How to do Shiv pooja in sawan - The holy month of Sawan holds immense spiritual significance for devotees of Lord Shiva across the globe. This sacred period, typically falling between July and August, is considered the most auspicious time to worship Mahadev and seek his divine blessings.
How to do Shiv pooja in sawan
Whether you're a seasoned devotee or someone looking to deepen your spiritual practice, this comprehensive guide will walk you through every aspect of performing Shiv Puja during Sawan with proper rituals, mantras, and devotional practices.
Understanding the Sacred Month of Savan
Sawan, also known as Shravan, is the fifth month in the Hindu lunar calendar and is entirely dedicated to Lord Shiva. During this period, devotees observe fasts, perform abhishek (ritual bathing of the Shivling), and chant powerful mantras to connect with the divine energy of Mahadev.
The Mondays (Sawan Somwar) during this month are particularly significant, with millions of devotees visiting Shiva temples and performing special pujas at home.
How to Perform Shiv Puja During Sawan: A Complete Sacred Guide
The spiritual energy during Sawan is believed to be at its peak, making it the perfect time for devotees to purify their minds, seek forgiveness for past karma, and pray for prosperity, good health, and spiritual growth.
Many believe that sincere worship during this month can fulfill even the most difficult wishes and provide protection from negative influences.
Also read - सावन शिवरात्रि पूजा विधि | Sawan Shivratri Puja Vidhi
Essential Items for Savan Shiv Puja
Before beginning your sacred worship, gather these essential puja items:
Primary Offerings:
- Fresh Ganga jal (holy water from river Ganges) or clean water
- Fresh cow milk, Pure honey, Fresh curd (yogurt), Clarified butter (ghee), White sugar or jaggery
Sacred Leaves and Flowers:
- Fresh Bilva leaves (Belpatra) - most important offering to Lord Shiva
- White flowers (jasmine, lotus, or any white blooms), Dhatura flowers (if available and safe to handle)
- Marigold garlands
Other Essential Items:
- Sandalwood paste or powder, Kumkum (vermillion) and turmeric
- Incense sticks (agarbatti), Camphor (kapoor)
- Cotton wicks and sesame oil, Fresh fruits (bananas, apples, coconut)
- Sweets or kheer as prasadam
- Clean white or yellow cloth, Small brass or copper vessel for abhishek
Also read - Sawan Shivratri | Significance & Ritual Importance
Step-by-Step Savan Shiv Puja Vidhi
Morning Preparation (Before Sunrise)
1. Personal Purification Begin your day with a purifying bath using clean water. Wear fresh, preferably white or saffron-colored clothes. Create a clean, sacred space in your home where you'll perform the puja. If you have a Shivling, place it on a clean platform. If not, you can worship a photograph of Lord Shiva.
2. Kalash Sthapana Fill a copper or brass vessel with fresh water or Ganga jal. Add a few Bilva leaves to the water. This will be used for the abhishek ceremony.
Main Puja Ritual
3. Invocation and Dhyana Sit facing east or north. Close your eyes and meditate on Lord Shiva's divine form. Visualize him as the supreme consciousness, adorned with serpents, holding a trident, with the crescent moon on his forehead and the sacred Ganga flowing from his hair.
4. Ganesh Pujan Before beginning Shiva worship, offer prayers to Lord Ganesha to remove obstacles:
Ganesh Mantra: ॐ गं गणपतये नमः Om Gam Ganapataye Namah Meaning: I bow to Lord Ganesha, the remover of obstacles
5. Abhishek (Sacred Bathing) This is the most important part of Sawan Shiv Puja. Perform the abhishek in the following sequence:
- First, pour plain water while chanting "Om Namah Shivaya"
- Pour milk slowly while reciting Shiva mantras
- Offer honey with devotion
- Pour curd while maintaining concentration
- Offer ghee as a symbol of purity
- Finally, pour Ganga jal as the concluding abhishek
During abhishek, continuously chant:
Primary Shiva Mantra: ॐ नमः शिवाय Om Namah Shivaya Meaning: I bow to Lord Shiva, the auspicious one
6. Bilva Patra Offering After abhishek, gently place fresh Bilva leaves on the Shivling. These three-leafed offerings are extremely dear to Lord Shiva and represent the three qualities of nature (sattva, rajas, tamas) as well as the three eyes of Shiva.
