Mahashivratri is a very auspicious and important festival in Hinduism, where Lord Shiva is worshipped with rituals. On this day, items like water, milk, bel leaves, dhatura, fruits, and sweets are offered on the Shivling. However, there is always a discussion among devotees about consuming the offerings made on the Shivling, and clear rules are mentioned in the Shivpuran regarding this.
Should the offerings placed on the Shivling be consumed or not?
According to the Shiva Purana, a devotee who fasts according to the rules and worships Lord Shiva should accept the offerings made to Shiva with joy and reverence. Consuming such offerings destroys all the devotee's sins and grants them immense merit. Especially for those who have taken initiation from Shiva, accepting the offerings and donations of the Shivling is considered extremely auspicious, while delay or refusal makes one a participant in sin. For example, even a person with grave sins like Brahmahatya becomes purified and sin-free by accepting Shiva's offerings.
However, some offerings are prohibited in the Shiva Purana. Offerings made on a Shiva Linga made of clay or stone should not be consumed or eaten by ordinary people, as they are dedicated to Shiva's followers and can cause distress if consumed. After the worship, it is necessary to properly bathe the Shiva Linga and wash the mouth three times with water, which destroys the sins of the body, speech, and mind.
The rules for offering prasad on the Shiva Linga are also strict. After the abhishek, panchamrit, sandalwood paste, rice grains, flowers should be offered, and prasad should be shown. In Shiva worship, ashes should be used instead of turmeric and vermilion, and consuming prasad touched by the Shaligram is considered auspicious. On Mahashivaratri, performing four periods of worship, vigil, and Rudrabhishek while fasting is traditionally considered to bring auspicious results.