Objective: To perform a sacred bathing ritual for the Shiva Lingam to earn spiritual merit.
Prerequisites/Requirements: Shiva Lingam, water, Gangajal, unboiled milk, coconut water/sugarcane juice, Panchamrit, Sandal paste, Kungum, white cloth, flowers, Bael Patra, sweets, fruits, incense, ghee lamp, matches, camphor, and white rice.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Waking up and taking a bath.
- Wearing fresh, clean clothes.
- Cleaning and washing the prayer or Jhanda area.
- Positioning the Lingam so the Yoni faces South and the worshipper sits West facing East.
- Perform Achamanam: Sip water three times from the palm while chanting “OM VISHNU”.
- Perform Prarthana: Chant the five invocatory mantras (“Om Gurubhyo Namah”, etc.).
- Perform the Bathing (Abhishekam): Bathe the Lingam in sequence with tap water/Gangajal, unboiled milk, Sugarcane/Coconut juice, Panchamrit, and a final water rinse while chanting “Om Namah Shivaye”.
- Wipe the Lingam dry and place it on its seat.
- Decorate: Apply Sandal paste (Tripunda) and a Kungum dot; cover with white cloth; garland with flowers and Bael Patra.
- Offerings: Sprinkle white rice and petals; light and rotate incense (9 times); light and rotate the ghee lamp (9 times).
- Food Offering: Offer 3 drops of water, then present fruits and sweets clockwise three times, then offer 3 more drops of water.
- Final steps: Place coconut water and a betel leaf/nut; perform the camphor lamp arati.
- Chanting: Recite the Maha Mrityunjaya mantra and Shanti Paath.