While offering Bilva leaves, chant:
Bilva Patra Mantra: त्रिदलं त्रिगुणाकारं त्रिनेत्रं च त्रिआयुधम्। त्रिजन्मपापसंहारं एकबिल्वं शिवार्पणम्॥
Tridalam Trigunaakaram Trinetram Cha Triayudham Trijanmapapasanharam Ekabilavama Shivarpanam
Meaning: I offer this Bilva leaf with three leaflets, representing the three qualities, three eyes, and three weapons of Lord Shiva, which destroys sins of three lifetimes
Powerful Sawan Mantras with Meanings
1. Mahamrityunjaya Mantra (The Great Death-Conquering Mantra)
This is the most powerful mantra for protection, healing, and spiritual transformation:
Sanskrit: ॐ त्र्यम्बकं यजामहे सुगन्धिं पुष्टिवर्धनम्। उर्वारुकमिव बन्धनान् मृत्योर्मुक्षीय माऽमृतात्॥
Transliteration: Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushti-Vardhanam Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat
Detailed Meaning: "We worship the three-eyed Lord Shiva who is fragrant (with spiritual virtues) and who nourishes and nurtures all living beings.
As the cucumber is effortlessly separated from its bondage to the vine, may we be liberated from death and attain immortality."
Benefits: This mantra provides protection from diseases, accidents, and untimely death while promoting physical and spiritual well-being.
2. Shiva Gayatri Mantra
Sanskrit: ॐ तत्पुरुषाय विद्महे महादेवाय धीमहि। तन्नो रुद्रः प्रचोदयात्॥
Transliteration: Om Tatpurushaya Vidmahe Mahadevaya Dhimahi Tanno Rudrah Prachodayat
Meaning: "We meditate upon the supreme being, we contemplate upon the great god. May Lord Rudra inspire and illumine our minds and understanding."
Benefits: This mantra enhances wisdom, spiritual knowledge, and divine consciousness.
3. Rudra Mantra
Sanskrit: ॐ नमो भगवते रुद्राय
Transliteration: Om Namo Bhagavate Rudraya
Meaning: "I bow to the divine Lord Rudra (Shiva), the fierce and compassionate destroyer of evil."
Benefits: Removes negative energies, fears, and obstacles from life.
4. Shiva Panchakshara Mantra
Sanskrit: ॐ नमः शिवाय
Transliteration: Om Namah Shivaya
Deep Meaning:
- Om - The primordial sound of creation
- Na - Represents the earth element and Lord Ganesha's grace
- Mah - Represents the water element and divine protection
- Shi - Represents the fire element and transformation
- Va - Represents air element and divine grace
- Ya - Represents space element and cosmic consciousness
This five-syllable mantra encompasses the entire cosmos and represents the five elements of creation.
Complete Evening Aarti Procedure
After the morning puja, perform the evening aarti with these steps:
1. Light the Diya Light a cotton wick dipped in ghee or sesame oil. Hold the diya in your right hand.
2. Wave the Light Move the diya in clockwise circles in front of the deity while chanting:
Aarti Mantra: ॐ जय शिव ओंकारा, स्वामी जय शिव ओंकारा। ब्रह्मा विष्णु सदाशिव, अर्धांगी धारा॥
Om Jay Shiv Omkara, Swami Jay Shiv Omkara Brahma Vishnu Sadashiv, Ardhangi Dhara
3. Offer Prasadam Present sweets, fruits, or specially prepared kheer to Lord Shiva with devotion.
4. Final Prayer Conclude with hands folded in prayer position:
Closing Mantra: करचरणकृतं वाक्कायजं कर्मजं वा। श्रवणनयनजं वा मानसं वापराधम्। विहितमविहितं वा सर्वमेतत्क्षमस्व। जय जय करुणाब्धे श्रीमहादेव शम्भो॥
Karacharanakritam Vakkaayajam Karmajam Va Shravananayanajavaa Manasam Vaaparadham Vihitamavihitam Va Sarvametatkshamasva Jaya Jaya Karunaabdhe Shrimahadeva Shambho
Meaning: "Whatever sins I have committed through my hands, feet, speech, body, actions, ears, eyes, or mind - whether prescribed or forbidden - please forgive them all. Victory to you, O ocean of compassion, Lord Mahadeva Shambho!"
