Rudrabhishek Puja Vidhi (रुद्राभिषेक पूजा विधि)
How to do Rudrabhishek: materials, order of the abhishek, what each substance is associated with, mantras, rules and when to do it.
When to do it
- Monday
- Pradosh
- Mahashivratri
- The month of Shravan
Puja materials checklist
Puja method (step by step)
Bath and purification
Bathe and wear clean, preferably freshly washed clothes. Keep the mind calm and put your phone away.
Prepare the place
Clean the place of worship. East or north-east is considered best. Spread a clean cloth on a low wooden seat (chowki) and install the idol or picture.
Lamp and achaman
Light the lamp and incense. Take water in the right palm and sip it three times (achaman).
Sankalp (resolve)
Holding water, rice grains (akshat) and a flower in your hand, say silently your name, gotra (if known) and the purpose of the puja, then pour the water on the ground. A resolve in simple language is also valid.
Ganesh vandana
Remembering Ganesha before any puja is considered auspicious in tradition.
Bathe the Shivling with water
Bathe the Shivling with clean water and Gangajal.
Abhishek in order
Perform the abhishek one by one with milk, curd, ghee, honey and sugar, purifying with water after each.
Rudri path or mantra
Have the Rudri path done by a pandit or perform the abhishek yourself while chanting Om Namah Shivaya.
Sandalwood, bel patra, bhog
Offer sandalwood, bhasma, bel patra and dhatura, then offer the bhog.
Aarti
Perform aarti with a ghee lamp. Let all family members stand together, and take the aarti at the end.
Prayer for forgiveness
Ask humbly for forgiveness for any mistake made during the puja.
Prasad and closing
Share the prasad with everyone and take some yourself. Take the blessings of elders. Immerse flowers and other puja materials in flowing water or under a tree, rather than throwing them in the trash.
Mantras
✔ Do
- Bathe and wear clean clothes before the puja
- Sit with a calm mind and faith
- Keep the bhog clean and prepared at home
- Share the prasad with everyone after the puja
- Share the prasad after the abhishek
✘ Do not
- Do not get distracted by your phone or conversation during the puja
- Avoid anger, gossip and harsh speech
- Do not offer stale or impure flowers and bhog
- Do not place the idol or picture directly on the floor
- Tulsi, turmeric and ketaki flowers are not offered to Shiva (tradition)
- Do not use stale milk or an impure vessel
Common mistakes
- Offering water with a conch (avoided in tradition)
- Letting the abhishek water touch the feet; collect it in a vessel and immerse it
Auspicious muhurat
For a special Rudrabhishek, the pandit checks Shivavas and the tithi in the panchang. For an ordinary abhishek, Monday and Pradosh Kaal are considered auspicious.
Related aarti, katha and mantra
Frequently asked questions
What is Rudrabhishek?
Can Rudrabhishek be done at home?
What does each substance stand for?
What is Shivavas?
How often can Rudrabhishek be done?
Other puja vidhis
Note: puja methods vary by family, region and sect. The method given here is a simple, general form. Give priority to your family tradition or your pandit’s guidance.