What to offer and what to avoid in Shiv Puja during Sawan 2025,

11-07-2025

Lord Shiv, affectionately known as Ashutosh, is believed to be easy to please for his followers. The name Ashutosh means "easy to satisfy," where "Ashu" signifies swift and "Tosh" means contentment. Devotees also refer to him as Bhole Baba, highlighting his childlike innocence and capacity for forgiveness.This year, the month of Sawan (Shravan) begins on July 11, 2025. Worshipping Lord Shiv during this month, especially on Mondays known as Shravan Somwar, is considered sacred and spiritually significant. However, it is important to understand what pleases Lord Shiv and what should be avoided while performing purusharth (prayers).advertisementWHAT TO OFFER LORD SHIVWater (Jal): After Lord Shiv consumed the deadly poison during the Samudra Manthan, his body was scorched with heat. Pouring water over the Shivling helps cool and soothe him, which is why this offering is considered the most sacred.Belpatra (Bilva Leaves): The three-lobed Belpatra symbolises Lord Shiv's three eyes and is one of his favourite offerings.Datura (Thorn Apple): Though bitter, datura represents removing bitterness from one's mind and soul. Scriptures say offering datura to Lord Shiv is as meritorious as offering 1,000 blue lotuses.Flowers of Shami and Aak (Madar): Offering just one Aak flower is believed to be equal to donating gold. Similarly, a single Shami flower carries the merit of offering 1,000 daturas.Sandalwood Paste: Applying cool, fragrant sandalwood paste (chandan) on the Shivling is believed to increase the devotee's respect and honour in society.Other Offerings: Milk, camphor, bhang (hemp), holy ash (bhasma), rice, rudraksh beads, thandai, malpua, and halwa are also deeply cherished by Lord Shiv.WHAT NOT TO OFFER LORD SHIVCosmetic Items: As Lord Shiv is an ascetic who rejects worldly pleasures, devotees should avoid offering haldi (turmeric), mehndi, or roli.Shankh Jal: Water from a conch shell should never be offered. According to the Shiv Puran, Lord Shiv defeated the demon Shankhachood, making shankh water inauspicious for his worship.Tulsi Leaves: Tulsi, who was once Vrinda, had cursed Lord Shiv for killing her husband Jalandhar. Hence, tulsi leaves are strictly forbidden in the Shiv puja.Coconut Water: Coconut is linked to Goddess Lakshmi, and using its water for abhishek is not recommended in Lord Shiv's worship.Ketaki Flower: Due to a mythological incident where the Ketaki flower lay during a dispute between Brahma and Vishnu, it was cursed by Lord Shiv and is strictly prohibited in his worship.As Sawan 2025 approaches, follow these sacred dos and don'ts, along with sadhana, to pay homage to Lord Shiv with real devotion. Offering what Lord Shiv truly loves and avoiding the forbidden will bring true meaning to prayers and provide a spiritually fulfilling Shravan time.- Ends

Hashtags

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Putrada Ekadashi 2025 vrat katha: Shravan Ekadashi vrat today; know ekadashi katha, muhurat, puja timings, and more

Hindustan Times

23 minutes ago

Hindustan Times

Putrada Ekadashi 2025 vrat katha: Shravan Ekadashi vrat today; know ekadashi katha, muhurat, puja timings, and more

Putrada Ekadashi 2025: The auspicious occasion of Putrada Ekadashi is observed twice annually by Hindu devotees. Per Drik Panchang, Ekadashi during Paush Shukla Paksha and Ekadashi during Shravan Shukla Paksha are known as Putrada Ekadashi. Paush Shukla Paksha Ekadashi falls in the month of December or January, while Shravan Shukla Paksha Ekadashi is observed in July or August. Putrada Ekadashi 2025: Check out date, shubh muhurat, vrat katha, puja rituals and more about the auspicious festival. (Pinterest) Also Read | Kamika Ekadashi 2025: Know Ekadashi vrat katha, rituals and significance Pausha Putrada Ekadashi is more popular in the northern Indian states, and the Shravana Putrada Ekadashi is more popular in other states. It is also called Pavitropana Ekadashi or Pavitra Ekadashi. Putrada Ekadashi 2025: Date, muhurat and puja timings This year, Shravana Putrada Ekadashi falls on Tuesday, August 5. Here are all the important timings you should know about: Parana Time - On August 6, 5:45 AM to 8:26 AM On Parana Day Dwadashi End Moment - 2:08 PM Ekadashi Tithi Begins - 11:41 AM on August 4, 2025 Ekadashi Tithi Ends - 1:12 PM on August 5, 2025 Putrada Ekadashi 2025: Ekadashi vrat katha According to the Hindu beliefs, Lord Krishna told Arjun about the importance of Ekadashis, upon which, he implored Lord Krishna to tell him the story of the Ekadashi of the Shukla Paksha of Shravana month. After this, Krishna told him that just by listening to the story of Putrada Ekadashi, one gets the blessings equivalent to the infinite yagna. Per the katha, in the Dvapara Yuga, King Mahajita of Mahishmati, though righteous, was childless due to a sin from a past life—driving away a thirsty cow on Ekadashi. Sage Lomasha advised his subjects to observe Putrada Ekadashi and dedicate its merit to the king. They did so, and the king was blessed with a son, restoring joy and dharma. The Putrada Ekadashi vrat katha teaches us that even the smallest sin causes great suffering; live truthfully, with devotion, and never hurt others—karma follows beyond lifetimes.

