Rudra Abhishek at my friend's place...

This religious puja was held in my friend Shradha's place in the year 2008 during the monsoon time. This huge idol of Lord Shiva was made out of 1101 lotus flowers. It just looked awesome and the beautiful fragrance of the flower made the place more holy and calm.

Easiest to please is Lord Shiva, the lord who resides in the mighty Himalayas. Of the trinity of gods, he is the destroyer of life, but is easily pleased with devotees who pray for his grace and observe a fast on Mondays. Mythology abounds in stories of those who prospered because of their devotion to Mahadev. Observe these simple rules, please the god and get your wish fulfilled.

Offerings: Monday is the day of Shiva. The god's favourite colour is white. He likes white flowers, white clothes and a white seat. Even his home is amidst the snow-covered gleaming white peaks of the Himalayas. When offering a puja to the god, do it with white flowers and white sweets for the naivedyam .

Ritual: Shiva's devotees should observe a strict fast on Mondays, eating only after sunset. Unlike other fasts, one cannot eat in the afternoon and skip the evening meal. A rudra abhishek (ritual bath amidst chanting of mantras ) should be offered to the Shivalinga in the home shrine. During the puja , a specific number of bilva leaves must be offered to the Shivalinga. In the evening, a naivedyam of rice and curds should be offered.

However, unlike usual practice, this naivedyam cannot be eaten as prasad . It should instead be taken to a Shiva temple and given to the priest or offered to a cow. Occasionally, a Brahmin or a married woman should be invited for meals. Devotees should chant the mantra Om Namah Shivay throughout the day.

Special Mondays: If it is not possible to observe a fast every Monday, one should at least observe a fast on the Mondays in the month of Shravan. These days are especially auspicious.

Sixteen Mondays: If you are seeking something specific from the God, it is advisable to observe a vrat (religious ritual) of 16 Mondays. Observed in honour of Lord Shiva, it can be started on any Monday of the bright fortnight of the months of Vaishakh, Shravan, Kartik or Magh. A fast is observed on next 16 Mondays and the udyapan of the vrat (conclusion) is performed on the 17th Monday.

Every Monday, a detailed puja is performed with 16 offerings. Although the devotee is allowed to eat food cooked without salt, crystal sugar or thick sweet roti (bread), many observe a strict fast. A naivedyam of crystal sugar or roti (thick sweet bread) is prepared for Lord Shiva. Before offering it to the god, the naivedyam is divided into three parts. One part is offered to the god, one part is distributed amongst friends and relatives and the third part is eaten by the devotee. On the 17th Monday, the devotee offers a mahapuja to Shiva at a Shiva temple. Flowers of golden champak, bilva, lotus, bakuli and punnag are essential for this puja .

Naivedyam: Sweet rotis are made of 5 kg of wheat flour, one and quarter kilogram of clarified butter and one and quarter kilogram of jaggery. These are roasted on fire fuelled by cow dung cakes. One third of the rotis are offered to the Shivalingam in the temple, one third are distributed as prasad and one third are distributed amongst relatives during meals.

Vrat for Jagannath: During the month of Chaitra, the Somvar vrat is observed for Lord Jagannath. A person who has been on a pilgrimage to Jagannath Puri or whose family member has undertaken this pilgrimage can observe it. Devotees observe a fast and, in the evening, Lord Jagannath is ritually worshipped. A naivedyam is offered and the prasad is eaten. The devotee can then break the fast.