfort I offer — please accept it.

Take five flowers or grains of akshat in joined palms and offer them as the deity's seat.

Samagri: Fresh flowers

13. Svagatam

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Susvagatam ||

I welcome the deity with folded hands.

After offering the seat, join your hands and welcome the deity with reverence.

14. Padyam

Gangodakam Nirmalam Cha Sarvasaugandhasamyutam | Padaprakshalanarthaya Dattam Te Pratigrihyatam ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Padayoh Padyam Samarpayami ||

This clean, fragrant warm water is offered to wash your feet — please accept it.

With the achamani spoon, offer a little water at the deity's feet (or into a vessel placed towards the feet).

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

15. Arghyam

Arghyam Grihana Devesha Gandhapushpakshataih Saha | Karunam Kuru Me Deva Grihanarghyam Namo'stu Te ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Hastayoh Arghyam Samarpayami ||

O Lord of gods, accept this arghya with scent, flowers and rice; be compassionate to me. Salutations.

Mix sandalwood paste, akshat and flowers into water and offer arghya towards the deity's hands.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, sandalwood, akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers

16. Achamaniyam

Karpuravasitam Toyam Mandakinyah Samahritam | Achamyatam Jagannatha Maya Dattam Hi Bhaktitah ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Achamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami ||

Camphor-scented water brought from the Ganga, offered with devotion — O Lord of the world, please sip.

With the achamani spoon, offer a little pure water to the deity for sipping (achamana).

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

17. Snanam

Mandakinyastu Yadvari Sarvapapaharam Shubham | Tadidam Kalpitam Deva Snanartham Pratigrihyatam ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Snanam Samarpayami ||

The auspicious, sin-removing water of the Mandakini is presented for your bath — please accept.

Bathe the murti with pure water. For a picture, sprinkle water on it with a flower.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, Ganga water

18. Panchamrita Abhisheka

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Payahsnanam Samarpayami || Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Dadhisnanam Samarpayami || Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Ghritasnanam Samarpayami || Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Madhusnanam Samarpayami || Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Sharkarasnanam Samarpayami ||

I offer baths of milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar in turn.

From a copper lota, offer milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar on the Shivalinga in turn — after each, pour a stream of pure water; keep saying 'Om Namah Shivaya' throughout.

Samagri: Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar), water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, Shivalinga/Shiva murti with jalahari

19. Gandha Snanam

Malayachalasambhutam Chandanagarusambhavam | Chandanam Devadevesha Snanartham Pratigrihyatam ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Gandhodakasnanam Samarpayami ||

Accept for your bath this water scented with sandal and agaru from the Malaya mountains.

Mix sandalwood into water and bathe the deity with the fragrant water.

Samagri: Sandalwood, water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

20. Shuddhodaka Snanam

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Shuddhodakasnanam Samarpayami ||

I offer a bath of pure water.

After the panchamrit, bathe again with pure water and wipe with a clean cloth.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon, Ganga water

21. Vastram

Shitavatoshnasantranam Lajjaya Rakshanam Param | Dehalankaranam Vastramatah Shantim Prayachchha Me ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Vastram Samarpayami ||

Cloth that shields from cold, wind and heat, protects modesty and adorns the body is offered — grant me peace.

Offer clothing to the deity (a red chunari to the Devi). If there is no cloth, offer mauli/kalava thread in its place.

Samagri: Cloth, or mauli thread in its place

22. Madhuparka

Kamsye Kamsyena Pihito Dadhimadhvajyasamyutah | Madhuparko Mayanitah Pujartham Pratigrihyatam ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Madhuparkam Samarpayami ||

Madhuparka of curd, honey and ghee, in a covered bronze vessel, is brought for worship — please accept.

Mix curd, honey and ghee in a bowl and offer it as madhuparka.

Samagri: Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar)

23. Abhushanam

Ratnakankanavaiduryamuktaharadikani Cha | Suprasannena Manasa Dattani Svikurushva Bhoh ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Abhushanani Samarpayami ||

Jewelled bangles, cat's-eye and pearl necklaces I offer with a glad heart — please accept.

Offer ornaments to the deity (or akshat in their place).

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice)

24. Yajnopavitam

Navabhistantubhiryuktam Trigunam Devatamayam | Upavitam Maya Dattam Grihana Parameshvara ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Yagyopavitam Samarpayami ||

This sacred thread of nine strands, threefold and divine, I offer — O Supreme Lord, accept it.

Offer the sacred thread (janeu) to the deity (male deities only).

Samagri: Sacred thread (yajnopavita / janeu)

25. Gandha

Shrikhandam Chandanam Divyam Gandhadhyam Sumanoharam | Vilepanam Surashreshtha Chandanam Pratigrihyatam ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Gandham Samarpayami ||

Divine, fragrant, delightful sandal paste for anointing — O best of gods, accept it.

