Some rules for worshiping Lord Shiva have been mentioned in the Vedas. According to these rules, what things should not be offered to Shivling? This has also been mentioned. Know which things should not be offered during the worship of Lord Shiva especially during the month of Sawan.
Do not offer these flowers to Lord Shiva
Generally offering white and blue colored flowers to Lord Shiva is considered auspicious. But there are many flowers in this color which are prohibited to be offered. Ketaki flowers are not offered to Shivling. Apart from this, Red-colored flowers, Champa, are not offered. It is not scriptural to offer some flowers in the worship of Lord Shiva. They are- Kadamba, Kevda, Ketaki, Shirish, etc.
Why not the Ketaki flower?
According to Shivpuran, once there was a dispute between Lord Vishnu and Lord Brahma as to who is the greater of the two. To decide this, he appointed Lord Shiva as the judge and only then a Jyotirlinga appeared. Lord Shiva said that whoever tells the beginning and end of the Shivling will be great.
Lord Vishnu holding the Jyotirlinga went to find out the top end and Lord Brahma down below. But, when Lord Vishnu could not find out the end, he came back but Lord Brahma approached Lord Shiva with the Ketaki flower as a witness and said that he had found the beginning. He got false testimony from Ketaki Flowers. Lord Shiva got angry at Brahmaji’s lie and cut off one of his heads. Since then Lord Brahma became four-faced from five-faced. Since Ketaki flowers were also included in Lord Brahma’s lie, they are not offered in the worship of Lord Shiva.
Lord Shiva likes the Champa flower but still it is not offered to him
According to the Hindu religion, Lord Shiva likes the Champa flower very much but still this flower is not offered to him. Apart from this, Ketaki flower is also not offered to Bholenath. Let us tell you why? According to mythology, a Brahmin was plucking Champa flowers for his evil wishes but when Narada Muni asked the tree if anyone had plucked its flowers, it denied. But, Narad ji had come to know the truth. There, the Brahmin worshiped Bholenath with Champa flowers and became king and started torturing the people. When Narad ji asked Lord Shiva why he had given a boon to a Brahmin, Bholenath said that whoever worships me with Champa, I fulfill his every wish.
Thereafter, Narada Muni went back and cursed the Champa tree that its flowers would never be accepted in the worship of Lord Shiva because it lied. Since then, Champa flowers are not offered to Lord Shiva.
Do not offer turmeric to Lord Shiv
Turmeric is also not used in the worship of Lord Shiva. Because turmeric is the form of Goddess Lakshmi. It is also used by women as beauty. That’s why don’t use turmeric. Turmeric is used only during the worship of Mother Parvati and Shiva on the day of Mahashivaratri.
Do not offer Kumkum or Roli and Sindure to Lord Shiv
Even kumkum or roli is not offered in Shivling. Because both these things are signs of happiness. That’s why Mahadev should not be offered kumkum or vermilion. Vermilion is considered to be the jewel of married women. Women apply vermilion to their mang to wish their husbands a long and healthy life and also offer it to God. But Shiva is the destroyer, that is why it is considered inauspicious to serve Lord Shiva with vermilion.
Do not offer Tulsi to Lord Shiv
Offering Tulsi to Lord Shiva is also considered inauspicious. There is a story behind this. According to legend, Tulsi Mata’s name was Vrinda who was the wife of the demon Jalandhar and Jalandhar was killed by Lord Shiva. In such a state of grief, Vrinda cursed Lord Shiva and came in the form of a Tulsi plant. For this reason Tulsi Dal is not offered to Lord Shiva.
Do not offer Til to Lord Shiv
Offering Til to Lord Shiva is also considered taboo. Because Til was born from the dirt of Lord Vishnu. It is offered to ancestors and Shani Dev. It is only offered with water in Abhishekh for Shani dosh.
Don’t offer coconut to Lord Shiv
It is forbidden to anoint Shivling with coconut or coconut water. Because Shreefal is the form of Maa Lakshmi. That is why it is not offered to Lord Shiva.
Don’t offer water from Shankh to Lord Shiv.
Lord Shiv is not offered water from the conch shell. Because it is liked by Lord Vishnu. Along with this, Lord Shiv killed a demon named Shankhchud, the supreme devotee of Lord Vishnu. That is why it is not worshiped to Lord Shiva.
Never offer Mehndi to Lord Shiva
Mehndi is also used in cosmetics and it is also a symbol of Suhaag. That’s why they don’t offer it to Lord Shiva. Only haldi and mehndi are used before Shivratri as a mark of the marriage ritual of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
