Maha Shri Rudra Dhara with 11 Pots of Water

What is Shri Rudram?

Shri Rudram is a beautiful Vedic hymn from the Krishna Yajur Veda, chanted in praise of Lord Shiva. This is also known as Rudra Prasnam. Shri Rudram is regarded as the most effective hymn to propitiate Shiva.

What is a Dhara?

Dhara is a ritual performed with water, which is different from Abishekam. While in Abishekam the practice is to pour water gently on the idol, in Dhara small water particles are allowed to fall on it softly as a continuing process. Dhara literally means “gentle dripping of water.” For Dhara, a large pot of water is hung above the Shiv Lingam, so that water can keep on falling gently on the Lingam continuously, in the form of small droplets. 

How is Maha Shri Rudra Dhara with 11 Pots of Water Performed?

Maha Shri Rudra Dhara worship, normally undertaken in temples in Kerala, consists of ritualistic chanting of the powerful Shri Rudram while the Shiva Lingam is being drenched gently with the dripping of water. This sacred hymn has 11 sections, all in praise of Shiva, and all of them are chanted in this ritual, seeking the Lord’s blessings. 11 pots of water are kept as offerings in front of the deity as the chanting begins. As one section of Shri Rudram is completed, one of the 11 pots of water sanctified by the chanting is poured into the big pot hung above the Shiva Lingam, and this water ultimately lands on the Lingam. The process continues, so that the water from all 11 pots gets poured into the bigger pot, one after the other, as subsequent sections of the chanting are undertaken and Shri Rudram is completed.     

Benefits of Performing Maha Shri Rudra Dhara       

Maha Shri Rudra Dhara is a worship done exclusively for Lord Shiva. His blessings are many and varied, and they help in destroying sins, obtaining leadership positions, alleviating poverty, fear and diseases, fulfilling all material desires, absolving one from the effects of evil stars and bad karma, destroying enemies, removing illusion and enlightening the mind, gaining wealth, acquiring sound intelligence and getting good employment. Performance of this ritual also ensures sumptuous rainfall and prosperity of the land.