SHIVARATHRI VRATHAM AND PUJA PROCEDURES

One day prior to Shivarathri - only one time food to be consumed.  After getting up early in the morning and taking bathe, nithya karmanushtanam should be completed first. Pujas, followed by a visit to nearby Shiva temple to be undertaken next.  While in temple please make sure you prostrate with all limbs of body in front of the Dwajasthambam (flag staff) and not inside the temple precincts.  Ladies should prostrate keeping both the hands at the chest level and males should raise hands above head level to pray.  Besides this, devotees should refrain from unnecessary talks, doing Angapradakshinam, crossing in between Nandikesha and Lord Shiva, transfering the Vibuthi Prasadam from one hand to left hand, yawning, sneezing in front of the Lord.  Devotees are encouraged to provide bilvam, flowers and abhisheka dravyam (click here for list) to the temple visited in the morning hours. 

After taking bathe in the afternoon and indulge in Shivadhyanam, Shiva puja.  Bakthas are advised to secure flowers, bilvam and other abisheka Dravyams for the night puja.  Lord Shiva should be placed on a high petal and puja performed according to the following methods :-

1) First Jamam - Time: 6 pm to 9 pm
    Abhishekam : Panchagavyam (click here for methods to prepare panchagavym 1:2:3:1:1)
    Flower for Alankaram:  Bilvam
    Flor for Archanai      :  Lotus
    Naivedhyam            :  Payatham paruppu mixed Pongal (boiled rice with moongdal)
    Vedamantram          :  Rig veda to be recited

2) Second Jamam - Time: 9 pm to 12 pm
    Abhishekam : Panchamrutham (mixer of honey, sugar, milk, ghee, yoghurt or banana)
    Flower for Alankaram:  Chandan and Lotus flower
    Flower for Archanai  :  Thulasi
    Naivedhyam            :  Payasam
    Vedamantram          :  Yajur veda to be recited

3) Third Jamam - Time: 12 am to 3 am
    Abhishekam            :  Pure Honey 
    Flower for Alankaram:  Pasted pachaikarpooram and Jasmine flower
    Flower for Archanai  :  3 leave bilvam
    Naivedhyam            :  El Satham (Seasame boiled rice)
    Vedamantram          :  Sama Veda to be recited

4) Fourth Jamam - Time: 3 am to 6 am
    Abhishekam             :  Sugarcane Juice 
    Flower for Alankaram:  Pasted Safron with Nandiyavattai flower
    Flower for Archanai  :  Neelothbala flower
    Naivedhyam            :  Shudh Annam
    Vedamantram          :  Atharvana Veda to be recited

Having completed the puja whole night and spending sleepless night, take bathe, visit nearby Shiva Temple, visit Guru's house to receive His blessings and complete the Shivarathri puja by distributing alms to poor and needy.

Shiva bakthas who are not performing puja but spends sleepless night, should not play cards, spider game, watch movies.  However, they can pass the time by visiting Shiva temples, extending help in preparation of offerings (naivedhyam), listening to the glories of Lord Shiva etc.