Mahashivratri 2023: How to offer Belpatra on Shivling? Know the rules of breaking and surrendering...

The holy festival of Mahashivaratri is on 18 February. Belpatra is the most important part of the worship of Lord Shiva on the day of Mahashivaratri. Worship of Lord Shiva is considered incomplete without Belpatra. According to religious beliefs, Lord Shiva is pleased by offering Belpatra and his head remains cool. Explaining the importance of belpatra in Shivpuran, it is described that whoever offers belpatra to Lord Shiva in the month of Sawan, gets virtue equal to 1 crore kanyadaan. Know the rule of offering belpatra on Shivling, the rule of breaking belpatra, and its benefits.

Benefits of offering Belpatra on Shivling
1. Offering Belpatra to Lord Shiva removes poverty and increases wealth.

2. Those women who offer belpatra at the time of Shiv Puja, get unbroken good fortune.

3. To fulfill the wishes, writing Ram or Om Namah Shivay should be offered sandalwood on Belpatra.

4. Shiva's grace is received by offering Belpatra to Lord Bholenath. The crisis will go away and health will be good.

5. People who have the Bilva tree in their homes are free from sins. Worshiping under the tree gives virtuous results.

Rules for offering Belpatra on Shivling
1. Always offer three leaves of belpatra to Lord Shiva. There should be no stain or blemish in it.

2. Cut-torn or withered belpatra should not be offered on Shivling.

3. After washing the belpatra with clean water, its smooth part should be offered on the Shivling. The dry part should be kept upwards.

Also Read: When Is Mahashivaratri This Year? Know the importance of auspicious time, auspicious yoga, worship method, and fast

4. If you do not have belpatra at the time of worship, then you can wash the belpatra offered there with clean water and offer it to Shivji again. Belpatra is never stale or false.

5. At least 1 belpatra can be offered to Lord Shiva. Belpatra is also offered in the numbers 11, 21.

Rules for breaking the belt
1. Remember Lord Shiva before breaking the belpatra. Then after breaking it, we salute the tree.

2. Belpatra should not be plucked along with the whole branch.

3. Do not break Belpatra Chaturthi, Ashtami, Navami Tithis, Pradosh Vrat, Shivratri, Amavasya and Mondays.

4. When one Tithi is ending and another Tithi is starting, then Belpatra should not be broken at that time.