Keeping A Shivlinga At Home: Rules To Be Observed

We know that offering milk and water to a Shivlinga has been suggested in the Hindu scriptures and has been told to be highly beneficial. That is why on the day of Shivratri, all the Hindus across the world unite to offer prayers to Lord Shiva and they visit temples to offer water to a Shivlinga. Hence, with lots of benefits being associated with the Shivlinga worship, every devotee of Lord Shiva would like to keep a Shivlinga at home, so that they can worship it daily.

Whether we should keep a Shivlinga at home or not has always been a debatable issue. While some people hold the view that it is inauspicious to keep a Shivlinga at home, others are of the opinion that we can keep it, provided some rules are observed. Here we have brought to you the list of rules to be observed regarding keeping a Shivlinga at home. Take a look.

Number Of Shivlingas

Shivlinga means the symbol of Lord Shiva. When we offer prayers to a symbol of a deity, it is said that the idol or the symbol gains some divine energy which is also the representative of the deity. Keeping one symbol and not more than that is necessary for the energy of God to reside in the representing symbol. Hence, we should never keep more than one Shivlinga at home. Moreover, since Lord Shiva is one, we should not use different symbols for him in one place.

Size Of The Shivlinga

Many people keep big Shivlingas that appear attractive and catch the visitor's eyes in their house. This is not considered right. Rather, it is said that a Shivlinga kept at home should be small, the size of which should not be more than the size of the thumb. A big Shivlinga, on the opposite, should be considered only for temples.

Puja Of Shivlinga

It is necessary that a Shivlinga kept at home should be worshipped both the times of the day. If offering prayers to it both in the morning and in the evening is not possible, one should not keep it at home. Every morning after taking bath, a tilak with sandalwood paste should be applied on it. Never use sindur or turmeric as a tilak on a Shivlinga.

Do Not Use Coconut Water

A Shivlinga can be given a bath with milk, water and gangajal mixed together. But never use coconut water as an offering to a Shivlinga. However, raw coconuts can always be offered to a Shivlinga. Another opinion held is that a Shivlinga should never be kept in a closed place. An open space is ideal as well as auspicious for establishing a Shivlinga.

Jaladhara Of Prime Importance

While it is said that a Shivlinga should be worshipped with all the rituals and a complete Puja should be offered to it, it is also believed that offering water to it once a week (what people generally do) is not at all good. Rather, a Jaladhara (fountain of water) should always run over a Shivlinga. Since there is a continuous flow of energy around it, there should be a Jaladhara to pacify the energy.

Do Not Offer Tulsi

Some flowers which have been cursed by Lord Shiva should not be offered to him and neither to a Shivlinga. Another thing to be kept in mind is that the flowers should be white in colour. Even the leaves of Tulsi should not be offered to a Shivlinga.

Substance That Shivlinga Is Made Of

It is considered that keeping a Shivlinga made of the stone which is found in the Narmada river is considered to be the most auspicious. The material that the Shivlinga is made of should preferably be of this stone. However, when a Shivlinga made of metal is established, it is important to note that it should be made of gold, silver or copper, and an artificial snake should be there sitting around the Shivlinga.