With the ring finger, apply a tilak of sandalwood/roli to the deity.

Samagri: Sandalwood, roli/kumkum

26. Akshatah

Akshatashcha Surashreshtha Kunkumaktah Sushobhitah | Maya Nivedita Bhaktya Grihana Parameshvara ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Akshatan Samarpayami ||

These kumkum-graced unbroken grains I offer with devotion — please accept.

Offer akshat (unbroken rice) mixed with kumkum.

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice), roli/kumkum

27. Pushpani

Malyadini Sugandhini Malatyadini Vai Prabho | Mayanitani Pushpani Grihana Parameshvara ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Pushpani Pushpamalam Cha Samarpayami ||

Fragrant garlands and flowers such as malati I have brought — O Lord, accept them.

Offer fresh flowers and a garland to the deity (for the deity's favourite flowers see Sheet 13).

Samagri: Fresh flowers, flower garland

28. Vishesha Dravya Arpanam

Tridalam Trigunakaram Trinetram Cha Triyayudham | Trijanmapapasamharam Bilvapatram Shivarpanam ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Bilvapatrani Samarpayami ||

Offering of the deity's favourite leaf/item.

Offer unbroken three-leaf bilva leaves with the smooth side towards the Shivalinga; with them, dhatura and aak flowers.

Samagri: Bilva leaves (three-leaf), dhatura and bhang

29. Anga Puja

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Padau Pujayami | Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Januni Pujayami | Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Katim Pujayami | Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Nabhim Pujayami | Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Hridayam Pujayami | Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Kantham Pujayami | Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Mukham Pujayami | Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Netre Pujayami | Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Shirah Pujayami | Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Sarvangam Pujayami ||

Worship of the deity's feet, knees, waist, navel, heart, throat, face, eyes, head and whole form, one by one.

With each line, offer akshat/flowers on that part of the deity's form (simplified form — with the name mantra).

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice), fresh flowers

30. Dhupa

Vanaspatirasodbhuto Gandhadhyo Gandha Uttamah | Aghreyah Sarvadevanam Dhupo'yam Pratigrihyatam ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Dhupam Aghrapayami ||

This incense of fine fragrance, made from plant resins and fit for all the gods, please accept.

Light dhoop/incense and, ringing the bell with the left hand, wave the incense before the deity with the right hand.

Samagri: Dhoop/incense sticks, bell, matchbox

31. Deepa

Sajyam Cha Vartisamyuktam Vahnina Yojitam Maya | Dipam Grihana Devesha Trailokyatimirapaham ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Dipam Darshayami | Hastaprakshalanam ||

A lamp of ghee and wick, lit with fire, that dispels the darkness of the three worlds — please accept.

Show the ghee lamp to the deity, then wash your hands.

Samagri: Ghee lamp with cotton wick

32. Naivedyam

Sharkarakhandakhadyani Dadhikshiraghritani Cha | Aharam Bhakshyabhojyam Cha Naivedyam Pratigrihyatam || Om Pranaya Svaha | Om Apanaya Svaha | Om Vyanaya Svaha | Om Udanaya Svaha | Om Samanaya Svaha ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Naivedyam Nivedayami ||

Accept this food offering of sugar, sweets, curd, milk, ghee and dishes. It is offered to the five vital breaths.

Place the plate of bhog before the deity and circle it with water (for Vishnu, Krishna and Rama, place a tulsi leaf on it), then recite the pancha-pranahuti mantra.

Samagri: Naivedya (sweets/bhog), water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

33. Uttarapashana Achamaniyam

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Naivedyante Achamaniyam Jalam Samarpayami ||

Water is offered for sipping after the meal.

After the naivedya, offer water for achamana.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

34. Rituphalam

Idam Phalam Maya Deva Sthapitam Puratastava | Tena Me Saphalavaptirbhavejjanmani Janmani ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Rituphalam Samarpayami ||

O Lord, I place this fruit before you; through it may I attain fulfilment in every life.

Offer seasonal fruits before the deity.

Samagri: Seasonal fruits

35. Tambulam

Pugiphalam Mahaddivyam Nagavallidalairyutam | Elachurnadisamyuktam Tambulam Pratigrihyatam ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Mukhavasarthe Tambulam Samarpayami ||

Accept this tambula — betel leaves with sacred areca nut and cardamom — to freshen the mouth.

Place betel nut, clove and cardamom on a betel leaf and offer it.

Samagri: Betel leaves, betel nut, cloves and cardamom

36. Dakshina

Hiranyagarbhagarbhastham Hemabijam Vibhavasoh | Anantapunyaphaladamatah Shantim Prayachchha Me ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Dakshinam Samarpayami ||

This offering of gold — seed of fire, born of the cosmic golden womb, giver of endless merit — grant me peace.

Place a coin/money before the deity as dakshina.

Samagri: Dakshina (coin/money)

37. Mantra Japa

Om Namah Shivaya

Repetition of the deity's root mantra.

