Lord Shiva has various names, including Rudra, which is revered by devotees all across the world. Lord Shiva's Rudra form is ferocious and is the destructive nature of the Lord. Worshiping him is done through doing “Abhishekham”, which is believed to be the Lord’s favorite. The holy bath of the Shivling is known as Rudra Abhishek, and it is performed with offerings of a sacred mixture of liquids like as milk, gangajal, honey, curd, sugar, sandalwood paste, belpatra (wood apple tree leaves), flowers, and so on. Chanting of mantras is an integral part of performing the Shiv Rudra Abhishek and the vibrations created during the puja is filled with positive energy.
On our spiritual journey, out of the many processes which are required to be followed is this one beautiful process of offering food first to the diety (to the God) and then eating the remnants in the form of Prasad. During Mid-Day Bhog Nibedan, a ritual meal (bhog) is offered to Lord Shiva amidst chanting of mantras. The Head Priest offers auspicious items to the deity along with offering aromatic incense, fresh flowers, chamara to the Lord. The offering is later distributed among the devotees, in the form of ‘Prasadam’.
Sandhya arati refers to “evening duties” (ceremony of the Lord that is performed at sunset). Every evening at 6:00 pm, arati is performed to the Lord with incense, lamp, water, cloth, flowers, along with chanting mantras and singing to the Lord.
Every evening at 6 p.m, the Akhand yagya is performed to worship the Lord, the destroyer of all evil and the protector, with the prayer to synchronize the rhythm of work, prayer and spirituality for the collective well-being of our civilization and our bi-diversity. Offering are made in the ‘hawan-kunds’ along with chanting of mantras for the good of all mankind and ensure universal peace and prosperity.