Sivarathri
Monthly Sivarathri or Pradosham occurs ever month on the Krishna paksha Chaturdasi.
It is special to visit Siva temples on this day to get peace and progress in life and safety from evil influences .
Of the 8 Vrathams of Siva, Sivarathri vratham is also one. The Sivarathri happens on the month of Maasi, on krishna paksha chaturti tithi.
It is very beneficial to perform the vratham on the Maha Sivarathri, which bestows the complete blessings of the Lord.
The vratham begins on the day of the Sivarathri, with the early morning pooja for Lord Siva.
The vratham continues throughout the day. During the evening, after a bath, a visit to the Siva temple and worship, by lighting a ghee lamp. Chanting the mantras and participating in prayers is good.
During the night of Sivarathri, it is better to participate in all the 4 poojas that are conducted through the night for the Lord Siva.
After bath the next morning after Sivarathri, the vratham is concluded with the darshan of the Lord Shiva.
When a vratham is performed in this manner, all the problems of the devotee vanishes into thin air.
When visiting the temple, after bath, a namaskaram outside the kodimaram is done, then pray Lord Ganesha before going in. Lord Siva has to be circumambulated three times and mother Goddess four times. All focus has to be with the Lord.
The prasadam received should not be spilled or thrown on the ground. We should not cross the space between the Sivalinga and Nandi deva.