The correct way to perform Shivling Abhishekam on Mahashivratri

Every year, Hindus all over the world observe the night of Mahashivratri. The Great night of Lord Shiva, Mahashivratri is all about meditation, energies, vibrations, chantings, and feeling Lord Shiva around you. Devotees meditate on and think about Lord Shiva, his Adiyogi form, the crescent moon of his head and how Maa Ganga flows through him. It is a sight to remember and a face to look upto.
In 2025, Mahashivratri will be observed on February 26, through early morning of February 27, and devotees will chant the name of Shiva, perform Abhishekams, visit the temples of Lord Shiva, and more.

A Shivling is believed to be and is worshipped as a symbol and form of Lord Shiva, and his infinite nature. The Shivling has a Lingam, the cylindrical structure that represents his cosmic energy and form, and the ‘Yoni’ or the base of the Shivling, which carries a strong feminine energy, the Shakti of the universe.
And in the two-part structure of the Shivling, it is not just Lord Shiva who is worshipped, but also Lord Ganesha, Lord Kartikeya, Ashok Sundari, and Maa Parvati.

One of the most common ways in which people perform Shivling Abhishek is by simply offering water or milk to Lord Shiva. They pour water or Panchamrit over the Shivling and think their deed is done. But what people forget is that it is not just Lord Shiva on the structure of the Shivling, but also his consort Maa Paarvati, and their children.
The most common ritual is pouring milk, water, honey, sugarcane juice, ghee, curd, and the likes over the Shivling, but people forget to offer water to the others.

The correct way to perform Abhishekam of the Shivling starts with the right direction. And the first offering is made to Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva’s son, without whom any worship and ritual is incomplete.
Start by pouring water on the right side of the Shivling, slightly ahead of the Lingam near the Yoni, and chant a simple mantra for Lord Ganesha.

After Lord Ganesha on the right side, there is Lord Kartikeya on the left side. The warrior son of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati, Kartikeya is worshipped extensively in the Southern parts of India, and he is present in the left side of the structure.
Offer water to him and chant a mantra to appease Lord Kartikeya.

After Lord Ganesha and Lord Kartikeya, it is time to offer water to Ashok Sundari, the lesser known child of Lord Shiva and Maa Parvati. She is the feminine energy in the Shivling structure and is regarded as the Goddess of beauty, wisdom, and wish fulfillment.
Ashok Sundari is present in the center, on the Yoni, right in front of the Shivlingam.

The fourth offering, just before Lord Shiva, is given to Maa Parvati. Devotees are advised to pour water in the clockwise direction, around the base of the Shivling, and like this Maa Parvati is revered with Lord Shiva.
When offering water to Maa Parvati, chant a simple mantra dedicated to her, or just chant ‘Om Namah Shivay’ during the whole ritual.

After Lord Ganesha, Kartikeya, Ashok Sundari, and Maa Parvati, water is offered to Lord Shiva in the form of the Lingam. Lord Shiva is offered a mix of water, honey, curd, milk, ghee, sugarcane juice, sandalwood, and more, and when devotees offer these mixtures to Lord Shiva, they ask and pray for good health, love, fortune, prosperity, and the likes.
When offering water to Lord Shiva, make sure to chant and jap ‘Om Namah Shivay’ with all your heart, concentration, and being.