Special Sawan Monday (Somwar) Rituals
Mondays during Sawan require special attention and additional practices:
Morning Rituals:
- Wake up before sunrise
- Take a holy bath
- Visit a Shiva temple if possible
- Perform extended abhishek
- Chant "Om Namah Shivaya" 108 times minimum
Fasting Guidelines:
- Observe complete or partial fast
- Avoid grains, pulses, and salt if doing complete fast
- Consume only fruits, milk, and water
- Break fast only after evening puja
- Maintain celibacy and positive thoughts
Special Offerings:
- Offer white flowers exclusively
- Present kheer made with milk and rice
- Light camphor during aarti
- Perform charitable acts
- Help the needy and donate food
Benefits of Regular Savan Shiv Puja
Consistent worship during Savan brings numerous spiritual and material benefits:
Spiritual Benefits:
- Purification of mind and soul
- Removal of past life karmic debts
- Enhanced spiritual awareness and meditation
- Protection from negative energies
- Faster spiritual evolution
Material Benefits:
- Improved health and longevity
- Success in career and business
- Harmonious family relationships
- Financial stability and prosperity
- Protection from accidents and enemies
Psychological Benefits:
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Increased mental peace and clarity
- Better emotional control
- Enhanced confidence and courage
- Positive attitude towards life
Important Guidelines and Precautions
Do's During Savan Puja:
- Maintain personal cleanliness and purity
- Wear clean, light-colored clothes
- Keep fasting if your health permits
- Chant mantras with complete devotion
- Help others and practice charity
- Maintain positive thoughts and speech
- Avoid conflicts and arguments
Don'ts During Savan:
- Don't consume alcohol or non-vegetarian food
- Avoid negative thoughts and criticism
- Don't skip the daily puja routine
- Avoid wearing dark colors during puja
- Don't perform puja during eclipse periods
- Avoid starting new ventures on Tuesdays
Creating Your Sacred Space at Home
Transform a corner of your home into a divine sanctuary:
Physical Setup:
- Choose a clean, quiet corner facing east or north
- Place a small platform or table covered with white cloth
- Install proper lighting - natural light during day, oil lamps in evening
- Ensure good ventilation and cleanliness
- Keep puja items organized in separate containers
Spiritual Preparation:
- Sprinkle Ganga jal around the area
- Light incense to purify the atmosphere
- Play soft devotional music or mantras
- Remove all distractions like mobile phones
- Create an atmosphere of reverence and devotion
Conclusion: Embracing the Divine Grace
The sacred month of Savan offers a golden opportunity to deepen your spiritual connection with Lord Shiva and transform your life through devotion and righteous living.
Remember that the external rituals are meaningful only when accompanied by sincere devotion, pure intentions, and a genuine desire for spiritual growth.
As you embark on this spiritual journey, approach each puja with complete faith and surrender. Lord Shiva, known as Bholenath (the innocent lord), responds to even the simplest offering when given with a pure heart.
The mantras, rituals, and practices described in this guide are time-tested methods passed down through generations of devotees who have experienced the transformative power of Savan worship.
May your devotion during this holy month bring you the blessings of Mahadev - peace, prosperity, good health, and ultimate spiritual liberation.
Remember, consistency in practice is more important than elaborate rituals. Even a few minutes of sincere worship daily can create profound changes in your life.
Let the divine grace of Lord Shiva guide you on your spiritual path, and may the sacred vibrations of "Om Namah Shivaya" resonate in your heart throughout this blessed month of Savan and beyond.
Har Har Mahadev! 🙏
This guide serves as a comprehensive resource for devotees seeking to perform authentic Shiv Puja during Savan. Always consult with learned scholars or priests for specific questions about rituals and adapt the practices according to your personal circumstances and family traditions.
