Shivaratri Pooja has been given wonderful significance in Hindu mythology. It is said that ritual worship of Lord Shiva on a Shivaratri day pleases Lord Shiva the mostly. Devotees further believe that by pleasing Lord Shankara on the promising Shivaratri day, a person is absolved of past sins and is blessed with Moksha or salvation.
Lord Shiva is the representation of primitive energy from which everything was born and to which everything in the universe will disintegrate into. This is the night where Lord Shiva is said to have revealed the dance (Tandava) of primitive conception, preservation and destruction. Maha Shivaratri occurs once in a year and it is the special night for empowering your goals and purifying your thoughts.
How to do Mahashivaratri Puja
Shiva Linga should be given pompous bath and puja should conduct every three hours on Mahashivratri. Abhisheks are done using milk, ghee, honey, yogurt, sandalwood paste and rose water. Each item is poured over the Shiva Linga, to symbolize various meanings. Milk stands for piousness, while yogurt represents prosperity.
Abhishek is done with honey to grow a sweet speech, while ghee is used to represent victory. It is said that sugar symbolizes happiness and water is the figure of purity.The main puja items are needed for Shiva Puja on Mahashivratri include vermilion, haldi (turmeric powder), Aguru (holy perfume), Vibhuti/Bhasm (sacred ash made using dried cow dung), Rudraaksha Mala (prayer beads made of the dark berries of Elaeocarpus ganitrus, to chant Om Namah Shivaya), Akshata (uncooked rice) and a stalk of Bilwa (Bael) leaves. Incense sticks, and fresh flowers are other requisites for the pooja. Earthen lamp and lota (container filled with holy water) is also needed for the puja.