The ritual bathing of the Shivling with milk, water, honey and other offerings while Pandits chant the Rudri (Sri Rudram), one of the most loved Shiva pujas.
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Varanasi · Kashi · Banaras
Shiv Puja in Varanasi
Varanasi is often called the city of Shiva, and a simple Shiv puja at home is part of daily life for many families here. The Pandit performs panchopchar or shodashopchar puja with jal, bel patra, flowers, dhatura and bhasm, followed by aarti.
Visitors staying for a few days also ask for a Shiv puja at their hotel or guest house, especially on Mondays or before leaving the city.
ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्।
उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान्मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥
Oṁ tryambakaṁ yajāmahe sugandhiṁ puṣṭivardhanam, urvārukam iva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā'mṛtāt.
Why Varanasi
Why families choose Varanasi for Shiv Puja
Kashi Vishwanath, one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is at the heart of the city, and countless small Shiva shrines line the ghats and lanes. Families feel that worshipping Shiva here, even in a simple form, carries special meaning.
Ganga jal is close at hand, and many devotees bring it from the river in the morning for the abhishek during their home puja.
Local traditions & timing
- Sawan Mondays are extremely busy in the old city, with heavy crowds near the Vishwanath temple.
- Many visitors combine a home puja with darshan; the temple visit is separate from the Pandit's puja.
- PujaKarma is not affiliated with Kashi Vishwanath or any other temple.
Where it's performed
- Your home in Varanasi
- Your hotel or guest house room or terrace
- An online sankalp for family members joining from elsewhere
Planning tips
- Mondays, Pradosh and Sawan are popular; book ahead for those days.
- Keep Ganga jal, bel patra, white flowers and a small Shivling ready, or ask the Pandit to bring them.
- If you are in the old city, allow extra time for the Pandit to reach you through the lanes.
About Shiv Puja
A devotional puja of Lord Shiva with jal abhishek, bel patra and Panchakshari mantra, simple, meaningful and suited to Mondays, Sawan and Pradosh.
Duration
1 to 1.5 hours
Pricing
On enquiry
Online option
Available
Shiv Puja in Varanasi: FAQs
How is Shiv puja different from Rudrabhishek?
Shiv puja is a simpler worship with offerings and aarti. Rudrabhishek adds a continuous abhishek with Rudri path chanting and takes longer.
Can I do a Shiv puja at my hotel before visiting the temple?
Yes, if your hotel allows a small puja with a diya. Many visitors do the puja in the morning and go for darshan afterwards.
More in Varanasi
Other rituals families book in Varanasi
Shiva PujasIn-person availableOnline availableMaha Rudrabhishek
Several days (commonly 5 to 11 days, depending on the number of Pandits)
The grandest form of Rudra worship, traditionally 1331 recitations of the Rudram by a large group of Pandits, with abhishek and havan over several days.
Details
Shiva PujasIn-person availableOnline availableLaghu Rudra
6 to 8 hours with 11 Pandits (longer if fewer Pandits)
An elaborate Rudra anushthan, traditionally 121 recitations of the Rudram by 11 Pandits with abhishek, often concluding with a Rudra havan.
Details
Shiva PujasIn-person availableOnline availableMahamrityunjaya Jaap
1 to 11 days, depending on the chant count and number of Pandits
A sankalp-based chanting of the Mahamrityunjaya mantra by Pandits, commonly in counts like 11,000, 51,000 or 1.25 lakh, traditionally sought for strength and wellbeing.
Details
शुभं भवतु
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Book Shiv Puja in Varanasi
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