Shri Anna Ganapati Navgraha Siddhapeetham Nashik Maharashtra India

According to the ancient text Devi Bhagwat Puran, there was a demon known as Tripurasura who was very strong and had Divine energy and power. Due to these qualities he became proud and started to trouble deities and sages. No one was able to defeat this strong demon in war. On seeing his immoral actions Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and other deities prayed to the Lord of Lords Mahadev Shiva to destroy the evil Tripurasura. Lord Shiva closed his eyes and meditated for some time. When he opened his lotus–shaped eyes, tears fell from them onto the earth. Wherever his tears fell, a rudraksha tree grew. The fruits that grow on this tree are known as rudraksha beads. Lord Shiva then used his lethal, divine weapon known as Aghor and destroyed Tripurasura.

According to another ancient text Shiva Mahapuran, Mata Parvati asked Lord Shiva about the origin of the rudraksha. Lord Shiva answered that he had done penance for a thousand years. Tired of keeping his eyes closed for so long Lord Shiva opened his eyes and tears fell from them and from these tears the rudraksha tree was born. The seeds of the tree were distributed on the earth. Hence the word rudraksha comes from two Sanskrit words ‘rudra’, a synonym for Lord Shiva and ‘aksha’ meaning tears.

According to Shiva Purana, sincere worship of Lord Shiva yields merits including spiritual growth for the devotees. It also provides extensive details on the right way to perform Shivratri Puja.

Shiva Purana further says that performing abhisheka of ShivaLinga with six different dravyas including milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water while chanting Sri Rudram, Chamakam and Dasa Shanthi pleases Lord Shiva the most. According to the mythology, each of these dravya used in the abhisheka blesses a unique quality:

1. Milk is for the blessing of purity and piousness.

2. Yogurt is for prosperity and progeny.

3. Honey is for sweet speech.

4. Ghee is for victory.

5. Sugar is for happiness.

6. Water is for purity.

Besides, worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri is also considered to be extremely beneficial for women. While, married women pray to Shiva for the well being of their husbands and sons, unmarried women pray for a husband like Shiva, who is considered to be the ideal husband.

To perform the worship of Lord Shiva on Shivratri, devotees wake up early and take a ritual bath, preferably in the holy waters of river Ganga. This is followed by worship to Sun God, Vishnu and Shiva in accordance with the purification rite observed on all–important Hindu festivals. Devotees then wear fresh new clothes and pay a visit to the nearest Shiva temple. As a tradition, devotees observe a fast on a Shivaratri day. Some do not consume even a drop of water.

Following the method prescribed in Shiva Purana, priests perform ritual puja of Shiva Linga every three hours all through the day and night of Shivaratri Festival. During this pooja, chants of Om Namah Shivaya and sounds of bells reverberate in the temple. Following the bath with milk, yoghurt, honey, ghee, sugar and water that helps in the purification of the soul a vermilion paste is applied on the Linga as it represents virtue. These six items form an indispensable part of Shivaratri, be it a simple ceremony at home or grand temple worship

After this, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga to cool the hot–tempered deity.Ber or jujube fruit is also offered to Lord Shiva, as it is symbolic of longevity and gratification of desires. Some devotees also offer the auspicious betel leaves to Lord Shiva marking satisfaction with worldly pleasures. Garlanding of Linga with flowers and garlands is also a part of the ritual Shivaratri Puja. Devotees also burn incense sticks as is said to yield wealth. Many also light lamps to symbolize attainment of knowledge. It is said that by offering water, hugging the Linga, lighting the diya and incense andringing the temple bells, devotees call into focus all their senses, making them acutely aware of themselves and the universe to which they belong.

This ritual worship of Lord Shiva continues through the day and night of Shivaratri. Devotees stay awake and spent the night in Shiva temples by chanting ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ and singing hymns and verses in praise of Lord Shankar. Devotees observing vrat on Shivaratri break it only the next morning by partaking prasad offered to Lord Shiva.

According to the Shiva Puranas, observing a fast on Pradosham Vratam is regarded as highly auspicious and beneficial. One would be blessed with wealth, children, happiness and honor. While the fast is undertaken by all Shiva devotees, but all women who have been longing for a son specially observe this. Also, praying to Lord Shiva during the course of the fast is said to liberate the devotee from all his previous and present sins and evil deeds committed. According to one legend, Lord Shiva is believed to have drunk the Halahala poison during Pradosham. This poison was mixed with the Ocean of Milk (Samudra Manthan).

According to Hindu belief, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison on a Saturday and this is called Sani Pradosh or Shani Pradosha. Sani Pradosham is classified into Uthama Shani Pradhosham, Mathima Sani Pradhosham, and Athama Sani Pradhosham.

