Lord Shiva's most favorite food...

[Viraja]

Namaste,

I have taken a great liking for Lord Shiva. I want to pray to him going forth each day. I am interested in knowing what foods he likes the best, as evidenced from puranas, etc. For example, from hearsay I know that Lakshmi Narasimham likes foods containing jaggery (like Panaka), Murugan likes Panchamirtham (as is served in Palani hills), Lakshmi likes 'Chakkarai Pongal', Vinayaka likes 'modak', Hanuman likes 'Pepper Vada', etc...

Any authentic and interesting ideas, pl. do share.

Thanks.

 

[DeviChaaya]

Bilva leaf and fruit, betel leaf and nut, Datura flower and fruit and lest we not forget, bhang.

 

[Viraja]

Thank you Devi. Warm regards. (do you know how to do Shiva abhishekam -- a simple version for everyday worship -- by any chance?).

 

[DeviChaaya]

Thank you Devi. Warm regards. (do you know how to do Shiva abhishekam -- a simple version for everyday worship -- by any chance?).

When I perform abhishekam it is generally only with water but that's because it's less mess. Usually it's Gangajal (water from Ganga), milk, honey, ghee and curd (yoghurt), all preferably cool as they help to cool Lord Shiva's tapasic fire. You can offer jaggery over the lingam and a range of other things. Sandal wood water and vibhuti (sacred ash) are also offered. Kumkum is... not, from what I can remember.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Kumkum is turmaric powder dipped in lime, Sindoor is vermilion. Yes, water on work days and five liquids on week days. Also in order is to apply a fragrance to the lingam before dousing it with Abir (yellow powder) and Gulal (red powder). These are now made with natural products and chemicals are not used to manufacture them. But that will be costly in US (however, you do not need kilos of it) and be careful about allergies. We Indians are immune to such things.

Puja guidelines: Puja (Hinduism) - Wikipedia
Put on this recitation (Sri Rudram) during abhishekam:

 

[Jainarayan]

Kumkum is turmaric powder dipped in lime

Slaked lime, calcium hydroxide, not the fruit. That's what you're thinking of? I don't think lime juice will work, but that's not going to stop me from trying and seeing the results.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Yes, I meant Slaked lime, Calcium Hydroxide. Tell me about the results of your experiment.
Some times the pollen of some flowers also is used as Kumkum.

 

[Vinayaka]

Slaked lime, calcium hydroxide, not the fruit. That's what you're thinking of? I don't think lime juice will work, but that's not going to stop me from trying and seeing the results.

It doesn't work. Trust me. Kumkum also varies a lot, mostly by colour, so there must be other ways of making it as well. Some varieties seem more chemically based.

 

[Jainarayan]

It doesn't work. Trust me. Kumkum also varies a lot, mostly be colour, so there must be other ways of making it as well. Some varieties seem more chemically based.

OK, that's spares the lives of the limes in the fridge. There are two or three different kinds at the temple, different textures and colors, so I know what you mean. My father was a plasterer. I could have gotten pounds and pounds of lime and started my own kumkum business. Of course I didn't even know about it back then.

 

[Vinayaka]

OK, that's spares the lives of the limes in the fridge. There are two or three different kinds at the temple, different textures and colors, so I know what you mean. My father was a plasterer. I could have gotten pounds and pounds of lime and started my own kumkum business. Of course I didn't even know about it back then.

Hard to find caustic lime in small quantities. 50 pounds of kumkum is a bit much.

 

[Jainarayan]

Hard to find caustic lime in small quantities. 50 pounds of kumkum is a bit much.

True, too much of a good thing is no good. Besides, using so much turmeric I'd probably be covered in it and look jaundiced.

 

[SomeRandom]

Sugar, rice, milk, saffron, thandai and curd. And bhang of course. He also apparently likes the flower Datura (dhatura?), but as that is poisonous I would advise caution not to ingest it afterwards.
It got me thinking, does Lord Shiva's love of milk mean he especially likes sweets like Pera and Barfi? Because I'd join him if that were the case lol

 

[Jainarayan]

does Lord Shiva's love of milk mean he especially likes sweets like Pera and Barfi? Because I'd join him if that were the case lo

Kheer too, I would think.

 

[SomeRandom]

Kheer too, I would think.

Mate, my mum makes a mean Kheer

 

[Jainarayan]

Mate, my mum makes a mean Kheer

I haven't made it yet. I'm going to cheat and use GITS instant today. I'll make own though. I know it's easy-peasy.

 

[Vinayaka]

My Siva loves all pure sattvic food. He doesn't choose favorites. So too with how he views souls.

 

[SomeRandom]

I haven't made it yet. I'm going to cheat and use GITS instant today. I'll make own though. I know it's easy-peasy.

Protip, don't use any water. Only milk lol

 

[Jainarayan]

Protip, don't use any water. Only milk lol

Definitely. I use milk for almost everything. And none of the low-fat nonsense. I use all full-fat dairy. That's what God made, so who am I to gainsay him?

 

[SomeRandom]

Definitely. I use milk for almost everything. And none of the low-fat nonsense. I use all full-fat dairy. That's what God made, so who am I to gainsay him?

That's the right attitude
Full fat dairy Milk just as God intended.

 

[Aupmanyav]

Payasam, even God's like it. Kheer, Next best to full-fat milk.