The Hindu

4 hours ago

The Hindu

Praise of Mahalakshmi

In his Guna Ratna Kosa, Parasara Bhattar prays for Goddess Mahalakshmi's merciful glances to fall on him, for he has no one else who can offer him protection (asaranam maam paalaya). Parasara shows his affection for Goddess Ranganayaki of Srirangam through Guna Ratna Kosa, said T.A.K. Srinivasacharya in a discourse. In one verse, he says he is afraid to even praise Her, for even his words of praise might hurt Her tender body! He says that when Her attendants look at Her, Her body suffers like a flower exposed to the heat of the sun. The vanamala garland that the Lord wears is Her swing, says Parasara. He is concerned that even these flowers will have an abrasive effect on Her delicate skin. She is Herself a garland on the Lord's chest. Goddess Ranganayaki is beautiful even when She is not wearing ornaments. And when the priests of the temple adorn her with pearl earrings and pearl necklaces, anklets, a jewel on Her forehead and a girdle, She looks even more charming. The ornaments are like lovely buds and flowers on a creeper. Parasara Bhattar elaborates on Goddess Mahalakshmi's qualities. Like Lord Narayana, Goddess Mahalakshmi is eternally youthful. She shares many other qualities with Him. She stands by Him in everything. Here one should recall the Ramayana sloka, where Janaka gives Sita in marriage to Rama. Janaka says with reference to Sita — saha dharamacharee tava. Here he is assuring Rama that Sita will share in His duties. While Lakshmi and He share the same auspicious qualities, there are some that are special to Her. While She is worshipped by Her devotees, She, in turn, worships the Lord. She gets rid of the doshas of Her bhaktas. She pays attention to us, when we tell Her about our problems. She accepts us despite our flaws. She persuades Him to accept us.

Huge influx of devotees on last Shrawan Mon amid flood alert

Time of India

5 hours ago

Time of India

Huge influx of devotees on last Shrawan Mon amid flood alert

Varanasi: Despite continuous drizzling until Monday morning, a huge crowd of saffron-clad and pilgrims from across the country flooded the roads leading to Kashi Vishwanath Dham on the last Monday of the Shrawan month. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Extra alertness was maintained by police at the ghats along the Ganga due to the flood. As the river water has entered the city there is no space left for for bathing at the ghats. Kanwariyas and devotees, queued up in barricaded areas in and around the Kashi Vishwanath Dham since early morning hours despite the drizzle, As they entered the shrine area they were welcomed with showering of flower petals by the temple chief executive officer Vishwa Bhushan Mishra and other senior officials. The devotees performed jalabhishek and also witnessed the Rudraksha Shringar (adornment) of Lord Vishwanath on the occasion. Though massive crowding was evident on the past three Mondays, a larger crowd converged on the holy city on the last Monday of the auspicious month. Police and NDRF personnel worked hard to manage the crowd thronging Dashashwamedh Ghat for bathing and fetching water in urns, as the overflowing river's water had submerged the roads. They demarcated the area with ropes to ensure that kanwariyas and pilgrims did not enter unsafe zones. The size of queues from both Godowlia and Maidagin sides contniued to grow long until late evening hours. Maintaining their tradition of offering jalabhishek at Shringar Gauri in the Gyanvapi premises on Shrawan's last Monday, Shiv Sena activists led by Ajay Chaubey tried to take out their procession. However, a heavy police force led by ACP Dashaswamedh Atul Anjan Tripathi foiled their bid at Girjaghar crossing and sent them back. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A heavy rush of devotees was also visible at other prominent temples of Lord Shiv, including Markandeya Mahadeo in Kaithi, Gauri Kedareshwar, Tilbhandeshwar, Jageshwar, Mrityunjaya Mahadeo, Kardmeshwar, and Rameshwar Mahadeo temples.