Maha Shivratri Puja in Varanasi

Maha Shivratri Puja samagri list

• Shivling (Narmadeshwar, Parad or as per custom)
• Gangajal
• Milk, curd, ghee and honey (for the four prahars)
• Sugar and panchamrit ingredients
• Bel patra in quantity
• Dhatura, aak and white flowers
• Ber (jujube) and seasonal fruits
• Chandan, bhasma and akshat
• Janeu and mauli
• Shringar items for Parvati
• Supari, paan leaves and cloves
• Ghee diyas, camphor and incense
• Bhang or thandai (only if part of family custom)
• Sweets and fasting-friendly bhog

The Pandit confirms the final list for your family's vidhi, and Pandit ji can arrange the samagri in Varanasi at an additional cost, agreed after discussion.

Maha Shivratri Puja vidhi, step by step

1. 1Sankalp and vrat. In the evening, the Pandit takes the sankalp for the puja and the fast with names, gotra and intention.
2. 2Ganesh puja and Shiva invocation. Lord Ganesha is worshipped, the Shivling is established, and Shiva and Parvati are invoked.
3. 3First prahar abhishek. The Shivling is bathed with milk (as per common custom) with mantras, bel patra and flowers.
4. 4Second prahar abhishek. Abhishek with curd, with Rudri or Om Namah Shivaya chanting and offerings.
5. 5Third prahar and Nishita Kaal. Abhishek with ghee around midnight, often the most elaborate part with full Rudri recitation.
6. 6Fourth prahar abhishek. Abhishek with honey before dawn, followed by shringar of the Shivling.
7. 7Jagran, stotras and aarti. Throughout the night, stotras such as Shiv Mahimna and Shiv Tandav, bhajans and katha are recited, with aarti at the close of each prahar.
8. 8Parana. The next morning, after a concluding puja, the fast is broken as per the Panchang timing.