Uthama Sani Pradhosha is the Sani Pradhosham that comes during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during the waxing period. Mathima Sani Pradhosham occurs during the Tamil month of Chithirai, Vaigasi, Ayppasi and Karthigai during waning period. All other Shani Pradhoshams come under this category Athama Shani Pradhosha.

Maha Pradhosha is a yearly rite which falls during February – March (Magha in Sanskrit, Kumbha Masam in Malayalam, and Maasi in Tamil) before Maha Sivarathri. Pradosham is carried out regularly in all Lord Shiva Temples across the country.

According to Hindu Puranas, the gods (Devas) and the demons (Asuras) were stirring the milky ocean to extract amritam (nectar), with Vasuki (the serpent king) as a rope. As Vasuki underwent severe scratches due to the churning, she emitted a powerful poison which is capable of destroying the world. The helpless celestials pleaded Lord Shiva to save them. In order to save them, Lord Shiva swallowed the poison. Goddess Parvati stopped the poison in Lord’s throat and it is believed that his throat turned to blue.

As a result of this, Lord Shiva came to be known as Thiruneelagandan or Neelakandan (the one with Blue Throat).

1. Milk – Gives Long Life

2. Ghee – Gives Moksha state

3. Curd – Gives Good Children

4. Honey – Give Melodious Voice

5. Rice Powder [Arisi Podi] – Frees from Debts

6. Sugar Cane Juice – Gives good health and removes enmity

7. Pancha–amrutham – Gives Wealth

8. Lime Juice – Removes fear of Death

9. Tender Coconut – Gives enjoyment and full satisfaction in life

10. Cooked Rice [Annam] – Gives Majestic life

11. Sandal – Gives Lakshmi’s grace

12. Sugar – Removes enmity

Rudra is always known to be easily pleased and through the praise contained in Sri Rudram, the fierce Rudra is calmed and becomes ready to grant us every conceivable blessing as requested in the Chamakam hymn.

Maha rudra Abhishek is performed once in a lifetime. This yagna is performed to get the blessings of the Lord Shiva. It is considered as the best remedial solution for removing the negative effects of the heavenly bodies and get success as well as prosperity in life.

All the rituals performed here are similar to those performed in the Ekadasa Rudra Homam. However, here pandits are involved who recite the Rudram about 11 times in one day (i.e. 1331 times reciting the Shri Rudram). In addition, instead of one–day recital this yagna is also performed for 4 days in which 33 pandits are involved to complete the 1331 Rudram japas.

After the yagna the homa is performed using special ingredients and the remaining japas are done while performing the homa. In addition, along with 121 pandits who are involved in performing the yagna there are 10 more pandits, who take care of the abhishekam process.

This yagya is very propitious and one must be very lucky to get this yagya performed. Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati bless the worshipper with the eight types of wealth. This yagya is extremely helpful and must be performed by the help of expert Vedic pandits.

1. It helps in minimizing the malefic effects of the moon.

2. The Maha Rudra Abhishekam also removes the evil effects of Pushya, Punarvasu and Ashlesha Nakshatras and make them beneficial.

3. It removes the negativity from life and brings peace as well as prosperity in life. It also blesses the individual with the healthy mind and good spirit.

Lord Shiva symbolizes the characteristic of Supreme Being and is highly admired to be the destroyer of all sorrow and evil. The Vedic hymn Sri Rudram is the oldest listing of various names of Lord Shiva. Through the chanting of Sri Rudram, Lord Shiva's various attributes and aspects are invoked and worshipped. The power available during the Shravan month is of such a high magnitude that Yogis activate mantras and become recipients of great magical and occult secrets. The sick become well, the unmarried find ideal mates, debts are removed, wealth and power is showered and death is evaded. He is the union of both male and female energies as He is the Ardhnarishwar. It is said the key of Lord Kubera's wealth is held by Lord Shiva. All nine planets are supposed to be under the domain of Shiva and hence his propitiation leads to gains in Career, Job, Business, Relationship, Marriage and Health. It is said that Lord Shiva and His consort, the Divine Mother Annapurna blesses with Ashta Siddhis and Nava Niddhis.

Chanting the Rudram and listening to the chanting are considered to be of great benefit. Eleven recitations of the Sri Rudram followed by one recitation of the Chamakam are called Ekadasa Rudram. Eleven Ekadasa Rudram recitations make one Laghu Rudram.

1. To minimize the malefic effect of, Pushya, Ashlesha, and Punarvasu Nakshatras. For removal of negativities, purify the negative karma and give protection in life and bringing peace, prosperity and good health.

2. To minimize the malefic effects of afflicted moon.

1. People suffering from malefic effects of Moon.

2. Those suffering from various ailments and diseases.

3. Those desirous of finding suitable soul–mate.

4. For peace and harmony in family.

5. Best to be performed on individual birthdates, anniversaries and on festive occasions like Shiv Ratri, Makarsankranti, on Amavasya and Eclipses.