We all love Indian festivals, especially the one that comes with fasting. Because it is during fasting only we get to eat so many different kinds of delicacies. So it is natural that we can’t wait for one of our favorite festival of the year Shivaratri. Shivaratri this year is falling on 13th February, 2018.
Shivaratri is a very popular Hindu festival and is celebrated as the occasion of Lord Shiva’s birthday. On this day, devotees lines up at Shiva temple to perform ‘Puja’ and ritual on Shiva ‘Linga’. A lot of things are offered to a shivling on this day including bhaang, dhatura, milk, sandal, and ash. It is only on the day of Shivaratri, Sindoor is offered to lord Shiva. However, it is only on Shivaratri, you must not offer these things to Lord Shiva.
* Tulsi is believed to be a carnation of Goddess Lakshmi and hence can be offered only to Lord Vishnu. Tulsi is never offered to Shivling. Not on Shivaratri, not on any other day!
* Bael leaves are Lord Shiva’s favorite and are offered to Shiva on every holy occasion. However, while offering Bael leaves, one must make sure that the leaves are not cut, torn, or eaten by insects
* It is believed that when milk or curd are kept in a bronze pot, it turns into wine. Therefore, milk kept in bronze pot should never be offered to lord Shiva. Always use copper pot to offer milk or curd to Shivlinga
* Although Shiva is fond of white flowers, it is said that the flowers Kewda and Champa are cursed by Lord Shiva and should never be offered to him during puja.
* When offering coconut to Shivling, make sure that you don’t offer coconut water to Shivling. This might sound strange to some, but it is indeed not recommended to offer coconut water to Lord Shiva, especially on Shivaratri.