From the archive record
Hindu priests chant mantras and worship Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati at Sree Vinayaka Mandir in New Delhi. Devotees also gather at the temple to participate in Rudrabhishek. Following the rituals prescribed in the Shiva Purana, every three hours, Shivalingam is given a special bath with milk, yogurt, honey, sandalwood paste and rose water. Puja, meditation and chanting of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ accompany the ritual bath. Following the bath, the vermilion paste is applied on the linga. Traditionally, leaves of a forest tree Aegle marmelos (bilwa, maredu, wood apple) are used for Shiva puja. Thereafter, Bilwa leaves, which have to be a stalk with three leaves, is kept on top of the Shivalinga. Ber or jujube fruit is a special offering to the god on this day. Beetle leaves are also offered by s