All About Jalabishek for Lord Shiva

In Hinduism, devotees try to please and win the favor of deities by performing many rituals. Abishekam is one of them. In this ritual, various materials are used to hydrate the deity. They include water, milk, curd, ghee, honey, Ganga jal, sandalwood or turmeric paste, rose water, coconut water, etc. Abishekam can also be performed with things like sugar, flowers, fruits, Vibhuti/sacred ash, cooked rice, etc. It is essentially a sacred bath for the deity.

Many Indian temples are built as energy centers. One way to energize a temple is by performing Abishekam. During Abishekam, the priest pours libations on the deity while chanting Vedic Mantras.

 Our body comprises five elements. Water is 72 percent, Earth 12 percent, Air 6 percent, Fire 4 percent, and Akasha (Space) 6 percent. Water is a medium for transforming energy. The idol/sanctum sanctorum should be wet always, to ensure that the energy radiates at its peak. The presence of many people who visit the temple people depletes the energy; hence certain rituals are necessary to keep it at its peak. Abhishekam is one of these rituals.

The Abisheka water and other articles used to perform it are very holy and bestow many benefits on the devotees who receive it as Prasad. It makes the heart and spirit pure and destroys sins. It can promote harmony in the family and remove negative energies. It infuses positive vibrations in the environment and can protect one from natural calamities.

Shiva is an Abisheka Priya (meaning ‘one who loves Abisheka’). However, harsh penance is not required to please him. Instead, merely offering a vessel of water and belpatra or Jalabishek is enough to please him.

 Shiva’s Jalabhishek in Sawan

The churning of the Milky ocean occurred in the Hindu month of Sawan (July-August). During the churning, Halahala poison emerged from the ocean. To save the world from the poison, Shiva swallowed the poison, and it remained in his throat. As a result, his throat turned blue, and he got the name Neelkanth. To reduce the effects of the poison, all the deities offered water to Shiva. This happened in Sawan month. Hence, every year in Sawan, Jalabishek is performed for Shiva to please him and invoke his blessings.

 Rules for Jalabishek

★ Do not stand facing south or east while offering water to Shivling.   Always face north when offering water to the Shivling. The north direction is the left side of Shiva, where his consort, Parvati, dwells. When you offer water facing this direction, you can get the blessings of both Shiva and Parvati.

★ Do not offer water while standing, as it will not yield results. Offering water to Shivling in a sitting position is very auspicious.

★ Do not offer water to Shivling in a steel or iron vessel, as it is not auspicious. Instead, offer water from a copper vessel. Don't use a copper vessel if you are offering milk instead of water.

★ While offering water, the stream of water should not break.

★ Don’t offer water with a conch shell. Conch is prohibited in Shiva worship because a legend says that Shiva killed the demon Shankhchud, and the demon’s bones are part of the conch.

★ Time is also important when offering water to Shivling. Offering water from 5 am to 11 am is very fruitful. Do not offer water in the evening, as you will get the fruit of the worship.

★ Do not mix other materials in the water. It reduces the purity of water.

 How to Offer Water to Shivling

• Offer the water slowly while chanting the Shiva Mantra.
•  Take water in a copper, bronze, or silver vessel.
•  Offer water on the right side of Jalhari, which is the place of Lord Ganesha.
•  Chant Ganesha Mantra while offering water.
•  After you offer water on the right side, offer it on the left side, which is the place of Lord Kartikeya.
•  After offering on both sides, offer water in the middle of the Jalhari. This is the place of Ashok Sundari, the daughter of Shiva.
•  After this, offer water to the circular part of the vessel. This is the place of Goddess Parvati.
•  Finally, offer water to the Shivling slowly, chanting Shiva Mantra all the while.

 Benefits of Offering Water to Shivling on Different Days

 Monday

Monday is a very special day to appease Shiva, as it is dedicated to Shiva. By offering him water on Monday, your wishes may come true, and you will gain mental peace. Also, chant Mahamrityunjaya Mantra on Monday as it can heal many diseases, problems and obstacles.

 Tuesday

Offering water to Shivling on Tuesday brings blessings from all the gods and goddesses and success at work.

 Wednesday

Offering water to Shivling on Wednesday removes obstacles in getting married. It also bestows a happy married life.

 Thursday

Offering water on Thursday brings success in education. It also boosts concentration.

 Friday

Offering water on Fridays brings happiness in married life and removes domestic problems.

 Saturday

As per the Shiva Purana, offering water to Shiva on Saturday eliminates the fear of untimely death.

 Sunday

Offering water on Sunday brings Shiva’s blessings as well as special blessings from Goddess Lakshmi. You will not lack money either.

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