“Om Namah Shivaya!”

When we think, speak, or hear these sacred syllables, the glorious, majestic, and magnificent image of Lord Shiva enters our mind, calming us, bringing us peace, and helping us to focus on the supreme goal. On this special day, there is a natural upsurge of energy in our system. And in order to harness or benefit from this natural upsurge, there are various practices prescribed by our śāstras:

1. Jāgaraṇa – Stay awake. Devotees should stay awake during the day and night and keep the spine erect.

2. Upavāsa – Fast. Fasting detoxifies the body and curtails the restlessness of the mind and a mind that is not restless slips into meditation easily. It is recommended to fast with fruits or foods that are easily digestible. Note: Please take your health issues into consideration before deciding which fast to undertake:

Fast no. 1 – Skip one meal (preferably the evening one so that one can focus on prayer)

Fast no. 2 – Only eat fruits, nuts and milk and no other food and stop by 5:30pm.

Fast no. 3 – Stay without any food until midnight. This is prescribed to only those who have prior experience in fasting.

* After the puja, then one can break their fast.

3. Japa – Repeatedly chant the pañcākṣara mantra – Om Namaḥ Śivāya to purify the mind and make it very single-pointed.

4. Pūjā – Worship Bhagavān by inviting him to the altar and offering him chants, water, milk, light, naivedyam etc.

5. Bhajan – Entertain Bhagavān with various songs and dances which also in turn uplift our minds. Bhajans also help keep us awake and alert during the night.