Chant the deity's mool mantra on a japa mala — Short mode 11, Medium 21, Full 108 times.

Samagri: Japa mala (108 beads)

38. Four-Prahara Abhisheka

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Prathamaprahare Dugdhabhishekam Samarpayami || Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Dvitiyaprahare Dadhyabhishekam Samarpayami || Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Tritiyaprahare Ghritabhishekam Samarpayami || Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Chaturthaprahare Madhvabhishekam Samarpayami ||

In the four watches of the night I offer abhisheka of milk, curd, ghee and honey in turn.

Do abhisheka of the Shivalinga in each of the four watches of the night — first watch milk, second curd, third ghee, fourth honey (common order); in every watch offer bilva leaves and chant 'Om Namah Shivaya'.

Samagri: Panchamrit (milk, curd, ghee, honey, sugar), bilva leaves (three-leaf), Shivalinga/Shiva murti with jalahari

39. Mahamrityunjaya Japa

Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam | Urvarukamiva Bandhananmrityormukshiya Ma'mritat ||

We worship the three-eyed one (Shiva), fragrant, who increases nourishment; as a ripe cucumber is freed easily from its vine, may we be freed from the bondage of death — not from immortality.

Chant the Mahamrityunjaya mantra 108 times on a rudraksha mala.

Samagri: Rudraksha mala (for japa)

40. Katha / Path

Listening to the katha or reciting the stotra completes the fruit of the puja.

Read or listen to the katha: Mahashivratri Katha (the hunter Chitrabhanu) — summary in Sheet 19.

Samagri: Sacred book

41. Night Vigil

The night vigil brings the full fruit of the Shivratri vrat.

Stay awake all night singing Shiva bhajans and reading the Rudrashtakam, Shiv Chalisa and the Shiva Purana katha.

Samagri: Sacred book

42. Aarti / Nirajanam

Kadaligarbhasambhutam Karpuram Tu Pradipitam | Arartikyamaham Kurve Pashya Me Varado Bhava ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Arartikyam Samarpayami ||

With lighted camphor I perform the aarti — look upon me and be the giver of boons.

Wave the aarti plate of camphor or ghee 4 times at the deity's feet, 2 times at the navel, once at the face and 7 times over the whole form; sing the aarti while ringing the bell.

Samagri: Aarti plate, camphor, bell

43. Mantra Pushpanjali

Nanasugandhapushpani Yathakalodbhavani Cha | Pushpanjalirmaya Datto Grihana Parameshvara ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Mantrapushpanjalim Samarpayami ||

This handful of many fragrant seasonal flowers I offer — O Supreme, accept it.

Standing, take flowers in joined palms and offer them at the deity's feet.

Samagri: Fresh flowers

44. Pradakshina

Yani Kani Cha Papani Janmantarakritani Cha | Tani Sarvani Nashyantu Pradakshinapade Pade ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Pradakshinam Samarpayami ||

Whatever sins were committed in past lives, may they be destroyed with every step of this circumambulation.

Turn clockwise in your place (or walk around the murti) in pradakshina — count: half-circle — do not cross the jalahari outlet (somasutra) (scripture: 'shivasyardha-pradakshina').

45. Sashtanga Pranama

Namah Sarvahitarthaya Jagadadharahetave | Sashtango'yam Pranamaste Prayatnena Maya Kritah ||

Om Shrisambasadashivaya Namah | Namaskaran Samarpayami ||

Salutations to you who are for the welfare of all and the support of the world — this full prostration I make with effort.

Bow in full prostration (sashtanga), or bow your head with joined hands.

46. Kshama Prarthana

Avahanam Na Janami Na Janami Visarjanam | Pujam Chaiva Na Janami Kshamasva Parameshvara || Mantrahinam Kriyahinam Bhaktihinam Sureshvara | Yatpujitam Maya Deva Paripurnam Tadastu Me ||

Anena Pujanena Shrisambasadashivah Priyatam, Na Mama ||

I know not how to invoke, bid farewell, or worship properly — forgive me. Though lacking in mantra, rite and devotion, may my worship be complete. May the deity be pleased; the fruit is theirs, not mine.

With joined hands ask forgiveness for any mistakes in the puja; finally, releasing water, offer the fruit of the puja to the deity.

Samagri: Water vessel (lota) and achamani spoon

47. Prasada

Receiving the sanctified offering.

Take the charanamrit/prasad yourself and share it with the family.

Samagri: Naivedya (sweets/bhog)

48. Visarjanam

Yantu Devaganah Sarve Pujamadaya Mamakim | Ishtakamasamriddhyartham Punaragamanaya Cha ||

May all the gods accept my worship and depart — to fulfil my wishes and to return again.

Releasing akshat, respectfully bid farewell to the invoked deities. (An installed murti is not immersed — only the invoked presence is sent off.)

Samagri: Akshat (unbroken rice)