Mahashivratri 2023: Do Not Use These Puja Ingredients While Worshipping Lord Shiva

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Maha Shivratri is a significant day that is referred to as Great night of Shiva. Known as a powerful day which grants all the desires of devotees, there are several ways and means using which pujas are done and mantras recited, to avail the blessings of the Lord. Certain specific Rudrakshas are worn for specific desires, certain Shiva Stotras are recited to get specific wishes fulfilled , and certain flowers and fruits are offered along with abhishek using various puja ingredients. Lord Shiva is known to be instantly pleased if Cannabis, Datura, Milk, Sandalwood and Vibhuti are applied to the Shiv Linga especially on a Monday. There are certain ingredients listed in the Shiv Puran which says these items should not be offered to Lord Shiva on any day. Find out from the list, the ingredients that are banned for Lord Shiva worship.

Mahashivratri is due to arrive on 18 February 2023 on the Chaturdashi of the Krishna Paksha of Phalgun month. The below listed ingredients are not to be offered at all, to God failing which you may incur the wrath of Lord Shiva as it is an apachar or a wrong sinful act to present these to him during puja.
On the Shiv Ratri Day, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are worshipped and fast is observed. Worshipping the divine couple on this day, can bring immeasurably beneficial results in the life of a devotee. In case you are not aware of what should not be offered, take a glance at the below article and sort out your doubts.

1.Turmeric

Lord Shiva is the greatest representation of masculinity and he should be offered those ingredients that do not have a feminine touch. They should also not be used for worshipping female deities as well. For example, turmeric is used in the puja of Goddess Gauri and it represents married women who apply turmeric on their faces, feet and hands. Hence offering turmeric to Lord Shiva is not advised while performing the puja.

2. Sindoor

Sindoor, is applied to the foreheads of all Goddess Idols and it happens to be the eternal favourite of all female deities. Sindoor has an essentially feminine element that is worn by all women for extending the longevity of their husbands. Imagine what happens when you apply it on the forehead of the Lord Shiva idol lor on the Shiv Linga. He is known to be a destroyer and generally has a destructive effect. So applying a tilak of Sandal wood paste which actually pacifies the ugra element in him is helpful and auspicious.

3. Offering Water From Conch

Lord Shiva destroyed a conch shaped demon called Shankhachud. So holy water which is normally offered through a conch to other deities is actually not offered to Shiva. The conch demon was also a devotee of Lord Vishnu which is why a conch is used during the worship of Lord Shiva.

4. Tulsi

Tulsi is a divine consort of Lord Vishnu who was in her previous incarnation as Tulsi, was married to a demon Jalandhar. Jalandhar grew powerful and ominous day by day and it became a difficult task even for gods to handle his arrogance. It was all due to the power of Tulsi's devotion towards Lord Shiva that this was made possible. As long as Tulsi remained pure, no one could wreak his vengeance on Jalandhar. So to break this trend, Lord Vishnu broke the sanctity of Tulsi due to which the enraged Tulsi shunned Lord Shiva for ever. So Tulsi is not used in Shiva worship.

5. Broken Rice

Broken rice is always considered a thing of ill omen for any puja as it is impure in nature. So offer Akshat, or whole rice grains on Shiv Linga as this will please the Lord. Akshat holds a great importance for Pujas and homas and it is an auspicious ingredient to be used for Shiva Puja too. Raw rice should also not be used for any puja as it is strictly used for tarpans.

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